First things first – let me tell you that you don’t have to travel far to experience some of the best beaches in Perth. This article will help you find the perfect one for you, no matter what you want to do at the beach!
Whether you’re into surfing, swimming, kayaking, SUPing, or looking for somewhere to take the kids, go for a long walk on the beach, watch the sunset, have a picnic, or check out some markets – there’s a Perth beach that fits the bill.
Our coastline is long and beautiful, and every spot has its own unique charm. This list includes the 19 best beaches in Perth that are within a 1-hour drive of the CBD.
Trust me when I say our beaches really can do it all!
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1. Scarborough Beach
Kicking off the list is one of Perth’s absolute most popular beaches – Scarborough, also affectionately known as Scabs or Scarbs.
If you’ve ever met a Perth local, you’ll know about the never-ending “north of the river” vs “south of the river debate”! Being the southie that I am, Scarborough has never been my first choice when picking a beach to visit – but I must say, it has a huge amount to offer.
This spot is great for literally everything, but one of its specialties is surfing. There are some great breaks for beginners, and you can take lessons or hire a board there too. Scarborough Beach Surf School offers a 2.25 hour beginner lesson for a reasonable $79. Check it out and book here!
If you’re not the surfing kind, you can’t go past the Scarborough Sunset Markets. Think delicious food, live music & DJs, and artisan stalls – the Sunset Markets are held on weekends throughout the year, even in winter. You can check out their website to find out what’s on and when.
Don’t worry if you miss the markets though, there’s always something going on at Scarborough Beach, whether it’s community events, dance parties, or yoga classes – there’s never a dull moment!
2. Cottesloe Beach
If you’re looking for a Perth beach with a low-key chilled vibe, look no further than Cottesloe Beach. Cott is an iconic Perth beach, perfect for a Sunday sunset & swim, or even a midnight skinny-dip! It’s also got a bustling café strip with a selection of pubs, cafés, and restaurants to keep you busy.
Growing up in Perth, Cottesloe has always been one of my go-to favourite beaches. I know that’s a hard call because Perth has so many pristine beaches – but what can I say? It’s a goodie!
I personally LOVE the food and atmosphere at Il Lido – it’s the perfect place for a suave lunch or dinner (or breakfast or coffee – they do it all!). You can check out their menu and book at table on their website.
Cottesloe Beach is also home to the popular causal eatery Ol’ Buoy (open during summer only), and the annual art installation Sculpture by the Sea, which is usually held around March.
3. Coogee Beach
Ok, I know I said Cottesloe is one of my favourites – but Coogee Beach takes the cake for me!
It’s almost always calm and flat with no big waves, which makes it the perfect place to take the kids, or get your morning laps in. There’s also a shark net for those who like a little peace of mind.
One very popular thing to do at Coogee Beach is go jetty jumping. In summer the jetty swells with crowds of fun-seekers flipping into the water!
With the risk of telling the world about a great local hidden café – one of my absolute favourite spots to grab a coffee and some lunch after a swim at Coogee Beach is Beachpoint Café.
Coogee Common is also just steps away from Coogee Beach, it is a truly special dining experience. They have an onsite veggie garden from which they base their seasonal menus, and the food is to die for. I’d highly recommend booking in advance for an amazing lunch or dinner.
4. Leighton Beach
Another classic Perth beach that you simply cannot go past is Leighton Beach. This one tends to be slightly less busy than the popular Scarborough and Cottesloe – but don’t worry, it’s got a great atmosphere in summer!
I personally love to go to Leighton for a quick dip and a picnic on the lush lawn. The grassy area is hidden behind the sand dunes, which makes it the perfect place to hide away on a windy afternoon.
The Orange Box is a great little spot for a post-swim coffee and treat. Plus, Bib & Tucker is another iconic Perth restaurant which boasts local produce and stunning ocean views. They do brekky, lunch, and dinner from Wednesday through to Sunday. You can book a table via their website.
5. Trigg Beach
Trigg Beach is a popular spot for the northern suburbs folk, and for good reason. It’s kind of like Scarborough but with a bit less busy mayhem!
If you’re looking for a beach that’s great for a swim and some weekend markets, Trigg is your place.
The locally famous Summer x Salt Markets have a chill indie vibe, and is the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. It’s a community market with local artisans, delicious food & coffee, and often free yoga, breathwork, or meditation classes…sometimes they even have ice baths! These markets are only run during Summer, you can check out their website to see when they’re on next.
6. Port Coogee – Omeo Wreck
Another Perth Beach that’s become incredibly popular in recent years is the Omeo Wreck. While it’s technically not a beach at the wreck site itself, you’ll find Coogee Beach directly south of the wreck.
Perhaps it goes without saying that the Omeo Wreck is a great spot for snorkelling. There’s a great wreck trail that follows the rocky headland out to sea, so make sure you venture a little past the crowds if you visit.
