🏖️45+ Margaret River BEACHES: Complete LOCALS GUIDE [2023]
Hello, fellow beach lovers and travel enthusiasts! I’m thrilled to be sharing with you my passion and knowledge of the sublime and unspoiled beaches of Margaret River.
Since settling here in 2016 with my family, these shimmering, surf-kissed sands have become my second home. My five water-obsessed sons and my husband and I, have practically spent half of our lives fishing, swimming, and relishing in the radiant Australian sun at a Margaret River beach.
There’s nothing quite like watching the sunset at Surfers Point, casting a line off the beach in Augusta, or teaching the boys how to swim at the tranquil shore of Gracetown. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to not only live this beach lovers dream but to also have the opportunity to share it with travellers from all corners of the globe.
Are you ready to learn about all of the beaches in Margaret River, and which one I think is best? (spoiler alert – they’re all my favorites!) I have created this list from Peppermint Grove Beach in the north to Jays Beach in the south, so use the table of contents to jump around the list as you need, or click on any of the recommendations in this top green box to find out the info you need!
Ok, let’s dive in!
This article contains some affiliate links which means that I may earn a small commission when you click on them, at no additional cost to you. I do hope you find the information in this article helpful!
🏆Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are my top picks, depending what you are specifically looking for:
👶Best for young kids to have a splash: Busselton Foreshore, Dunsborough Foreshore, Meelup Beach, Gracetown Beach/Cowaramup Bay Beach, Gnarabup Beach, Hamelin Bay, Flinders Bay
🎣Best for fishing: Peppermint Grove Beach, Point Picquet, Smiths Beach, Injidup Beach, Contos Beach, Hamelin Bay, Cosy Corner, Dead Finish
🚙Best for 4WDing: Forrest Beach, Three Bears, Kilcarnup Beach, Boranup Beach
🏄♂️Best for surfing: Huzzas, Redgate Beach, Surfers Point, Lefthanders Beach, Injidup Beach, Yallingup Beach
📸Best for photos: Busselton Foreshore, Castle Rock, Point Picquet, Yallingup Beach, Huzzas, Kilcarnup Beach, Surfers Point, Hamelin Bay, Flinders Bay
Complete Guide To Margaret Rivers 45+ Beaches
Busselton Beaches
1. Peppermint Grove Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 72km |📍LOCATION: Peppermint Grove Beach WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Peppermint Grove Beach
✅Located in the Shire of Capel, 26km north of Busselton (but totally worth the drive as there are lots of things to do in Peppermint Grove Beach!)
✅Carpark is close to the beach, but also has 4WD access, meaning you can drive on the beach here.
✅Pet-friendly (find some pet-friendly accommodation in Peppermint Grove Beach)
✅Features conveniently located public toilets, picnic area, BBQs and children’s playground for family enjoyment.
✅If anything is forgotten, a small shop is available at the Peppermint Grove Beach Holiday Park.
🏖️Summary: Awesome beach, especially for kids as it looks over the calm waters of Geographe Bay, and you can drive on the beach, just a shame it’s so far away from Margaret River.
2. Forrest Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 66km |📍LOCATION: Forrest Beach WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Forrest Beach
✅Situated 19km north of Busselton, providing a quiet beach escape.
✅Offers basic facilities, including a long-drop toilet and a carpark.
✅4WD access to the beach, perfect for beach driving enthusiasts.
✅Excellent fishing opportunities with herring, skippy, sand whiting, and tailor all being caught here.
✅For divers, the nearby reef is abundant with crays.
🏖️Summary: Forrest Beach is a quiet, pet-friendly beach with basic facilities, 4WD access, and boasting excellent fishing opportunities, cray-filled reefs for divers, and a rich annual salmon run. I like it here 🙌
3. Wonnerup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 60km |📍LOCATION: Wonnerup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Wonnerup Beach
✅Basic facilities include a public toilet and a picnic table at the main carpark
✅4WD access directly onto the beach
✅Ample carpark space and parking is close to the beach
🏖️Summary: Just 7km north of Busselton, Wonnerup Beach is perfect for 4WD beach driving, picnics, and peaceful walks with my dog, despite the minimal facilities at the main carpark.
4. Port Geographe
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 56km |📍LOCATION: Geographe WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Port Geographe
✅ Nature-based playground with a wheelchair-accessible roundabout
✅Toilets, picnic tables and BBQs
✅Safe for fishing with small kids (although I can’t guarantee you’ll catch anything!)
✅Pet-friendly
🏖️Summary: Not exactly a beach like the others on this list, but I like the Port Geographe Foreshore and Playground for small children, as it’s really safe for kids with the playground and the sheltered water.
5. Busselton Foreshore
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 49km |📍LOCATION: Busselton WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Busselton Foreshore
✅Home to a variety of cafes and restaurants, as well as the Busselton Jetty.
