Best Beaches in Perth: A Complete Guide to the City's World-Class Coastline

Perth's beaches are widely regarded as Australia's finest city beaches by those who have compared them objectively: the Indian Ocean's consistently good swell, the white sand and turquoise water that photography from Perth consistently produces, and the long unbroken stretch of coast from Mandurah to Two Rocks mean that Perth beachgoers are genuinely spoilt. On a calm summer afternoon, Cottesloe Beach compares favourably with any beach in the world.

Cottesloe — Cottesloe is Perth's most loved beach and the one that best represents what Perth beach culture looks like at its most refined. The beach itself is excellent (swimming and gentle surf), the Indiana teahouse heritage building on the headland provides a landmark café, and the Cottesloe village strip of shops and restaurants above the beach creates a complete beach day precinct. On a Sunday afternoon in summer, the Cottesloe scene is quintessential Perth.

Scarborough — Scarborough is Perth's biggest surf beach and the northern suburbs' beach heartland, with consistent surf, the Scarborough foreshore development (cafes, restaurants, the Observation City heritage), and access to the northern Trigg and Sorrento breaks nearby for surfers who want more variety.

Fremantle beaches — the South Beach Fremantle and Bathers Beach areas provide beach access integrated into the Fremantle heritage town experience, with the Little Creatures brewery and the Fremantle Markets nearby for a full-day Freo and beach combination.

Rottnest Island — 45 minutes by ferry from Fremantle or 90 minutes from the CBD, Rottnest Island is Australia's most underrated day trip beach destination. The island has 63 beaches and bays, the famous quokkas, no cars, and Basin Beach and Geordie Bay that produce consistently clear water photographs. A summer day trip from Perth to Rottnest is the kind of experience that makes Perth residents understand they live somewhere genuinely special.

Two Rocks and Lancelin to the north — the northern coast beyond Yanchep and Two Rocks has consistent offshore wind for kite surfing and windsurfing at Lancelin, and virtually undeveloped beach stretching hundreds of kilometres that rewards weekend camping trips beyond the metropolitan suburbs.

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