Discover WA’s Most Stunning Beaches

In Western Australia, beaches stretch like sun-kissed symphonies, where every note plays the most beautiful sound.

From coral-cradled coves to wind-whipped shores tucked below craggy red cliffs, to balmy bays and secluded stretches where the only visitors are the surfers catching the best waves – there are so many stunning beaches in Western Australia, you’ll find all other beaches pale in comparison.

During our six months road trip throughout Western Australia, we agreed that this part of the country is where unspoiled nature truly shines.

We visited many beaches in WA in that time, and reluctantly narrowed down our recommendations for the best of the best – though I think you’d be hard pressed to find a bad beach in WA.

The following beaches are where our family enjoyed the most, and based on our personal experience. We picked them for sheer quality, attractions, beauty and atmosphere.

If you’re looking for Western Australian beaches with pure white sand for digging your toes into, crystal clear turquoise water perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and with the most stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean – then WA will blow your mind!

1. The Basin, Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island is a small island located 18 kilometres off the coast of Perth, and has many beautiful beaches.

The Basin is my favourite beach on Rotto. It’s so stunning and the coral life so teeming, 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, called The Basin.

The Basin is sheltered and very popular with families with young children. Its protected waters makes it 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. Or simply cycle around the island and see the amazing coastal views.

2. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth

Exmouth is a town on the Coral Coast of Western Australia, a 15 hour drive north of Perth.

Turquoise Bay is our favorite beach in Exmouth, and is reason enough to visit.

Set in the Cape Range National Park, you’re swimming within metres of the famous Ningaloo Reef, which is known for being full of marine life. In the right season, you will find majestic whale sharks (between March and August) and sometimes even sea turtles, humpback whales, orcas and manta rays.

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. I would even rank it as one of the top three favourite beaches in Australia.

Sand dunes roll down from behind, changing from red soil to light orange beach, 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. Admire the setting sun from the sand, at a sunset bar, or atop a camel – it’s one of the best sunsets in Australia!

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 its spot as one of the world’s best beaches!

4. Hamelin Bay, Margaret River

Possibly the most picturesque beach in the Margaret River region is Hamelin Bay.

Known for its fine white sand, crystal clear turquoise water, and natural dunes. It’s a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and apparently scuba diving.

But the beauty of the beach is not the only reason to visit Hamelin Bay. It’s the best place in Australia to see wild stingrays!

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 colourful fish swim around your ankles in the shallows, and we even got lucky and saw a few rays close to shore. You might also get a glimpse of some turtles or reef sharks in the area, if you’re lucky.

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 stop if you’re in the south-west region of Western Australia.

Take the short walk from the car park 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 of gigantic granite boulders from a particular viewpoint, what you’re looking at is called Elephant Rocks.

It’s so-named because it resembles a herd of elephants paddling in the shallow waters.

The rocks protect the waters from crashing waves, and you’ll find the water around them to be calm and teeming with marine life.

Most beaches on the south of Australia are wild and too strong to swim in, so this is one of the few that’s perfect for families to go swimming and snorkeling at.

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 southwest coast.

Picture turquoise water, white sand, and a giant stone against the sea and backed by verdant headlands.

We didn’t swim when we visited, but we enjoyed a lovely beach walk and picnic at the far end. It’s unspoiled and has little infrastructure, which is what we liked about it, but don’t forget to bring your own supplies.

8. Yallingup Beach, Margaret River Region

One for the surfers in the family. Yallingup Beach has powerful surf and is a popular spot for surfing enthusiasts.

When we stayed in Margaret River, 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

Another beach we loved on Rottnest Island, just beneath the Bathurst Point Lighthouse, is Pinky Beach.

An easy stroll from the main town at Thomson Bay, Pinkies sparkling blue water and white sand is postcard-perfect.

Get here early and take a morning dip and you just might have this beach all to yourself, otherwise it can get quite busy in the afternoon due to its close proximity to the ferry pier.

10. Cottesloe Beach, Perth

Cottesloe is a beach-side suburb about a 15 minute drive from the city of Perth, and is famous for its main beach, cafes, and relaxed lifestyle.

For a city beach, Cottesloe is one of the better ones.

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. Grab a takeaway fish & chips and a cold bevvy, and watch mother nature take her last bow for the day.

11. Meelup Beach, Margaret River Region

Family-friendly Meelup Beach is another picturesque beach in the Margaret River region, near Dunsborough. It’s much loved by families as the protected bay creates ideal swimming conditions.

