Western Australia has the best darn beaches on the planet. We dare you – no, double dare you – to work your way through this list and tell us otherwise.
No disrespect to the Ionian, the Adriatic and the Med seas. But the beaches of Western Australia have that somethin’ extra – the testicle shrinking Indian Ocean is squeaky clean, blindingly clear, never soupy-warm, nor teeming with bucketloads of toasted tourists.
Go. See. Swim. Splash. Snorkel. Just take some SPF 50 so you don’t turn into a softly boiled egg.
1. Greens Pool, Denmark
Translucent water and flawless white sand dotted with thunderous granite boulders. Sheltered, safe and teeming with little fishies. Go early to meet the locals and avoid the school holiday parking crush.
Find it: William Bay Rd, Denmark.
Best time to visit: December to April.
2. Point Picquet, Eagle Bay.
Whisper-quiet crystal waters surrounded by ochre rocks. Sparkly, twinkly and bright enough to burn your eyeballs.
Find it: Eagle Bay-Meelup Rd, Dunsborough (drive past Point Picquet to a small carpark on the left).
Best time to visit: November to May.
3. Hellfire Bay, Esperance
See it to believe it. Water that’s bluer-than-your-bluest-filter. The kind of beauty that defies description. Mother Nature, you clever minx.
Find it: Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance.
Best time to visit: December to April.
4. Busselton Foreshore, Busselton
Glittering jade seas and eons of ocean-life darting around Australia’s longest jetty. Bring your snorkel or live with regrets always. Don’t leave without a few peglegs off the jetty or a tour of the Busselton Underwater Observatory.
Find it: Foreshore Pde, Busselton.
Best time to visit: November to April.
5. Pinky’s Bay, Rottnest
A sweet lil sheltered bay with a teeming coral reef up yonder and epic lighthouse views. Technically it’s not Rotto’s biggest supermodel, but it’s the perfect combo of swim, snorkel and good vibes.
Find it: Strue Rd, Rottnest Island.
Best time to visit: November to May.
6. Injidup Beach, Yallingup
Get your back pounded by a delightful natural spa on the right, or scramble over the boulders on the left to unveil clear, calm pools and jaw-dropping ocean views. Bring some decent shoes because it’s an accessibility nightmare and quite the clamber.
Find it: Wyadup Rd, Yallingup.
Best time to visit: October to April.
7. Lucky Bay, Esperance
Miles of squeaky white and rock-hard sand that even the most basic 2WD can handle, clear cerulean seas, ancient rock formations, bush backdrop and the occasional kangaroo. Yep, it’s special.
Find it: Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance.
Best time to visit: December to April.
8. Elephant Cove, Denmark
How many perfectly calm coves in the world are fringed by giant granite boulders resembling a herd of sleepy elephants plodding out to sea? We say no more. Just load it on your bucket list already.
Find it: William Bay Rd, Denmark (440km south of Perth)
Best time to visit: December to April.
9. Wylie Bay, Bandy Creek
Scramble up a giant rock, dribble over those epic views, then make your way down to the sheltered headland where dreamy waters await. Hint: Head there at low tide for the best sandbar adventures.
Find it: Wylie Bay Rd, Bandy Creek.
Best time to visit: December to April.
10. Peaceful Bay, Denmark
A magic spot between Denmark and Walpole ft. sheltered crystal blue waters. Super chill, time-stood-still kind of place. The fish n chips here are famous (albeit pricey, albeit worth it), with fish pulled straight out local waters.
Find it: Old Peaceful Bay Rd, Denmark
Best time to visit: December to March.
11. Meelup Beach, Dunsborough
We get it. Another beach described as having turquoise waters, snore. But Meelup’s waters really are turquoise. They’re as turquoise as turquoise can be and not a Cairo filter to be seen. Gob-smackingly beautiful and perfect for a stand-up paddle.
Find it: Meelup Rd, Dunsborough.
Best time to visit: November to May.
12. Gannet Rock, Dunsborough
Transparent waters swirling around smooth rocky outcrops and winding back into Meelup’s blindingly turquoise seas. Yummy.
Find it: Meelup Rd, Dunsborough.
Best time to visit: November to May.
13. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth
Routinely voted among the world’s best beaches. Jump in one end and let the current drift you above pack loads of turtles, sting rays, reef sharks and fish all colours of the rainbow before dumping you in the bay (just follow the safety advice, duh). If you’re lucky, wild dolphins may join you for a splash.
Find it: Yardie Creek Rd, Exmouth.
Best time to visit: April to November.
14. Wharton Beach, Esperance
Sparkly diamond waters and snow-white sand that is stiff as an old man’s glutes. The clearest water you’re ever likely to see in your life. Bring a wetsuit, it ain’t warm.
Find it: Wharton Rd, Condingup.
Best time to visit: December to April.
Stay tuned for more of WA’s best beaches coming soon!
*We pay where we stay and only recommend the special places. Deep Dive is put together with love and lived experience, to help you explore the beautiful state of WA and the world outside of it. If you found this article useful, consider buying us a coffee to help us survive!
Leave a Reply