✅Offers an extensive stretch of white sandy beach, as well as being known for its safe swimming conditions, enhanced by a seasonal swimming enclosure and a permanent swim jetty.
✅Features the Busselton Skate Park, ideal for board, bike or scooter enthusiasts.
✅Boasts three playgrounds, including the shipwreck adventure playground (hand down my kids’ favourite playground in the region!) and a toddler-friendly train-themed playground.
✅Provides plenty of shaded picnic areas equipped with public BBQs and seating, as well as toilets and shower facilities.
🏖️Summary: We have spent soooo much time here. It’s a really great facility! Grab a coffee, some take-away chips, and find a nice place under the shady trees while your kids wear themselves out on the playground! It’s also a really nice, safe place to swim, although the parking is a little far away if you have a lot of gear to take to the beach (like me!)
6.Siesta Park And Toby Inlet
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 43km |📍LOCATION: Siesta Park/Marybrook WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Siesta Park and Toby Inlet
✅Hidden spot off the main roads means these beaches are always pretty quiet.
✅Dog-friendly.
✅Perfect for swimming and fishing.
✅Great for young kids as it’s very calm.
🏖️Summary: There are a few carparks available along this stretch of beach (just check Google Maps), and all of the beach along here has crystal clear ocean, perfect for swimming and a light fish. Sometimes there can be a bit of washed-up seaweed.
Dunsborough Beaches
7. Dunsborough Foreshore
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 46km |📍LOCATION: Dunsborough WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Dunsborough Foreshore
✅An amazing location for family outings with a safe beach that’s perfect for young children.
✅Features a beautiful walkway along the beach, making for delightful strolls, especially with your dog, as the majority of the beach here is dog-friendly.
✅Well-equipped with plenty of public toilets and parking.
✅Ideal for a range of water activities, including swimming and kayaking.
🏖️Summary: We like to drive to the end of Bay View Crescent and park on the side of the road to access this beach, although there is plenty of parking and public toilets all along the beach towards Busselton. It’s really safe for kids here, and the water is perfect. I definitely recommend a visit if you have young kids!
8. Old Dunsborough
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 46km |📍LOCATION: Dunn Bay WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Old Dunsborough
✅A lively hub in the summer, featuring a large swimming enclosure and pontoon (seasonal) near the old boat ramp.
✅Boasts a dual-lane concrete ramp for easy boat launching and receiving, free of parking charges but can get busy during nice weather and holidays.
✅Home to a regular coffee van and several food vans on multiple evenings a week.
✅Features a playground for children, grassed area for relaxation, and the possibility of whale and stingray sightings.
✅Regarded as a must-visit location, ideal for families, friends, or solitary visitors.
🏖️Summary: We’ve really enjoyed visiting here with the kids as well. We’ll grab some takeaway food from Dunsoborugh, and come down to the park here to eat it, then the kids have the best play on the playground or go exploring the rocks. I like the shady trees and the plentiful parking.
9. Castle Rock
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 52km |📍LOCATION: Dunsborough WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Castle Rock
✅Located on the calm and tranquil eastern side of Cape Naturaliste, and features impressive rock formations, including Castle Rock to the east and Sail Rock to the west.
✅Ideal for various activities such as fishing, swimming, surfing, or simply appreciating the beauty of nature.
✅Well-equipped with public toilets and gas barbecues for convenience.
✅Popular with tourists due to the photogenic Castle Rock, providing fantastic photo opportunities, especially at dawn or dusk.
✅There is also some nice walking trails around here, and you can make the short climb up the top of Castle Rock for some incredible views!
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10. Meelup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 53km |📍LOCATION: Naturaliste WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Meelup Beach
✅Situated in the stunning Geographe Bay, Meelup Beach is a picturesque haven with its beautiful white sand and clear turquoise waters.
✅Lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer months, making it a safe place for young children.
✅Perfect for a range of activities such as swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling in crystal clear waters.
✅Shaded grass areas provide an ideal spot for picnics, with public toilets, change rooms and showers, BBQs, and picnic tables available for public use.
🏖️Summary: Beautiful, sheltered beach, perfect if you have young kids. Large range of amenities and parking is super close. I definitely recommend stopping in here – with the caveat that it can get really busy here, so I would personally avoid it around the summer school holidays and find a quieter beach closer to Eagle Bay.
11. Point Picquet
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 55km |📍LOCATION: Naturaliste WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Point Picquet
✅Picturesque and quiet, the beaches along here are suitable for swimming, though be mindful of rocks that may require navigating to reach the shore.
✅It’s an excellent spot for fishing, with herring available all year round, and salmon during the right season.
✅A prime location for whale watching during migration season.
✅Safe and protected for young children.
