21 Best Beaches in Western Australia You Must Visit!

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Kimberley & North WA Beaches

Cape Leveque, Dampier Peninsula

The red earth of the Kimberleys meets the sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, 200 kilometres north of Broome, at Cape Leveque on the Dampier Peninsula.

Accessible only by four-wheel-drive down kilometres of red sand tracks, reaching this remote corner of Western Australia is no doubt an adventure, but one well worth the effort.

You won’t find resorts, hotels, or even an IGA out here. Rather, a number of basic beach camping resorts are scattered across the cape, each offering something a little different in one of the country’s most remote locations.

Watch for migrating humpback whales from the headlands. Swim and snorkel in the warm waters. Walk the incredible beaches to discover rock pools, caves, and sea cliffs.

Eighty Mile Beach, Pilbara

Stretching for over 200 kilometres, Eighty Mile Beach is a vast and remote coastline perfect for fishing, beach driving and birdwatching.

It’s also a very popular spot on a Broome to Perth road trip, for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and windsurfing. It also draws in crowds for camping and beach four-wheel driving.

Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park is an essential feeding ground for small wading birds that migrate here each summer, travelling from other countries that are thousands of kilometres away.

It is also a significant nesting area for flatback turtles – only found in northern Australia. Within the water, you might even be lucky to spot dugongs, dolphins and sawfish.

Coral Coast Beaches

Turquoise Bay, Exmouth

Located within the amazing Cape Range National Park near the town of Exmouth, Turquoise Bay is just as beautiful as it sounds and one of the best snorkelling spots in Australia.

With soft white sand and vibrant turquoise waters, it’s consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in Australia. When it comes to the perfect beach day, it’s hard to find a more scenic spot than this!

A short swim from the beach will bring you to the most beautiful coral gardens. Swim alongside a huge array of colourful fish, turtles and if you’re lucky, maybe even a few reef sharks!

To snorkel at Turquoise Bay nature reserve, you should be a fairly confident swimmer due to strong currents. It is classified as a drift snorkelling spot.

Monkey Mia Beach

Western Australia is home to many amazing beaches, but one of the most special is Monkey Mia Beach. Every day, the local dolphins come to visit the beach, hoping for a feed of fish, and visitors can watch and take part in the experience.

The first dolphin feeding of the day takes place around 8 am, with up to two more feedings until midday.

There’s a strict system in place these days to feed the dolphins in a sustainable manner, with local researchers and volunteers running the program. To help fund the program, an entrance fee applies.

However, feeding the dolphins isn’t the only activity on offer at Monkey Mia.

The gorgeous beach is also perfect for walks and for swimming during the warmer months. When the water is calm, consider hiring a kayak or SUP. You can also join morning wildlife or sunset cruises from the jetty.

To best enjoy all that Monkey Mia has to offer, consider staying in the adjacent RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. There’s a wide range of accommodation from beachfront villas to campsites.

Perth & Surrounds Beaches

Cottesloe Beach 

One of the most popular beaches in Perth, Cottesloe Beach, offers crystal clear water and lovely white sand fringed by Norfolk Pine trees.

It is one of those beaches that you can spend hours on end just sitting and watching the waves roll into shore. But if you like to be active, there is plenty to do here.

Along with offering a safe patrolled swimming area, you can also book surf lessons or try snorkelling.

Considered one of Perth’s best surf beaches, especially for beginners. It provides an idyllic destination for surfers wanting to catch a few waves and sunbathers who want to soak up the sunshine.

Peters Pool at North Cottesloe Beach is a brilliant spot for beginners to pull on a mask and fins. If you are lucky, you might spot one of the leafy sea dragons that are found here.

If you are here in March, don’t miss the annual Sculptures by the Sea exhibition.

Cottesloe is halfway between the city centre of Perth and Fremantle. It is just over a 20-minute drive by car or using public transport with one of the regular bus and train services.

Check out our comprehensive guide of things to do in Fremantle with kids.

Mullaloo Beach

Mullaloo Beach is a famous beach on the northern outskirts of the coast of Perth.

Tourists love this sandy white strip of beach with the clear water from the Indian Ocean crashing on its shore. The view during sunsets is what makes visitors come back here again and again.

It’s considered the best beach to swim at in all of Perth. The waves here are not too crazy, and Surf Lifesavers patrol the area at all times, making this a great Perth beach for kids.

Rent a bike to explore Mullaloo Beach along with other neighbouring beaches here.

There’s also a great fishing spot just north of the main parking area. The area is equipped with a beach wheelchair to enable beach access to people requiring wheelchair assistance.

