7 Best Beaches in Western Australia

By Ellen – (Updated Dec 2022)

⏱7 min

Western Australia has some of the most beautiful coastlines and beaches in the world. White sand beaches stretch for kilometers with vibrant turquoise waters that meet the shore. Here are the 7 Best Beaches in Western Australia, based on our own criteria.

This is based on our own experience while visiting the beaches on our road-trip through southern Western Australia.

Little Beach in Two Peoples Bay

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is a breathtaking ecological area where you can find Little Beach. Little Beach is regularly voted as one of Western Australia’s best beaches. It is a picturesque beach with fine white sand, blue water, and surrounded by granite boulders.

If you climb atop the surrounding boulders, you can enjoy stunning ocean views. There is a National Park Entrance Fee which, as of March 2020, starts at $15 AUD for the private vehicles Standard Fee.

More info about the Two Peoples Bay Natural Park 👉🏼 here

Little Salmon Bay (in Rotten Island)

Rottnest Island is just a short ferry trip away from Perth. A great way to get around the island is by bicycle, and there are options to rent bikes for the day. Little Salmon Bay is on the south side of Rottnest Island. To get there, just head south from the main settlement and follow the signs past the airport.

Little Salmon Bay is one the best beaches in Western Australia – also really popular-, especially during the peak of summer, so it is great to get there early in the morning. It has beautiful waters and if you like to snorkel, you’re in luck! Here you’ll find the Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail starting at the reef to the left of the bay. You’ll be sure to see beautiful corals and marine life as you swim through the pristine waters.

Injidup Beach

Surrounded by dunes and rock formations, Injidup Beach is a huge picturesque beach stretching for kilometers. The beach is located in the Margaret River region and is popular for surfing and amazing views. When we visited in March, we were the only ones on the beach. Other reviews that we have read also say that it was empty, or there were very few people. Even if there were to be a crowd, it’s a huge beach so there’s plenty of space!

While visiting, don’t miss the Injidup Natural Spa, which is just back up the same road that leads to the beach. There’s another carpark to turn into and from the car park entrance, go left and down around to the right to find the spa.

The Injidup Natural Spa is a grouping of rocks that create a natural pool of water that is constantly refreshed by the ocean waves. On a summer afternoon, it can be crowded. Also, the rocks can be slippery and big waves can surprise you, so please be careful, especially if/when you’re standing up on the rocks.

Hamelin Bay

Just south of Margaret River, you can find Hameline Bay. Hamelin Bay was named after the French explorer Jacques Félix Emmanuel Hamelin who sailed through the area in the early 1800s. Remains of the historic Hamelin Bay Jetty that was built in 1882 is still visible, but the real stars here are the stingrays that swim along the shoreline.

You can observe these gentle giants elegantly glide through the water. Some local fishermen have buckets of fish to feed the stingrays so that visitors have a chance to see them up-close. Even without feeding them, the rays might come up to you, gliding over your feet and bumping into your legs. They are quite friendly but of course please exercise caution while interacting with wildlife.

Shelley Beach

Located in West Cape Howe National Park, Shelley Beach isn’t an “easy” beach to get to. It takes some time to wind through country gravel-roads before you descend a steep hill to the beach. This beach is another wide, pristine, white-sand beach enclosed by granite boulders on each end.

You can camp here, but only with a small campervan or tent, and there are long drop toilets and a bbq area. There is a National Park Entrance Fee here. As of March 2020, $15 AUD was the starting Standard fee for a private vehicle.

Waterfall Beach

Also located in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is Waterfall Beach. At the far end of Little Beach, there is a tiny and somewhat covered path that leads to Waterfall Beach. It is smaller and more enclosed compared to Little Beach, resulting in calmer waters. There wasn’t actually a waterfall when we visited, but I understand that sometimes there is water that runs down from the boulders and into the ocean.

Getting down to the beach you have to climb around on the boulders, and there isn’t any shade on the beach so it might not be the best beach for small children. While we were there, there was only one other couple. It was the perfect place for us to enjoy another couple of hours.

Lucky Bay (Best Beach for the sand)

In Cape Le Grand National Park, you’ll find one of the most stunning beaches in the country – Lucky Bay. Lucky Bay has been rated as Australia’s whitest sand beach. Here, the white sand is so fine that it squeaks under your feet as you walk on it. To enter the park, you must pay the standard National Park fee which starts at $15 AUD.

The colors of the water are magnificent, with light turquoise shallow waters turning into a deep, impactful blue.

You may also be lucky to spot some kangaroos. We were approached by two who were looking for food. You’re not supposed to feed them, remember they are wild animals. Opt for some adorable photos instead of feeding them your human food.

Also, down on the beach, you can find Lucky Bean Café, a small business operated out of a van that they drive down to the beach each day. They serve delicious coffees, fresh juices, and homemade dampers and muffins, and even have chairs set out for you.

This concludes our review of some of the best beaches in Western Australia. This only scratches the tip of the iceberg so be on the lookout for other great beaches to visit. Have you been to any of these beaches? Which one is your favorite or what other ones would you recommend that aren’t on this list? We hope you can visit these someday but until we can safely travel, stay inspired, and stay safe.

Other adventures in Australia – East Coast