Something worth keeping in mind is that this spot wasn’t really designed for the huge crowds that swarm the place during summer weekends. There’s not much parking, the grassed area is pretty small, and there’s not much shade or any toilets.
So, if you can, plan to visit early in the day or on weekdays instead. Or even give it a try during autumn or spring when the crowds are less crazy. I honestly would not recommend visiting on a weekend in summer – you will not have an enjoyable time.
Here’s a few things you can do to minimise your impact on both the local community and the environment if you visit Omeo Wreck:
- Park only in designated parking bays.
- Put your rubbish in the bin or take it with you if the bins are full.
- If you’re a beginner snorkeller – do NOT wear fins/flippers. This is because you’re likely to kick up a lot of sand or accidentally destroy the delicate corals and seaweed that grow there.
- Instead, just bring a mask & snorkel and float around nice and slowly – you truly do not need fins to be able to snorkel around the Omeo.
- Be aware of other people in the water around you – nobody likes getting a mouthful of sand or a kick in the head!
- Do not touch any sea life – if you admire it, then leave it alone 😊 This is not only to help preserve and protect the incredible marine life, but also for your own safety – I’ve seen a blue-ringed octopus at the Omeo wreck before!
- If you aren’t a confident snorkeller yet – I highly recommend walking down the beach a little and splashing around in a shallow sandy spot. This way you won’t disturb any marine life or have to worry about getting in the way of other snorkellers.
If it is super busy, a great little hack is to park at the main Coogee Beach carpark and walk to the wreck. This way you could even drop in at Beachpoint Café for a coffee & snack on the way back!
7. Mettams Pool
One of my favourite – and perhaps one of the most popular – Perth beaches for snorkelling is Mettams Pool. This nifty little spot is just north of Trigg Beach and has lots of cool rocky limestone outcrops that you can poke around and explore…both in and out of the water!
8. Yanchep Lagoon
I only recently discovered this Perth gem, and it is the perfect place to take the kids for a day-trip adventure! It’s a sheltered lagoon with an amazing underwater limestone ledge. I spent hours swimming around exploring the sea life when we visited. You will be amazed by how much life there is to see!
You could also take a kayak or a SUP and spend the day floating around and exploring the lagoon and reef. Once you’ve had enough sun and sand, you can pop up to the Yanchep Summer Surf Salt Markets, which are usually held on Friday evenings during summer.
Yanchep Lagoon is about a 45-minute drive north of the Perth CBD.
9. South Beach
Another one of my ‘south of the river’ favourites, South Beach really calls to me! It’s close to the locally infamous South Terrace – with more cafes, restaurants, pubs, bakeries, and local artisan shops than you can poke a stick at.
South Beach is perfect for a quiet sunrise dip and a stroll along the sand. There’s also a super friendly dog beach just north of the main South Beach carpark (try saying that 5 times fast!).
10. Ngarkal Beach
This one’s a little obscure… but it deserves a spot on this list because it’s a hidden gem that’s perfect for tiny tots. The Ngarkal Beach Water Park is located in Port Coogee and is perfect for small children. It’s a little lagoon situated behind a sheltered breakwater, which means it’s almost always protected from the wind, and hasn’t got even a HINT of a wave.
It’s another busy spot with limited parking when the weather is good – so if you plan to go during summer make sure you get there early.
11. Woodman Point
Woodman Point is the quintessential Perth adventurer’s beach – it’s the place to go for the best Perth diving and kitesurfing. The location known as Woodman Point spans quite a large area and has lots of parking… but as all Perth beaches do, it gets busy during summer – so get there early!
You can check out Ammo Jetty for a dive and then spend the afternoon having a BBQ and a picnic at the big grassy reserve. There’s also a little café/kiosk there that sells some basic lunch and refreshments.
Perth Kitesurfing School does beginner (and advanced) lessons from Woodman Point if you’re up for some adventure!
12. Rockingham (Point Peron)
Is there any place on this list that I won’t call an iconic Perth location? Probably not!
This is one of the beach beaches in Perth for diving and snorkelling with lots of cool underwater limestone caves to check out. Plus, there’s almost always a friendly seal or dolphin to find.
Check out this guide if you plan to dive or snorkel there, it’s got an awesome map and heaps of local information.
If underwater action isn’t your thing but you still want to explore, there’s plenty to see and do on top of the water. If you’re up for some fun, check out this awesome sea-kayaking adventure!
13. City Beach
What Perth beach isn’t good for swimming?
City Beach is no different, but there is a bit of a sandy ditch when you get in the water… which means the waves tend to dump on you as soon as you get it. If you’re not a confident swimmer, then save this beach for a long walk instead. It’s also a superb place to come and enjoy a quiet sunrise and home-made coffee!
If you do decide to take a long walk, head north and you’ll get to Floreat Beach. But if you head south-east – you’ll get to one of Perth’s last suburban nature reserves – Bold Park. Throw on your running shoes and go for a walk up to the Reabold Hill Summit Lookout to check out some native bushland and pretty good views over the ocean.