It’s also popular place for boaters to drop anchor and enjoy an afternoon of swimming and relaxing. There are BBQs and picnic tables under the leafy gum trees with plenty of grassy areas to laze around on.

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 are kayaks for hire which seemed like a popular activity with plenty of local folks out on the water.

One thing to be wary of when visiting Meelup Beach, is that the area can be fly-heavy!! You may just need a fly net. It was so bad, we could not stay for long.

12. Sandy Bay, Exmouth

If you’re looking for white sandy beaches in Western Australia that are so pure and so white, you could drop a piece of paper on it and lose it.

Well, look no further! I think Sandy Bay has the whitest sand I’ve seen in Western Aus. We found paradise at Sandy Bay, because we had it all to ourselves!

Endless white sand, crystal clear water, dark blue skies, and the shallow waters of Sandy Bay made it an excellent beach for our kids to swim and play in.

Apparently, it’s a popular place for kite surfers when the wind is right.

There’s a picnic table with shade overlooking the beach, which we commandeered for a lunch break, but you will find plenty of spots on the sand to unravel a picnic (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 is Little Salmon Bay.

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.

While many people visit Esperance for Wharton Beach near Duke of Orleans Bay, our personal favourite is Lucky Bay.

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 ignore how beautiful Lucky Bay is.

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 than 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 phenomenon called Staircase to the Moon. During a full moon, the moon shines above the mud flats and it looks like stairs leading up to the moon.

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 swim.

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 Island, 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 and you will arrive at Twilight Beach, the most popular swimming and surfing beach in the Esperance area.

I preferred it to Lucky Bay because it’s easier to access.

The calm, pristine waters of Twilight make 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!

It’s probably the most unique natural phenomenon on the Western Australia coastline.

It’s well worth a look if you are doing the World Heritage Drive in the Shark Bay region.

22. Scarborough Beach

Scarborough Beach in Perth is known for its turquoise waters and clean sandy beach.

The beach is lined with a thriving pedestrian promenade with a children’s adventure playground and skating bowls.

There are several events that take place here throughout the year, including pop up art installations and live music at the amphitheatre.

If you’re looking for a beach with entertainment, you will love the climbing wall, half-court basketball, and outdoor gym at Scarborough Beach.

23. Eighty Mile Beach, Port Hedland

Another popular beach in Western Australia is Eighty Mile Beach, which is actually 90-miles long, but it was renamed to avoid confusion between another beach with the same name in Victoria.

While some visit beaches for swimming and relaxing, at Eighty Mile Beach, you can unleash the adventure within.

Climb aboard a 4WD vehicle and hit the sand.

The scenic drive takes about 1.5 hours and goes from Port Hedland to Broome.

The beautiful beach is lined with fishing spots, places to swim, and of course, an abundance of incredible views.

24. Cape Leveque, Kimberley

Nestled on the northern most tip of Western Australia is Cape Leveque, known for its vibrant red rock formations.

It sits on the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region, and is one of the most remote beaches in Western Australia.

You’ll find few facilities here, not even toilets or showers, but the stunning natural scenery is still worth visiting.

It should be noted that to access this beach, you will need a 4WD and drive down the 206 kilometres drive on Cape Leveque Road.

Still, thousands of visitors tackle the journey each year, and hardly anyone says it wasn’t worth it.

25. Misery Beach

You wouldn’t know it with a name like Misery Beach, but this is one of the most gorgeous beaches in WA!

It’s located in a very remote location, 400 kilometers south of Perth, near Albany.

It was named Misery Beach after the nearby waters became a hot spot for whaling in the 1900s, and it was said the stunning waters would be filled with the blood of slaughtered whales.

Fortunately, whaling is no longer legal as of 1978, and the beach has been restored to its natural beauty. In fact, you can often see whales migrating off the shores during autumn months.

Map of these beaches in WA

To help you plan which of these beaches to visit, here are their locations marked on this interactive map.

Final thoughts

Beaches in Western Australia offer something beaches on the East Coast can’t – serenity.

They are a lot less crowded and underdeveloped compared to east coast beaches, so it’s easier to find seclusion, if that’s what you’re after.

Whether you’re looking for snorkelling hot spots, white sand to relax on, amazing rocky landscapes or places to enjoy with the kids, there’s a beach for everyone in WA.

We hope you have the best time exploring Australia’s most beautiful beaches and find your own little slice of paradise.

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