Best Beaches In & Near Perth
It is almost as if Perth's founding fathers chose the location based on the great beaches that flank the city. Endless stretches of powdery white sand meet the deep, crystalline turquoise of the Indian Ocean. And if that wasn't enough, Perth has more sunny days than any other capital city in the world.
In a country with an almost unbroken fringing of world-class beaches it takes something special to stand out. But the capital of Western Australia more than holds its own. Whether surfing, snorkeling, swimming or just catching a few rays is your thing you will be spoiled for choice.
And it gets better, a short boat trip across to Rottnest Island just takes things to another level of beachy paradise. Pristine and uncrowded the little island is home to numerous secluded coves, world class surf and a population of friendly quokka.
Perhaps the biggest challenge selecting the best beaches in Perth is that there are so many to choose from. OK, there are worse jobs, so without further ado, here are our (and your) favourites.
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1. Swanbourne Beach
Mark Pegrum Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
Located roughly 20 minutes from Perth by road, Swanbourne North Beach is part of a long ribbon of soft white sand which stretches for 12 kilometres.
One of only two officially-recognised nudist beaches in the Perth area, this clothing-optional section of the larger Swanbourne Beach can be found around 300 m north of the car park, where dunes 10-20 m high begin to form. The dunes are fenced off to protect… read more »
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2. Cottesloe Beach
© Richard Majlinder Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
Cottesloe is a true city beach in the best possible sense. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Perth, Cottesloe still manages to remain the quintessential laid-back Australian beach. This mile long strip of golden sand is Perth's answer to Bondi beach yet there are as many differences as similarities.
Despite being on the edge of one of Australia's major cities Cottesloe still manages to retain a slower pace of… read more »
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3. Scarborough Beach
David Jones Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
Fans of Scarborough Beach claim it's the "best white sand surf beach in the world"! It certainly delivers some of Perth's best surf breaks with epic waves at times.
Located 20 minutes northwest of Perth city centre, and on a regular bus route, it's easy to reach. Once there, this beautiful beach has oodles of things to do including swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, fishing, basketball shooting (there's a half court on… read more »
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4. Little Salmon Bay
Sei F Travel time from Perth: approx 1 hr
Situated on the southernmost tip of famous Rottnest Island, about 18km off the coast of Perth, Little Salmon Bay is a must for keen snorkellers. It has a wealth of colourful fish species milling around the bright Pocillopora coral in the bay waters.
Serene Little Salmon Bay is popular with families as it offers soft white sand and calm, sheltered waters that are crystal clear. The beach descends quite steeply… read more »
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5. Mettams Pool
© Lisa Gageler Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
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6. City Beach
Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
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7. Trigg Beach
Michael_Spencer Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
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8. Leighton Beach
Chris Chrissss Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
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9. Port Beach
Herry Lawford Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
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10. The Basin
Brian Carlson Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
Previously named Australia's top beach, an award not easy to come by in a country with 25,000 kilometres of coast, The Basin is just ten minutes from the main settlement of Thomson Bay.
Edged by rocks and a fragile dune system, The Basin's sparkling sands slip into shallows that have long attracted swimmers, while its less-sheltered offshore reaches are a major attraction for surfers.
At the peak of the surfing season, during… read more »
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11. Bathers Beach
Sei F Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
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12. Pinky Beach
© Eva Tillmann Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
One of Rottnest Island's north facing beaches, Pinky Beach is known for its tranquil atmosphere. Located close to Thomson Bay, the island's primary settlement, its white sands are a good length, alongside shallows that gleam in the sunlight like jewels.
Backed by grassy dunes, Pinky Beach offers views of the historic Bathurst Lighthouse. One of two such structures on the island, it was built in 1899. From its elevated position it… read more »
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13. Geordie Bay
gérard Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
Lying on its northern coast facing out into nothing but the deep blue, Geordie Bay boasts one of the largest beaches on Rottnest Island. Its proximity to those lucky enough to be resident on the island all year round means that there are plenty of close amenities and accommodation options, as well as a café, store, and public toilets on the beach itself.
The popularity of Geordie Bay doesn't just lie… read more »
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14. Warnbro Beach
Calistemon Travel time from Perth: approx 1 hr
The white sands of Warnbro Beach arc for almost the entire 8.5 kilometre length of its bay. Pointing west towards The Sisters tree-topped offshore rocks, it lies on the Indian Ocean coast of Western Australia in the southern Port Kennedy suburb of Perth.
A dog-friendly beach, there is a 900 metre section about midway which has also been designated a "Free Beach", making it one of just six officially-sanctioned
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15. Parakeet Bay
Graeme Churchard Travel time from Perth: approx 1 hr
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16. Burns Beach
Andrew Owens Travel time from Perth: approx 0.5 hrs
Burns Beach is a firm favourite with families as it is just 30 minutes north from Perth on the Mitchell Freeway. You can even get here by train to Joondalup and then by local bus in less than an hour.
Burns is a sheltered 2 km beach backed by white calcarenite cliffs reaching 10-15m in height. Steps lead down from the Foreshore Lookout to the sandy beach below.
It's popular… read more »
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17. Salmon Bay
© Anna Palinska Travel time from Perth: approx 1 hr
Just about the furthest south you can head on Rottnest Island, Salmon Bay lies at the end of the peninsula of land pointing southward. Along with its neighbour, Little Salmon Bay, it has long been utilised as a swimming beach. The pristine waters are suitable for all ages, and have temperatures that linger between 18 and 23°C right through the year.
Since there are no private motor vehicles allowed on… read more »
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