The City Beach foreshore itself has been recently re-developed and is a lovely place to watch the sunset from. There’s new amenities and some awesome places to eat and drink too – try out Voyage Kitchen or Odyssea!
14. Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach is more or less Scarborough Beach, but it’s just a little bit south of the main area. You can’t go past Brighton for a picnic and a quick surf, this place is quieter and favoured by the locals!
Of course, if a sunset picnic is what you’re after, then the newly re-developed main Scarborough Beach precinct is where it’s at. There are some grass-covered hills that give you an elevated view across the ocean, plus plenty of BBQs to cook up a feast.
15. Best Place for Kids – Scarborough Beach
I have already talked about plenty of Perth beaches that are great for kids, but as far as activities go, Scarborough beats them all hands down.
Scarborough’s new refurbishment means there’s now a pool, basketball courts, cafes, rock climbing walls, a skate park, you name it! And (except the pool) they’re all free to access. Scabs is a mecca for kids young and old, and it’s got a great community atmosphere.
16. Bathers Beach
For the longest time, Bathers Beach has been a non-event. But in recent years, so much has changed for the better! The beach itself is a very short stretch of sand between two rocky groynes, and usually has a good amount of floating seaweed (not the best for swimming!).
The adjoining restaurant – Bathers Beach House – spills out over the actual beach itself, and is the ONLY place in Perth (and in fact, the only place in Australia) where the beach is licensed! Which means you can literally have a cocktail with your feet in the sand. You can check out their menu and book a table on their website.
You could easily turn a trip to Bathers Beach into a whole-day adventure. Wander through the Freo markets, have lunch by the water & get a little sun, and get a dose of maritime history at the WA Shipwrecks Museum.
I recently read a book about the Barque Stefano, an Austro-Hungarian ship that wrecked off Exmouth in 1875. The story is remarkable – explaining how the surviving crew were taken in and looked after by the Aboriginal people, which is the only reason they were able to survive and be rescued. You can learn about stories like this inside the WA Shipwrecks Museum, it’s by donation to enter and great for kids too (they have a huge shipwreck set up in there!).
17. Mullaloo Beach
Another great option for those who are located in Perth’s northern suburbs, Mullaloo Beach is a very casual affair. Grab yourself a pub lunch at the Mullaloo Beach Hotel, then head across for a swim.
There’s also a café (called Swell) that overlooks the ocean if you’re keen for a cocktail, coffee, or dinner.
18. Mandurah Foreshore
This list wouldn’t be complete without mention of a day-trip to Mandurah! An easy way to go is to head to the beach at the end of Calypso Road, then go for a stroll to check out one of Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah.
While you’re there, you might as well grab lunch down at the Mandurah Foreshore (on Mandurah Terrace). There’s so much I could share about Mandurah because it’s awesome and there’s so much to do there… but that’s a discussion for another day!
19. Swanbourne Beach
Also known as Swannies, Swanbourne Beach is actually a nude beach. Don’t let that deter you though, what makes it a great beach is that it’s super quiet. Plus, when it’s a calm evening, it’s a stunning place to watch the sunset. I have fond memories of spending the night there camped in our sleeping bags to celebrate one of my teenage birthdays!
Bonus – Port Beach
Port Beach has never been one of my ‘go-to’ best beaches in Perth because it’s so close to the Port and industrial area… but it’s kind of a hidden gem. It is great for little ones because it’s almost always flat without big waves. It’s also beautiful for a walk on a stormy but still afternoon!
Another Bonus! – Wadjemup Rottnest Island
It would be wrong of me not to include Rottnest Island in my list of the best beaches in Perth. But, technically it’s a bit more of a journey because you have to catch a ferry to get there!
There are countless amazing bays and reefs to go snorkelling at, which is the best thing about the Island! There are also plenty of cafes and pubs, a small general store, and the iconic quokka of course. Cycling is my favourite way to see the island, but there’s also a bus service that goes all the way around the island.
Rottnest Island deserves a whole article all to itself, but for now you’ll have to take my word for it – the place is awesome! Check out this Bike and Ferry Package if you’re keen to take yourself on self-guided island adventure.
It’s always good to go to Rottnest with a little flexibility in mind. The ferries usually do run on time, but because the ocean isn’t always the most predictable, be prepared to shuffle your day around if the ferries get slightly rescheduled.
Did I miss any?
I’d like to think that my status as a Perth local means I didn’t forget any banger Perth beaches… but I’ve been wrong before! Let me know in the comments if I’ve forgotten any good ones.
Are you up for a road trip?
Perth isn’t the only place in WA with stunning beaches – in fact the whole state is an absolutely incredible place. If you’re planning to head south towards Esperance – check out my list of the top 29 Best Esperance Beaches! They truly are some of the best in the world (I’m not biased, promise!) 😍