🏖️Summary: I tell tourists to Margaret River that they should drive between Eagle Bay and Meelup Beach and just find a nice-looking beach, park their car and enjoy! There are quite a few along this little stretch, and it’s one way to guarantee having a stretch of beach to yourself.
12. Eagle Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 55km |📍LOCATION: Eagle Bay WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Eagle Bay
✅Eagle Bay Beach, part of the protected Eagle Bay Special Purpose Zone, boasts stunning white sand and usually isn’t too crowded.
✅It’s a fantastic beach for swimming, particularly for families with children, due to its typically calm and safe waters.
✅Eagle Bay makes for a perfect picnic spot, with public toilets and outdoor showers available across the road, as well as a children’s playground.
✅The beach, which faces north, provides calm and clear water for swimming, making it a top choice for a relaxing day out.
✅It’s also a dog-friendly area from the north part near the Eagle Bay Boat Ramp. Remember to follow signage, clean up after your pet, and be mindful of other people and wildlife on the beach.
🏖️Summary: I love Eagle Bay! It’s generally quieter than Meelup Beach, and the waters are calm and protected so perfect for my kids. They also enjoy playing on the little park here.
13. Bunker Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 59km |📍LOCATION: Naturaliste WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Bunker Bay
✅Bunker Bay is an ideal beach for activities like swimming, fishing, snorkeling, or just relaxing under a beach umbrella.
✅As one of the few north-facing beaches in Western Australia, it offers a unique location for beachgoers.
✅You can expect to catch a variety of fish here, including herring, whiting, and skippy.
✅Located just a 49-minute drive from Margaret River, the beach comes with amenities like public toilets, showers, and a café that overlooks the water.
✅The northern part of Bunker Bay Beach is dog-friendly.
🏖️Summary: Nice beach here, I like getting a coffee at Bunkers Beach House and going for a walk along this pretty beach!
14. Shelley Cove
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 59km |📍LOCATION: Naturaliste WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Shelley Cove
✅Shelley Cove is a cozy, sheltered bay with a sandy beach that spans about 100 meters.
✅As a neighbor to Bunker Bay, this little protected cove provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, and snorkeling.
✅Fishing enthusiasts often frequent the rocky headland to the southeast (on the Dunsborough side of the cove).
✅While it’s a stunning snorkeling spot for older kids and adults, note that the water can get rough and cold.
🏖️Summary: This is more of a bay suitable for older kids and adults, so to be honest I haven’t spent much time here. Lots of people have told me it’s a hidden secret kind of beach, so if you’re in the area you might as well take a look!
Yallingup Beaches
15.Three Bears
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 60km |📍LOCATION: Naturaliste WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Three Bears Beach
✅Three Bears Beach (also known as Kabbijgup Beach) is accessible via a popular 4WD track, offering a fun off-road adventure. It’s not too challenging, consisting mainly of compact sand and a few rocky spots.
✅The beach is a local favorite surf spot, featuring three distinct breaks named baby bear, mama bear, and papa bear catering to beginners, intermediate, and advanced surfers respectively.
✅Along the beach, you can enjoy beautiful landscapes, long walks along the coast, or relaxing on the sand.
✅Facilities include a car park and toilets, and the beach itself is interesting for kids to explore.
✅However, due to the waves and rocks, it’s not the best place for swimming but a great location for surfers.
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16. Yallingup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 40km |📍LOCATION: Yallingup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Yallingup Beach
✅The beach splits into two main areas: Yallingup Lagoon on the left offers a calm, kid-friendly zone, while the right side has beach breaks and waves for more experienced swimmers and surfers.
✅The beach features BBQ facilities, an outdoor adventure playground for kids, public toilets, showers, and picnic spots.
✅Dog-friendly area is on the northern part of the beach, with access via the Dawson Drive path.
✅There’s also a really popular luxe beach kiosk across the road, called Lagoon Yallingup, serving up smart casual breakfasts and sumptuous seafood lunches, and you can even order online!
✅Be aware that the ocean here can be unpredictable and dangerous rips can occur, so always adhere to signage and respect the weather and ocean conditions.
🏖️Summary: We’ve been here heaps of times, moving Cape to Cape Hikers cars and whatnot, and I do really like it here. The beach is nice, the playground is awesome, the facilities are nice, and there are plenty of shady trees to have a picnic under. The only thing I’d say is it can be very busy here, so prepare to have a backup plan if you are coming here on a busy day, just in case it’s out of control.
17. Smiths Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 37km |📍LOCATION: Yallingup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Smiths Beach
✅Smiths Beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and fishing, making it a versatile choice for beachgoers.
✅Family-friendly areas for safe swimming are available, perfect for those with kids.
✅Don’t miss the nearby Aquarium, a favourite spot for snorkelling, just south of the beach.
✅Surfers will be excited by Super Tubes, a renowned surf break known for excellent tubes in shallow water. Be warned, it’s not for beginners!
