Ahh, Western Australia, how we miss your incredible beaches and sunsets over the ocean.
We said it often during our six months road tripping throughout WA that we believe you have the best beaches in Australia. That’s a big call, considering Australia has over 10,000 beaches and we really are spoilt for choice, but for shear quality and quantity of stunning beaches I think Western Australian beaches just come out on top.
Many of them have that pure white sand for digging your toes into, crystal clear turquoise water perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and if you’ve never seen a sunset over the ocean, WA will blow your mind! Not to mention they are a lot less crowded and developed compared to east coast beaches.
We didn’t visit every beach in the state, and choosing our faves took some thought, but below is a list of our personal favourites.
Please share down below in the comments section any beach we have left off this list that you think should be added.
21 Best Beaches in Western Australia
1. The Basin, Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located 18 kilometres off the coast of Perth, and The Basin is my favourite beach on Rotto. A stunning beach, you could be forgiven for thinking you were actually on the Great Barrier Reef. Just off the beach a hole in the platform reef forms a large natural swimming pool.
The Basin is sheltered and very popular with families and great for snorkellers (ideal for novices) due to shallow reefs and gentle swells. Once you’re done swimming in the turquoise water and laying on the soft white sand, walk up to the top of the rocky headland for an incredible view.
2. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth
Exmouth is a town on the Coral Coast of Western Australia, a 15 hour drive north of Perth and Turquoise Bay is reason enough to visit. You’re swimming within metres of famous Ningaloo Reef, and the “Bay” is brilliant for swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing.
Don’t miss the popular drift snorkel, one of the coolest snorkelling experiences you can have. Park at the “drift car park” for direct access and swim out a few metres and let the current carry you north, exiting before the sand bar which is prone to strong currents!
3. Cable Beach, Broome
Cable Beach has it all and ranks in our top three favourite beaches in Australia. Sand dunes that roll down changing from the red soil to light orange, to eventually fade into pure white sand as it reaches the turquoise Indian Ocean.
If you have never viewed an ocean sunset, Cable Beach is the place to be and you can admire the setting sun from the sand, a sunset bar or atop a camel. Perfect for long walks, beach cricket, 4wd tailgating, camel rides, swims and an evening picnic on the fabulous grassed area, Cable Beach is deserving of it’s spot as one of the world’s best beaches!
4. Hamelin Bay, Margaret River
Possibly the most picturesque beach in the Margaret River region. Fine white sand, crystal clear turquoise water, and natural dunes. Great spot for swimming, snorkeling and apparently scuba diving.
But that’s not all, Hamelin Bay is the best place we’ve seen wild stingrays in Australia. They come right into shore and swim around your feet. Just head down towards the boat ramp and you’ll see the crowd gathered. Amazing!
5. Bill’s Bay at Coral Bay
I’m happy to say Coral Bay lived up to its reputation as one of Western Australia’s favourite family holiday spots, with Bill’s Bay, the main beach in town, being the highlight.
It’s a huge, sweeping bay protected by the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park making it a snorkeling and swimming paradise. The water is crystal clear turquoise blue and large fish swim around your ankles in the shallows and we even got lucky and saw a few rays close to shore.
Swim or snorkel straight offshore and admire the coral, or start snorkeling at the point and let the current carry you back to Bill’s Bay.
6. Elephant Rocks, Denmark
Elephant Rocks is located 15 kilometres from the town of Denmark in William Bay National Park, about a 4.5 hour drive from Perth. Whilst it might seem off the beaten track, it’s a must if you’re in the south-west region of WA.
Take the short walk from the carpark along a coastal track and you’re rewarded with a stunning view out over the Great Southern Ocean. If you’re looking at the rocky outcrop from a particular view point you’ll see that it’s called Elephant Rocks because it resembles a herd of elephants paddling in the shallow waters.
Another magic family beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
7. Little Beach, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, near Albany
Little Beach, 35 kilometres east of Albany is a beautiful white beach and one of the nicest beaches on the south-west coast. Turquoise water, white sand, and a giant stone against the sea make this beach a must-see in the region.
We didn’t swim on this occasion but enjoyed a lovely beach walk and picnic at the far end, don’t forget your own supplies.