Other Incredible Beaches Near Perth

For more great beaches near Western Australia’s capital that are worth visiting, check out Scarborough Beach, City Beach, Trigg Beach, Bathers Beach and Port Beach if you are looking for more of the best beaches near Perth.

They are all located within a short drive of 30 minutes or less. It isn’t often there are so many wonderful beaches so close to the city centre! Perth is definitely a capital city you won’t want to skip!

Don’t forget to pack the essentials! Grab our free printable beach packing list for day trips and longer beach vacations!

Esperance & South Coast Beaches

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park

Lucky Bay is possibly one of the most iconic Western Australia beaches. This spot near Esperance has become famous on social media due to the wild kangaroos that are known to frequent the beach. 

You’ll find Lucky Bay within Cape Le Grand National Park, home to some other amazing beaches in Esperance.

There is a small campsite located at the beach, with advance bookings required through DPAW.  

Lucky Bay is one of the few places in WA where you can drive your 2WD out onto the beach. The fine, brilliant white sand is very compacted, making it suitable for most cars.

Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks, Denmark

Located in Denmark within William Bay National Park, Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks are stunning beaches with turquoise water and pristine white sand. The perfect stop on Perth to Esperance road trip.

Greens Pool forms a natural rock pool sheltered from the swell by big boulders – it is a great spot for families. A short walk away, Elephant Rocks is named after the huge rocks that resemble elephants.

The beach gets busy in summer, so make sure you arrive early to get a parking spot. Bring your snorkel to check out the fish hanging out in the pool.

The region is also known for its excellent wine, so while here, pay a visit to one of the wineries for a tasting.

Hellfire Bay

Situated within Cape Le Grand National Park, Hellfire Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Esperance. It was named after St Elmo’s fire – a bluish flame that occurs above a ship’s masts.

The beautiful turquoise water looks unreal and the sand at the beach is white and powdery like the icing sugar and it squeaks as you walk on it.⁣⁣

The best thing about Hellfire Bay is that it is a protected bay and almost hidden because of the giant boulders that surround it. These conditions make it a safe beach to go swimming and snorkelling.

A part of the coastal trail walk can also be done from Hellfire Bay.

If you are not willing to venture too far along the walking trails, then visit the nearby Little Hellfire Bay, which can be only accessed on foot by doing the coastal trail walk.

If you are looking for easy access to Hellfire Bay and to most of the best beaches in Esperance then it is best to stay at Lucky Bay campgrounds as it is the nearest accommodation. 

Wharton Beach

Wharton Beach is located in the Duke of Orleans Bay, around an hour’s drive from Esperance. The beach is a popular spot with locals.

The beach is known for its beautiful turquoise waters and soft white sand. The sand is so fine that it actually squeaks!

Wharton Beach is one of the most popular surfing spots in the southern region, and you might even spot a pod of dolphins joining you in the waves.

South West Beaches

Meelup Beach, Dunsborough

Meelup Beach is definitely one of the best beaches in Western Australia. Located 3 hours south of Perth, in the Dunsborough region, Meelup is a tranquil and picturesque beach. The sand is bright white and the water is a crystal-clear shade of turquoise.

Meelup Beach is a great spot for families to relax and soak up the sun, and a must-visit during your Margaret River region itinerary. It was one of our favourite areas!

As the beach sits within Geographe Bay, it is protected from harsh surf and strong winds.

The calm water makes it the perfect spot to try stand up paddle boarding, ocean kayaking or even to go for a snorkel. Equipment can even be rented right on the beach.

Gnarabup Beach, Margaret River

Gnarabup Beach, just 10-minutes from Margaret River, is a 1.6-kilometre-long white sandy beach that is perfect for swimmers, walkers, and even surfers!

At Gnarabup Beach, the water is calm enough for swimming, and as such, hanging out at the beach is one of the most popular things to do in Margaret River in the summer months.

If you head out to the reef break, there is great surf here too.

There is a dog-friendly section at the beach so you can bring your furry friend!

Hamelin Bay Beach

Hamelin Bay is a secluded beach located in the southwest region of Western Australia between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste.

It is known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and picturesque views, perfect for swimming, fishing and snorkelling.

The biggest drawcard of Hamelin Bay, though, is the chance to see an abundance of stingrays that frequent the bay area.

This makes it one of the favourite snorkelling experiences of many when visiting Western Australia, with the chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat up close.

There are also several shipwrecks in the area and plenty of unique fish life to see during a snorkelling trip around the area.

Rottnest Island

Are you planning a Western Australia beach holiday soon? No doubt any of these WA beaches would be worth visiting!

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