✅Dogs are welcome before 9am and after 5pm from 1 December to 28 February, and all day for the rest of the year.
🏖️Summary: Smiths Beach is a great option because of Smiths Beach Resort. If you stay here, you can walk to the beach! Can’t get much better than that!
18. Injidup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 38km |📍LOCATION: Yallingup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Injidup Beach
✅Injidup Beach is part of the Injidup Sanctuary Zone, which allows beach fishing but not from recreational or commercial vessels. It’s a prime location to catch salmon and herring.
✅Known for its surf breaks, this beach features a few popular spots: Peabreak, Injidup Carpark, and Injidup Point.
✅Safety note: It’s not recommended for swimming, especially for families with young children. Safer beaches are available nearby.
19. Moses Rock
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 38km |📍LOCATION: Wilyabrup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Moses Rock
✅Moses Rock beach is accessible via Moses Rock Road from Caves Road, with a dirt road leading to a frequently busy car park.
✅This location is a starting and ending point for Cape to Cape walk and a one-hour hike to Quinninup Falls.
✅Popular for surfing, beachcombing, and exploring rock pools, Moses Rock Beach offers beautiful coastal scenery for photography.
✅As surf breaks, Moses Rock provides a gentle left-hander, optimal with westerly swells and easterly winds.
Gracetown Beaches
20. Honeycombs Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 29km |📍LOCATION: Wilyabrup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Honeycombs Beach
✅Reach Honeycombs Beach by taking Moses Rock Road, turning left at the T-junction, and proceeding to the Honeycombs car park. A walk over a large sand dune will lead you to the beach.
✅This beach is a small bay with white sand, perfect for sunbathing and exploring rocky areas.
✅It’s a popular spot for fishing, with the chance to catch tailor and herring.
✅Honeycombs Beach is a family-friendly location during summer and features some of the best beach breaks in the area when suitable sand banks are present.
✅With the right conditions and a swell of 1 to 1.5 meters, it’s a safe place for beginner surfers. Be aware, though, in the wrong conditions the waves can dump hard.
21. Gracetown Beach/Cowaramup Bay Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 17km |📍LOCATION: Gracetown WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Gracetown Beach/Cowaramup Bay Beach
✅Gracetown Beach is perfect for families, especially those with small children. It’s just a short walk from the large car park to the beach, and there are public toilets available.
✅Ideal for a range of activities, including snorkeling, fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
✅The town of Gracetown, located at the southern end of the bay, hosts a general store and café, making it a must-visit spot when in Margaret River.
✅Known as Cowaramup Bay among surfers, it features North Point, renowned as the premier right-hand reef/point break in Western Australia for its power and hollow barrels over rock ledges.
✅On days with swells over 3 meters, it’s recommended for advanced surfers only.
🏖️Summary: This is my pick of beaches close to Margaret River, especially if you have small children! Parking is close to the beach (important if you have heaps of stuff to take to the beach!) and the public toilet is close. Also it’s fun to explore the rock pools and the water is calm.
22. Huzzas
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 18km |📍LOCATION: Gracetown WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Huzzas
✅Known as one of the best spots for those learning to surf, Huzzas is located directly out from the “South Point” car park.
✅South Point, on the other side of the bay, is one of the most popular left-point waves in Western Australia, ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers.
✅One of the few waves in the region protected from southerly winds, with a swell range from 2 to 3.5 meters.
✅Huzzas features a small reef break that rolls over a shallow, weed-covered, rocky ledge close to the shore.
✅Huzzas offers both left and right waves that are typically rolling, not dumping, which provides plenty of time for beginners to get to their feet and learn to balance.
🏖️Summary: Stop here for a photo, it’s a really nice spot to look at the ocean.
23. Lefthanders Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 20km |📍LOCATION: Gracetown WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Lefthanders Beach
✅Located on the Ellensbrook coast, Lefthanders is accessed from the southern end of Gracetown, off a dirt track on Salter Drive, past Cobblestones break.
✅Left Handers offers a fairly easy wave, especially compared to the next break to the south, Umbies.
✅The beach can get crowded when the surf is up.
✅Lefties is best in offshore winds from the east and swells from the west southwest, with Autumn being the best time to visit.
✅The location features two benches at the cliff for sitting and enjoying the stunning view of the mist caused by crashing waves.
🏖️Summary: If you’re in the area, this is a beautiful spot to visit for photos. I wouldn’t swim here though, looks a bit rough with lots of rips. You’re better off swimming at Cowaramup Bay.
24. Ellensbrook Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 13km |📍LOCATION: Yebble WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Ellensbrook Beach
✅Ellensbrook Mainbreak is one of the most consistent waves on the coast.
✅Ideal surfing conditions at Ellensbrook occur with a west swell and an offshore wind from the east-northeast.