8. Yallingup Beach, Margaret River Region
One for the surfers in the family. Yallingup Beach has powerful surf and our morning ritual usually consisted of grabbing a coffee from the mobile coffee man at Yallingup point car park and watching the surfers ride the waves.
Yallingup is also a favourite spot for snorkelers due to the sheltered swimming lagoon at the southern end of the beach, and there’s a great kid friendly swimming area and a nice long stretch of beach heading north for a walk.
9. Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island
Beneath the Bathurst Point Lighthouse on Rottnest Island lies Pinky Beach, another one of Rottos to die for beaches.
An easy stroll from the main town at Thomson Bay, Pinkies sparkling blue water and white sand makes for a postcard perfect beach. Get here early and take a morning dip and you just might have this beach all to yourself!
10. Cottesloe Beach, Perth
Cottesloe is a beach-side suburb about a 15 minute drive from the city of Perth, famous for its beach, cafes, relaxed lifestyle, and Sunday sessions.
For a city beach, Cottesloe is one of the better one’s. Because of its crystal clear water it’s a popular place for swimming and snorkeling. Perth sure knows how to put on a sunset show and Cotts is the place to be with take away fish & chips and a cold bevvy.
11. Meelup Bay, Margaret River Region
Family friendly Meelup Bay is another picturesque beach in the Margaret River region. Our kids happily played in the sand here and enjoyed a swim in the calm waters whilst mum and dad kicked back on the grass and read a book.
For the adventurous there’s kayaks for hire which seemed like a popular activity with plenty of local folks out on the water.
12. Sandy Bay, Exmouth
We found paradise at Sandy Bay, and had it all to ourselves – I love that about WA beaches! This beach easily made our list of 38 best beaches in Australia for good reason!
Endless white sand, crystal clear water, dark blue skies and the shallow waters of Sandy Bay made it an excellent beach for our kids, and apparently it’s a popular place for kite surfers when the wind is right.
There’s a picnic table with shade overlooking the beach for a lunch break or brekky, or just as good is grabbing a spot on the sand (there’s plenty of space).
13. Little Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island
One of the most popular bays on Rottnest Island and another favourite spot for families. Sheltered and calm, Little Salmon Bay is one of the best snorkelling sites around Rotto suitable for young kids and beginner snorkellers – rich in fish life with some of the best coral reefs on the island.
Even if you’re not into snorkeling, you can still take in the beauty with just a swim or relax on the sand.
14. Lucky Bay, Esperance
Cape Le Grand National Park is home to Lucky Bay, a 45 minute drive from the town of Esperance. You’ve probably seen photos of Lucky Bay, that famous beach with kangaroos hopping about and who can’t resist lazing on the sand here.
Besides kangaroos, Lucky Bay is undoubtedly pretty and open to four wheel driving, although the sand is that compacted you could drive almost any car on the beach.
Whilst I wrote in a previous post that I wouldn’t hurry back to Esperance, it’s hard to keep Lucky Bay off the list of best beaches in WA.
15. Town Beach, Broome
Town Beach in Broome is nowhere near as popular as Cable Beach, but come here at high tide and you’ll get a pretty picture, the full turquoise colour picture – you won’t see a more divine breakfast view then this in WA.
But do return at low tide as well as the tide goes so far out you can walk out on the squelchy mud flats, and on really low tides you can walk a kilometre out to the wreckage of the World War II flying boats, sunk during the bombing by the Japanese.
Town Beach also plays host to the natural phenomena called Staircase to the Moon. As the moon rises above the mud flats shining its light upon it so it looks like stairs leading up to it.
16. Prevelly & River Mouth, Margaret River
The closest beach to the town of Margaret River, Prevelly is famous around the surfing world as being home to the pro surfing event held every April at Surfers Point. That’s one sporting event I’d like to witness. The coastline is stunning here as you drive down into Prevelly.
But our family favourite is the kid friendly River Mouth, just around the bend. The shallow and calm water makes it a top spot for the kids to have a paddle on their boogie boards and a swim. And it seemed a popular spot with the locals for stand up paddle boarding and kayaking.
17. Green Pools, Denmark
A few hundred metres walk around the headland from Elephant Rocks is Greens Pool, another picturesque swimming area definitely worth a visit when in Denmark.
