Western Australia is fringed by some of the most stunning, pristine beaches in the world. The coastline stretches over 12,000 kilometres, from the beautiful Rainbow Coast in the south, to the awe-inspiring Coral Coast in the north. Bordered by the closest offshore fringing reef in the world, and rich in marine life and stunning environmental features, it’s an incredible place to visit. Many of the beaches are also fantastic swimming beaches.

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe Beach is Perth’s most popular city beach! It’s only a fifteen minute drive out of town, and easy to access by bus or train. The beach is patrolled by lifesavers and lifeguards during the summer months, the water temperature is fairly warm year round, and the waves are variable but usually quite small. It’s fantastic for swimming! Across the road there are bustling café’s, pubs and restaurants, and during the month of March the beach hosts “Sculpture by the Sea,” where artists host their works in an outdoor gallery space on the beach. Snorkelling North Cottesloe Beach, it’s possible to find the rare leafy sea dragon! This beach is also famous for its gorgeous sunsets.

Turquoise Bay

Turquoise Bay sits in the tropical centre of the Coral Coast. This beach is part of a protected sanctuary zone on Ningaloo Reef; a pristine, tropical fringing reef brimming with rare and beautiful corals, and abundant marine life. Turquoise Bay is often cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world; the sand is bright white, and the water is a striking clear turquoise. This beach is famous for its “drift snorkel.” Snorkelers are able to swim a little way out, and allow the currents to carry them over coral bommies, schools of tropical fish, turtles, reef sharks and even octopuses!  

Cable Beach

Cable Beach is in Broome, on the far northern end of the Coral Coast. This stunning beach stretches twenty two kilometres, with pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters. It is surrounded by sand dunes and red cliffs, and enjoys hot weather year round. The water is warm, and usually very calm. Cable Beach is also famous for camel rides; very long lines of camels stretch along the beach at sunrise and sunset. It is also famous for a natural phenomenon dubbed “staircase to the moon,’ which occurs when the full moon rises over exposed mudflats at low tide, creating a beautiful optical illusion of a staircase.

Greens Pool

Greens Pool is located in Denmark, a gorgeous section of the southern end of the coast. Greens Pool is the perfect swimming beach; it is surrounded by large boulders that completely shield it from the waves of the Great Southern Ocean, even during winter storms. This creates a gorgeous still bay, with crystal clear water, which is great for families and small children. It is also wonderful for snorkelling, hosting many interesting fish, sea anemones and cold-water corals.

These are just some of the thousands of amazing beaches stretching along the Western Australian coast. They are rich and diverse, offering great surf, tranquil lagoons, fascinating rock formations and abundant marine life. With so much to explore, you will never be far from a fantastic swimming spot this summer!

Written by Tess Purling