✅Nearby, Ellensbrook Bombie can produce impressive waves in the 15-20 foot range.
✅Both beaches are unpatrolled, and conditions can change quickly.
✅The ocean can be unpredictable, with dangerous rips potentially occurring.
🏖️Summary: Ellensbrook House is also here, if you fancy learning about history. Tours are available on Sundays and public holidays from 10.30am.
Margaret River Beaches
25. Gnoocardup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 13km |📍LOCATION: Yebble WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Gnoocardup Beach
✅Gnoocardup Beach is a small, white sandy beach nestled between two rocky outcrops.
✅It’s located north of the well-known Kilcarnup Beach and is accessible by 4WD only.
✅It’s somewhat of a secret spot, often visited by a handful of locals when the surf is up.
✅The beach is perfect for a quiet picnic, a stroll along the white sand, or exploring rock pools with kids.
✅The beach is suitable for fishing but it’s a steep 70m walk down steep stairs from the parking area, so be prepared to carry all your gear.
✅There’s a surf break almost directly in front of the lookout and pathway down, which isn’t consistent and is best on off-shore days. A few locals prefer to surf here due to the low crowd.
✅The beach is not recommended for swimming due to waves of 1m-1.5m and a quick drop-off.
🏖️Summary: Gnoocardup Beach is a lovely secret beach here if you’re up for the 4WD!
26. Kilcarnup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 13km |📍LOCATION: Yebble WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Kilcarnup Beach
✅Kilcarnup Beach is a popular spot with locals, with the 4WD track starting about ten minutes north of Margaret River, Western Australia.
✅The beach is family-friendly and a fantastic place for kids to learn surfing.
✅Kilcarnup Beach is a remote and peaceful spot, without any shops, toilets, or park benches. Be sure to bring everything you need.
✅Fishing is a prime activity here with abundant Herring, Tailor, Skippy, and deep channel Mulloway. You can also catch Salmon during their annual run.
✅The beach is renowned for surfing, offering easy conditions for beginners to learn.
🏖️Summary: Kilcarnup Beach is a great spot for a day trip. There is plenty to do, and the views are stunning. Take a picnic, let the kids have a surf, and be sure to take all your rubbish with you. If you’re looking for a beaut day at the beach, Kilcarnup Beach should definitely be on your list!
27. Margaret River Mouth
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 9km |📍LOCATION: Prevelly WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Margaret River Mouth
✅Margaret River River Mouth is a fantastic spot offering natural beauty and great surfing conditions with consistent breaks and appealing lefts on both reefs.
✅Convenient beach access allows visitors to cross the river mouth to the beach, especially during drier months when the river mouth is blocked by rising sands.
✅The location features well-maintained walking trails along both the river and the coastline, providing excellent outdoor exploration opportunities.
✅There’s also a trail heading south along the coastline to a lookout where both the River Mouth and Surfers Point can be seen. You can enjoy a picnic and a barbecue with a stunning view!
✅The River itself is very safe for young kids to splash around in, and our kids have played here plenty of times!
🏖️Summary: Definitely recommend a visit here too, it’s great in winter to watch the waves crashing and in summer, it’s a nice safe place for the kids to splash around in. From what I gather it’s a great beach to learn to surf on as well.
28. Surfers Point
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 9km |📍LOCATION: Prevelly WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Surfers Point
✅Margaret River Main Break, famous for its big waves and consistent swells, is the top surfing spot in Margaret River and the venue for the annual Margaret River Pro surfing event.
✅Even if you’re not up for surfing, you can enjoy watching from the facilities designed for spectators. It’s a wonderful place to hang out, particularly in the evenings, for the breathtaking sunset views.
✅It’s not uncommon to stumble upon spontaneous jam sessions adding to the cool vibe of the place.
✅I advise against swimming at Surfers Point, especially with small children, but it’s a great beach for a walk and perfect for taking in the sunset and the view.
✅Only an 8-minute drive from Margaret River, the beach offers facilities like toilets and showers. Plus, you can find accommodation, a general store, and a café in nearby Prevelly.
🏖️Summary: Highly recommend grabbing some snacks and drinks and heading here for a sunset, at least one night of your trip. It’s a real vibe!
29. Gnarabup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 9km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Gnarabup Beach
✅Gnarabup Beach, just south of Surfers Point, is a perfect swimming beach for families, especially those with small children, thanks to its sheltered nature due to a limestone reef and a southern headland.
✅At the north end of the beach is Riflebutts Reserve which features a playground for kids, an off-leash area for dogs, toilets, and picnic tables.
✅The beach also has a busy boat ramp for those who want to take their boat into the water.
✅The iconic White Elephant Beach Cafe is located here, providing casual beachside dining options.
✅Only a 7-minute drive from Margaret River, Gnarabup Beach comes highly recommended for those with limited time looking for a great spot to swim.