Not quite as pretty as Elephant Rocks, but still a lovely sheltered area to swim, snorkel and relax.
18. Little Parakeet Bay, Rottnest Island
On the northern side of Rottnest, Little Parakeet Bay is a secluded cove ideal for swimming and snorkeling, especially for young kids like ours learning to snorkel due to the shallow and clear water.
It’s a little gem and was relatively quiet when we visited late in the afternoon, and the bay is littered with jagged rock formations which make a lovely backdrop.
19. Waterfall Beach, Albany
Keep walking over the headland from the before mentioned Little Beach in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and you’ll come to Waterfall Beach, and it’s totally worth the short climb.
In season, a small waterfall winds its way to the ocean through a rock crevasse. As for the beach, it’s stunning. The water once again is that beautiful turquoise, and the bay is much more sheltered from the wind and waves than Little Beach.
Secluded and private. Don’t forget to pack supplies.
20. Twilight Beach, Esperance
Drive west out of Esperance and 7km along the Great Ocean Drive will bring you to Twilight Beach, the most popular swimming and surfing beach in the Esperance area. I preferred it to Lucky Bay, definitely easier to access.
The calm, pristine waters of Twilight makes for an idyllic spot for swimming and snorkelling. As the beach curves to the southwest it becomes increasingly protected by two offshore rocks. This beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers during the summer months making it ideal for families.
21. Shell Beach
Not a beach to swim at or lay around on, but Shell Beach is interesting in that the actual beach you see here has been created by millions of tiny shells and is worth a look if you are doing the World Heritage Drive in the Shark Bay region.
Plan Your Trip in West Australia
We’ve been traveling consistently for 17 years and have come to rely on a few trusted websites that save us money and time when booking accommodation, flights and car rental. Below are our preferred partners:
Flights Car Rental
Exactly the inspiration I need for some WA road trip planning of my own! Loving this
Happy to hear you are planning a WA visit Katie. Definitely a state that deserves a good road trip!
Hi Caz and Craig,
Thanks for sharing your experiences and the amazing pictures… these colours, such clear water… makes us wanting to go back to WA immediately.
We’ve got one more beach to add. The coastline and beach at the James Price Point, between Broome and Cape Leveque was one of our favourite in WA.
Cheers,
Reni
Thanks Reni for adding that beach. I visited James Price Point very briefly and it did look amazing! Go Broome!! 🙂
This excellent post was perfect timing for us as we’ve just booked our flight tickets from Bali to Perth in 4 weeks time as part of our RTW trip – and then it’s on the road to Exmouth to explore that amazing coastline. Spoilt for choice by the look of it!
Happy to hear that Ian. WA rocks. Perth is nice and I highly recommend Rottnest Island, Margaret River region, Coral Bay, Exmouth, Karijini National Park and Broome. Here’s a link to all our WA posts: https://www.ytravelblog.com/category/western-australia/
Hi Craig,
I’ve spent some time in Melbourne and never found some beach that suites me. I would appreciate if you give me some detail about beaches you listed; is there calm sea water? I ask, in case we turn back to Australia. We would not like to stay in city but not far from one of this beaches. Also, we are not going to sell an apartment we have in Europe. It means, we would need some modest accommodation for two of us. Something we would be able to pay from our Centrelink penssion.
Best regardes,
Marija
WOW!!! Gorgeous!! I have always wanted to go to WA and now you just made me want to go even more!! It sure looks amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
More people need to visit WA Tine instead of the typical east coast route. Such an amazing state!
They sure should! So far I have only been through the outback and to Melbourne and Sydney, but the outback was incredible! And it is also a shame that people skip the most of it and just see Uluru….I am going on an exchange in Australia next year and then I will visit WA for sure!
Good to hear. Yep, the Outback is awesome too! Enjoy your exchange program and exploring OZ.
Many many thakns for your information and advice….i like to travel beach.so now it is easy for me about beach…hopefully next vacation i will go
We have BEACHES Eva 🙂
Hi Craig, great choice of beaches!!! I chose similar ones for my top 10 list of the most iconic must-visit beaches in WA (linked to that post in the URL field if you want to check it out sometime). I’m inspired to write another list of my personal favourite beaches, many of which are not so renowned and iconic but just as amazing in their own ways… there are just too many to list though once I start thinking!
