There’s nothing more quintessentially Australian than surf and sand, and nowhere better to find it than Western Australia. From the tropical waters and sunsets of Cable Beach to the windswept surf beaches of Margaret River, Western Australia’s beaches have it all.
Northern Beaches
The coastline of the Kimberley and the tropical north of Western Australia hosts some of the most beautiful and remote beaches imaginable. Read about them in more detail here.
Cable Beach - Broome
A 22km expanse of gorgeous, golden sand fringed by the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. This is arguably one of Australia's finest beaches and perfect for sunbathing.
Watching the sun set out over the Indian Ocean, either from the Sunset Lounge at Cable Beach Club Resort, or while enjoying a camel ride along the beach, is a Broome institution.
Cape Leveque - The Kimberley
The coastline in this remote region on the Dampier Peninsula, over 200km north of Broome, features endless deserted coves and stunning beaches, backed by spectacular red cliffs and rock formations.
- Eighty Mile Beach - Ideal break for a journey between Broome and Karijini National Park.
Coral Coast
This region is home to the Ningaloo Reef, where it's possible to snorkel close to the shore, dive with whale sharks or feed the dolphins at Monkey Mia. Some of the best beaches are:
- Bundegi Beach and Mauritius Beach, both near Exmouth
- Turquoise Bay - Idyllic beach where the crystal clear waters and abundant fish and coral make it perfect for snorkelling and swimming.
- Coral Bay - Snorkel on the Ningaloo Reef from the shore or go on a kayaking trip for the chance to see sea turtles, reef sharks and rays.
- Monkey Mia - near Denham: Every morning dolphins approach the beach here for feeding, allowing visitors a close encounter with these wonderful creatures.
North of Perth
- Hangover Bay, Nambung National Park: Flawless white sand and pristine, clear water that is great for windsurfing and swimming.
- Lancelin - 130km from Perth, this is one of Western Australia's best beaches for windsurfing.
Perth Beaches
Perth boasts arguably the best beaches of any Australian city. These are some of the highlights:
- Cottlesloe: Situated between Perth and Fremantle, this is one of Perth's most popular beaches and has a wonderful setting, fringed by Norfolk Pines and the old Indian Tea House.
- Swanbourne: Popular nudist beach at the far end of Cottlesloe
- Scarborough: Probably Perth's best surfing beach and most popular hangout. Combination of golden sand and the bars, cafe's and surf shops bring in the crowds.
- City Beach - Calm, peaceful waters for swimming and excellent facilities including barbecues, picnic tables and changing rooms.
Rottnest Island
There's a wonderful array of beaches on this island off the coast from Perth and Fremantle, and fantastic locations for surfing, fishing, snorkelling and swimming. Some of the best beaches are:
- The Basin
- Salmon Bay
- West End
South West Region
Many of the best surfing beaches in Western Australia are found in the south west of the state.
Margaret River
Margaret River is famous for its world class surfing conditions. Some of the best spots include:
- Surfer's Point
- Yallingup
- Boranup
- Injidup
This whole region is dotted with spectacular beaches, including the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Other highlights are:
- Dunsborough
- Albany
- Denmark
- Green's Pool & Elephant Rocks
Esperance
Possibly the most stunning collections of beaches in the whole country is found around Esperance, on the southern coast of Western Australia. Its highlights include
- West Beach
- Salmon Beach
- Lucky Bay
- Hellfire Bay
Matt Adams - I'm a freelance writer focussing on subjects that are of great interest to me, namely travel and adventure sports. I have travelled ...
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