🏖️Summary: If you are staying in Margaret River town or Prevelly, this is the place to come for a swim!
30. Grunters Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 12km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Grunters Beach
✅Grunters Beach, located along Walcliffe Road past Gnarabup Beach, is popular among locals for its challenging waves and great barrels.
✅The surf at Grunters is consistent and can be good at any time of the year.
✅Ideal conditions occur when a west-southwest swell combines with an offshore wind from the east-northeast.
✅The carpark is a nice place for photos, so bring your camera!
31. Gas Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 12km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Gas Bay
✅Gas Bay, located south along Walcliffe Road past Gnarabup Beach, offers a challenging surfing experience.
✅The beach is often fairly crowded.
✅Gas Bay features an exposed reef break with reliable surf, particularly during the summer months.
✅The best conditions occur with offshore winds from the east and swells from the south-southwest.
✅The surf can become messy when the tide changes as sand flushes onto the reef, but it clears up once the tide settles.
32. Boodjidup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 12km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Boodjidup Beach
✅Boodjidup Beach offers about 2km of white, sandy shoreline for walking, and very popular with local surfers.
✅The beach can be found by heading to the Gas Bay carpark and following the sandy track south.
✅A half-hour walk will take you to Boodjidup Creek, a great spot to rest or turn back.
✅If you approach Boodjidup Beach from the south, near Redgate, you’ll find a quiet, ideal swimming spot.
✅Please note that there are no facilities at Boodjidup Beach.
33. Redgate Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 14km |📍LOCATION: Redgate WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Redgate Beach
✅Redgate Beach, nestled between rocky outcrops, is known for its sandy beach and popular surf break.
✅Perfect for a relaxed beach break or surfing heavy reef breaks, it is set among beautiful coastal dunes and ancient granite boulders.
✅Suitable for beginners in the right conditions, but be aware of potential rips. It performs well with a south-to-south-west swell and easterly wind.
✅Only line fishing and diving for rock lobster are permitted. No rock lobster or octopus potting is allowed.
✅This is also a suitable beach for kids in the right conditions, though if its windy and choppy be prepared to head to another beach.
🏖️Summary: I love this beach during winter, after a storm the waves are intense and make for great photos!
34. Contos Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 22km |📍LOCATION: Boranup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Contos Beach
✅Contos Beach offers a sense of remoteness, situated at the end of a few kilometers of rugged gravel road surrounded by dense bushland.
✅The lack of crowds ensures finding a secluded spot on the long coastline is a breeze.
✅Unlike some other remote spots, Contos Beach is accessible to all vehicles.
✅Swimming is enjoyable in the summer while hiking in the cooler months offers a unique connection to the landscape.
✅Kids can enjoy exploring rock pools and clambering on rock formations.
🏖️Summary: I like this drive. Conto Road has lots to look at! And Contos Beach itself is nice for swimming and fishing.
Augusta Beaches
35. Boranup Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 31km |📍LOCATION: Boranup WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Boranup Beach
✅Boranup Beach, one of the longest beaches in the Margaret River Region, boasts 7.8km of white, sandy coastline.
✅You can drive along a significant portion of the beach, but be aware of sections that get too close to the water, where you might need to turn back.
✅Soft sand in winter and close to the water requires lowering your tire pressures, so take care to avoid getting stuck on this remote beach.
✅Excellent fishing opportunities await, with plenty of Herring, Tailor, Skippy, and even Mulloway in the deeper channels. It’s also a great spot during the annual Salmon run.
✅While swimming is possible, extreme caution is advised due to serious rips and undertows. Remember, it’s a remote and unpatrolled beach, so help could be far away in case of an emergency.
36. Hamelin Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 35km |📍LOCATION: Hamelin Bay WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Hamelin Bay
✅Hamelin Bay is a must-visit location with its bright white sand, turquoise waters, and spectacular coastal cliff walks.
✅The sheltered bay offers great swimming, snorkeling, and fishing opportunities. Divers can also explore a nearby shipwreck.
✅Stingrays are often seen near the shoreline. Remember, these are wild creatures, so maintain a respectful distance and do not touch, feed, or disturb them.
✅The beach in front of the caravan park offers fishing opportunities for herring, squid, skippy, king george whiting, and sometimes jumbo tailor & mulloway.
✅Facilities at Hamelin Bay include a caravan park, a small shop, public toilets, and a boat ramp.
🏖️Summary: This is an excellent beach for kids to swim at, but it’s fun any time of year to see the stingrays. The old, fallen-apart jetty makes for a great photo here as well, so make sure you bring your camera.
37. Foul Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 37km |📍LOCATION: Hamelin Bay WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Foul Bay
✅Foul Bay, also known as “Stinkies” to locals, is a diverse and beautiful bay in the Margaret River Region, Western Australia.