Would like to visit ALL the beaches in WA Bonny. I’m sure we’ve just scratched the surface and a list could be endless 🙂
Woooow, simply perfect pictures!
Wanna go there instantly!
xx
ani from ani-hearts
♥
Oh my gosh! These beaches are so gorgeous….I think it would be hard to decide what to visit and what to skip. I am sharing this with my sis (she’s going to Australia in July).
Yep, we are spoilt for choice down here. Thanks for sharing it with your sister Renuka!
Couldn’t agree more, we do have the best beaches over here in the west!
You do beaches better than most.
Wow, what a fantastic post, and depicts (just one of the natural phenomena) why we love living in WA. I think you’ve done a fantastic job in picking the top 21 beaches, and you’ve enticed me to visit many on the north west coast which we haven’t yet been to. Although not quite as pretty as many of these you highlight Ive always enjoyed Koombana Bay in Bunbury. It’s also a great spot for kids, coffee and a cafe on tap, and if you’re lucky you could be swimming with a dolphin or two as well.
Cheers Jo. You have a great backyard over there in WA. Sounds good about Koombana Bay in Bunbury – good for kids, coffee and a cafe on tap, sign me up!!!
What a sweet reading story! I enjoyed the story and watched the nice pictures. It couldn’t be imagined that the nature is so pretty without reading the story and watching the pictures. I wish, I must be there some day to see the beauty of the beaches. Thank you so much for presenting the nice story.
Very pretty in WA Ibrahim.
ee are hoping to see a few of them in our trip in September. I have been to Jurien Bay though and absolutely think the sunsets there one of the best
GREAT sunsets in WA too Karen.
It is almost embarrassing to say that we’ve been to WA and somehow managed to not see any of these gorgeous beaches (we’ve been to Perth and a small town near Esperance). Anyways, this post is proof that WA is not only worth one visit, but several! Well done 🙂
Absolutely, it’s a BIG state. Hope you get to set foot on one of these beaches soon Tanbay 🙂
How did cott get a mention the only thing that’s exceptional about cott is sculptures by the sea heaps better metro beaches.
Please share some metro beaches with us Dan. We only had time to visit Cott and Scarborough which was ok, nothing special. As a family we enjoy Cott and the sunsets.
I love all the lorikeets in the pines at sunset in Cott! Cott is easy for travellers to access on public transport too. I come from Canada and live in Cottesloe now and still feel so lucky every day. It’s like living in a postcard! The WA coast line is breath taking at every turn. And Ningaloo … oh my!
Great! I am going to check out the article its very informative thanks to share this.
As a native W.A. bloke, I’ve been to many of the beaches in your selection. I would also add another Lucky Bay. Located on the West Coast (around 20 klicks north of Port Gregory) It is sheltered by a natural sea wall with excellent sand, snorkeling and water clarity. The flat water suits little kids and adults alike. One can walk along the rock seawall and have the Indian Ocean bubble over your ankles. This water constantly flushes the bay. There is various corals growing inside the bay including Brain and Plate Coral. Stacks of sand to crank up a BBQ and sip a coldie or ten. It’s one of my favs.
Another Lucky Bay in WA? Wow, never knew that Don. We did visit Pink lake at Port Gregory on our way through. Thanks for the heads up!
That was the first beach that came to my mind.
You have some great beaches here, but I would also add Gull Rock Beach in Albany, not only is it a great beach but you get an amazing view of King George Sound when you walk from the Ledge Beach end of it around the Mt Martin walk trail.
One of the absolutely best things about the beaches in Albany and Esperance is the fine white sand, I haven’t found any beaches the same anywhere else.
Thanks for the Gull Rock Beach tip Debbie!
Loved this display of our beaches here in the west! Amazing photography to show them at their best. I have been to all but one and think you have done an awesome job at promoting our amazing and varied coastline.
Thanks Peta. We loved our time in WA.
Loved the Waterfall Beach. So beautiful.
Exactly the inspiration I need for some WA road trip planning of my own! thanks for sharing
Your welcome. Hope you get to see WA
Your photo of the river mouth at Prevelly made me want to pack my bags for W.A. We spent 2 years in Perth in our early 20’s and spent every week-end and holiday scouring the country-side before eventually driving our van back over the top to Townsville. The vegetation around the beach in that photo took me back and in an instant I felt I really was there. That is what I love about photos. These are all fantastic. No favourites.
Thanks Jan. WA is a special place. It must have been hard for you to leave. Have you been back to visit at all?
Hi,
I have read your blog, really nice places you have shared for picnic.
Thanks guys for a fantastic sample of what WA has to offer. For those who self drive and have 2 weeks spare you have provided a very worthy itinerary. For those who are only on a short visit to Perth, I recommend the drive/walk/ride from Trigg beach (just north of Scarborough) to Hillarys Harbour ending at Sorrento Beach for a couple of nights stay watching the amazing sunsets from your balcony, just 76 steps from the beach.
Cheers Andrew. And appreciate your tips on a short visit to Perth!
Hi,
Really beautiful beaches , you have shared.
Didn’t you visit Mandurah in WA?
Nice beaches there too! But Rottnest beaches are gorgeous, I agree and the lengthy paradise beaches up Broome way are just glorious
Well done guys, absolutely awesome list of WA beaches. I didn’t disagree with any of them.
I’ve been to many of them (but not all) and I’ve always said Cable beach, The Basin and Cottesloe are the best.
Craig, did you go north of Scarborough to Trigg? It is one of the best surfing beaches in the state, it is beautiful and north of the main beach is a series of seal pretty beaches with beautiful marine life with rocky outcrops. Great swimming beaches for kids and great fishing. Paradise!
West Australian beaches are truly top of the line swim destinations. Very nice images specially the Elephant Rocks. Very interesting.
You missed Busselton beach. The most amazing beach in the world! (Now isn’t that a big call ha ha) but really it is
Wow! The water colour is to die for .My friend Diane is so right about the beaches in Western australia being so stunning
Great showcase of all my favourite beaches. I think you have captured the best of the best when it comes to the popular ones. From a proud West Australian, thank you for spruiking our praises with your beautiful images!
Glad you enjoyed the write up Colleen!
love time spent last year in Exmouth wa going back in june this year for 4 weeks
Cottesloe, definately. Married my gorgeous wife there.
Wonderful post guys, you have done a great job and by in large you have got it in a nut shell, there are a couple that you may have missed one near Carnarvon- Gnarloo , Shark Bay out at the NP – Perron, Kooljaman Cape Leveque but hey how long do you make your list right. Great write up guys.
I an now living in western New York but I grew up not just in Perth, Western Australia but in Cottesloe itself. I was, in the summer, something of a beach boy because I enjoyed endless days at Cottesloe Beach. Many of the beaches you have written about I have been to so this took me back in time. Thank you so much for your stories and your photos. Western Australia does indeed have the very best beaches, not just in Australia, but in the world.
You gave me great ideas for our trip to WA. Thanks a lot.
Glad to hear it Sandra. Hope you get to visit many of these beaches in Western Australia. WA does beaches as good as anyone!
Hi, Your blog is really amazing. I travelled great southern region of WA. I think you mix up with Little beach (here no 7) and Waterfall beach ( here no 19). Both pictures are from Little beach. Waterfall beach actually in William Bay NP, Denmark. It’s near green pool and elephant rock but further down so not too many people go there. It’s really awesome beach. Anyway thanks for sharing your experience. Happy traveling. Keep writing 🙂
No Waterfall Beach is hidden around from Little Albany. You have to walk through the bush to get to it. They both look very similar but are different beaches. I didn’t know about the one near Denmark though so thanks for the tip
Yip and these are only the tip of the Iceberg and only some of the major beaches! Plenty still to see in WA! Lol
Hi Craig, your blog and PICTURES are amazing! Because of this, I’m now planning to go to Australia this year. I have a sib in Perth and hoping we could tour together.
Keep up the good work. You have such an eye in nature photography.
We are travelling from Broome to Adelaide October this year, we want to do as much coast as possible in a Motorhome, would like some safe free camping areas on the way. Where can we look?
WE have a lot of content on our site that can help you. Follow the Australia tab in the destinations for lots of ideas and tips.