✅This bay is excellent for swimming, surfing, fishing, and hiking.
✅One of the trails leads to Foul Bay Lighthouse, a lesser-known lighthouse compared to Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouses.
✅The fishing is great, with herring, tailor, skippy, and even mulloway found in the deeper channels. It’s also a great spot for catching salmon during the annual run.
✅Caution is advised when swimming at Foul Bay due to potential strong currents and rips. As it’s an unpatrolled beach far from help, ensure you take the necessary safety precautions.
38. Cosy Corner
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 38km |📍LOCATION: Hamelin Bay WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Cosy Corner
✅Cosy Corner Beach is typically sheltered and perfect for swimming.
✅This is an ideal spot for diving if the weather permits and you’re up for carrying heavy scuba gear down a steep path.
✅The beach features a variety of landscapes including gutters, holes, channels, reefs, weed beds, and long sandy stretches – all excellent places for fish.
✅During the salmon season, the fish are so close to shore, you could almost catch them by hand!
✅Yellowtail kingfish and Samson fish often roam the shores in small groups, eager to bite on live baits, lures, and dead baits.
🏖️Summary: Cosy Corner is an excellent place to take the family, where everyone can fish and swim. The only thing working against it, is the long path up and down!
39. Deepdene Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 43km |📍LOCATION: Deepdene WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Deepdene Beach
✅To access Deepdene Beach, follow Cosy Corner Road from Caves Road and take the second left onto a 4WD track, which is shared with the Cape to Cape Track for a few hundred meters – caution is advised.
✅The 4WD track is narrow and might scratch your vehicle.
✅Deepdene Beach has very soft sand, so make sure your vehicle has high clearance and reduce tire pressure to at least 12PSI for a safe drive.
✅During the salmon season, schools of fish often travel close to shore, making them easily accessible.
✅The beach is packed with features like gutters, holes, channels, reefs, weed beds, and sandy stretches – all perfect for fishing.
🏖️Summary: Only those with significant 4WD experience should attempt this. Ensure you’re equipped with the appropriate recovery gear and are journeying with a companion vehicle. Numerous vehicles have become trapped in this soft sand, including ours… perhaps… haha!
40. Quarry Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 51km |📍LOCATION: Leeuwin WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Quarry Bay
✅Quarry Bay is a U-shaped, west-facing bay, 200m long.
✅Access is easy, thanks to a gravel road off the Skippy Rock road that leads to a car park at the back of the beach.
✅Quarry Bay has a unique history – limestone was extracted here for the construction of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse just a few hundred metres away.
✅This beach is generally suitable for swimming near the shore, though sometimes there might be significant seaweed.
✅We have enjoyed fishing here before, although we did pull in a bit of weed.
41. Ringbolt Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 50km |📍LOCATION: X, Margaret River WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Ringbolt Bay
✅Ringbolt Bay is a hidden gem, tucked away off Leeuwin Road; reach it via a rugged track – not suitable for standard vehicles.
✅A convenient car park is available at the end of the track. Steps lead down to a compact, sandy beach, protected by the granite outcrop of Point Matthew.
✅Besides being a top-notch fishing spot, it’s a safe, lovely location for a summer swim.
✅The beach features a mix of rocks, sand holes, channels, weeds, and reefs – a dream for any fishing enthusiast.
✅It’s known as a garfish hotspot, where large specimens can be caught year-round. King George Whiting, herring, and skippy are frequently caught here as well.
🏖️Summary: We’ve fished here plenty of times. Nice spot 🎣
42. Dead Finish
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 51km |📍LOCATION: Leeuwin WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Dead Finish
✅Dead Finish, located in Augusta, WA, was once a bustling spot for commercial fishing boats, now it’s a peaceful, secluded beach, partially blocked by large boulders.
✅There’s a jetty specifically designed for use by people with disabilities, ensuring inclusive beach fun.
✅The beach is a haven for anglers, offering a wide range of fish including whiting, bream, flatheads, herring, tailor, and salmon.
✅Take a stroll north along the beach to spot a significant sand channel through the reef areas, acting like a funnel for sea life. Expect to see bronze whaler sharks swimming close to shore.
🏖️Summary: My kids enjoy playing on the beach here, and exploring the rocks. Parking is really close so we like to fish with the kids here as well, although we’ve never caught much good.
43. Granny’s Pool
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 46km |📍LOCATION: Flinders Bay WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Grannys Pool
✅Enclosed by an ocean outcrop that breaks southerly swells, the beach offers calm, blue waters in a stunning coastal setting.
✅This family-friendly beach is perfect for hunting for crabs, snorkeling in the shallows, and relaxing under shade trees.
✅It’s typically quiet, never crowded, making it ideal for tranquil beach days.
✅Excellent spot for snorkeling, especially for children, with many fish found around the rocks.
✅Conveniently located near Flinders Bay, it’s a short walk or drive to nearby facilities like toilets.
🏖️Summary: I love Augusta, so I might be biased, but definitely stop here for a gander on your way past 🥰
44. Flinders Bay
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 46km |📍LOCATION: Flinders Bay WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Flinders Bay
✅Flinders Bay is a fantastic, frequently visited beach, perfect for a family outing.
✅Two picturesque jetties, extensive shady trees, and free gas BBQs elevate the beach experience.
✅On-site amenities include picnic tables, outdoor showers, public toilets, and an engaging playground for kids, known to us as the Pirate Park (this is probably not the official name!).
✅The beach is safe for swimming, even suitable for kids, and is a popular spot year-round, even during winter.
✅We have seen whales here during winter.
🏖️Summary: This is probably my favourite beach in the Margaret River Region. It’s an ideal spot year-round for a picnic/fish and chips, as the shelter provides wind protection, the kids love the playground, there’s a fun old peppy tree to climb, there’s a funny little creek to explore, there’s heaps of parking, it’s a really nice and safe beach to swim at, and the view is as good as it gets! Go here!
45. Augusta Dog Beach/Jays Beach
🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 42km |📍LOCATION: Augusta WA | Google Maps
♥️Why You Will Love Augusta Dog Beach
✅I count Augusta Dog Beach (not it’s official name by the way, just what we call it) all the way from the mouth of the Blackwood River at the Colourpatch around to Flinders Bay.
✅Drive along Albany Terrace and you’ll find heaps of places to pull over and park, and either watch the ocean from your car or get out and walk around.
✅I often see windsurfers and regular surfers here, when the conditions are right.
✅I wouldn’t swim here, only because Flinders Bay and Granny’s Pool are nicer.
✅Dogs are allowed off-leash along here, from the Rivermouth down to Flinders Bay Caravan Park.
🏖️Summary: This is a nice beach for a walk, although it can get weedy. The kids enjoy exploring around the rocks. We like sitting in our car and eating fish and chips and just watching!
Wrapping Up: Margaret River Beaches
Margaret River has some of the best beaches in the world. With its beautiful coastline, perfect climate and amazing waves, it’s no wonder that this region is such a popular destination for beach lovers.
Margaret River beaches are perfect if you’re looking to surf, swim or just relax on the sand. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!
More Beaches:
- Injidup Beach: Your Complete Guide
- Kilcarnup Beach: Your Complete Guide
- Wonnerup Beach [LOCALS’ GUIDE]
- Dog-Friendly Beaches In Margaret River
- Forrest Beach Busselton: Your Complete Guide!
- Boranup Beach: Your Complete Guide
- Where Is Foul Bay And Why Should I Go?
- Peppermint Grove Beach: Your Complete Guide!
- Gnoocardup Beach: LOCALS GUIDE
Australia Travel Planning Guide
🚑Should I buy Australian travel insurance?
100% YES! — Australia has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens and permanent residents. Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I like SafetyWing – their Nomad Insurance starts at just $1.50 USD a day!
🚗Should I rent a car in Australia?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Australia! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, and even if you’re staying in a major city, you’ll want to rent a car. If you are visiting Margaret River, it will be even more important that you hire a car, you’ll need it to be able to get around and see all the great attractions and wineries!
🏨What’s the best way to book my Australian accommodation?
My go-to for Australian hotels is Booking.com. Pretty much all registered accommodation use Booking.com (but not necessarily any of the other major booking platforms), and even most of the holiday homes and caravan parks use Booking.com too!
If you’re planning a trip to Australia where you will stay at multiple locations, it’s super handy to have all your accommodation listed in one place, and accommodation owners like Booking.com because it’s easy to contact the guests using the messaging platform if the guest has an international phone number.
I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit to Margaret River!
Australia Travel Planning Guide
🚑Should I buy Australian travel insurance?
100% YES! — Australia has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens and permanent residents. Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I like SafetyWing – their Nomad Insurance starts at just $1.50 USD a day!
🚗Should I rent a car in Australia?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Australia! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, and even if you’re staying in a major city, you’ll want to rent a car. If you are visiting Margaret River, it will be even more important that you hire a car, you’ll need it to be able to get around and see all the great attractions and wineries!
🏨What’s the best way to book my Australian accommodation?
My go-to for Australian hotels is Booking.com. Pretty much all registered accommodation use Booking.com (but not necessarily any of the other major booking platforms), and even most of the holiday homes and caravan parks use Booking.com too!
If you’re planning a trip to Australia where you will stay at multiple locations, it’s super handy to have all your accommodation listed in one place, and accommodation owners like Booking.com because it’s easy to contact the guests using the messaging platform if the guest has an international phone number.
I sincerely hope you enjoy your visit to Margaret River!