17 Best Margaret River Beaches: 2023 Guide
Are you looking for the best Margaret River beaches?
Or even the best beaches in Margaret River?
There are many reasons why Margaret River has the best beaches in the world. The region is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, from the stunning coastline to the lush forests and vineyards.
The climate is also perfect for beach lovers, with warm summers and mild winters. And of course, the waves here are some of the best in the world.
Whether you’re a surfer, a swimmer, or just someone who loves to relax on the sand, you’ll find the perfect beach in Margaret River.
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Here are the 17 Best Margaret River Beaches, in order of North to South;
- Castle Rock Bay
- Meelup Beach
- Point Picquet
- Eagle Bay
- Bunker Bay
- Yallingup Beach
- Smiths Beach
- Injidup Beach
- Moses Rock
- Honeycombs Beach
- Cowaramup Bay
- Margaret River Mouth
- Surfers Point
- Gnarabup Beach
- Boodjidup Beach
- Hamelin Bay
- Flinders Bay
Our List Of 17 Best Margaret River Beaches
1. Castle Rock Bay
Castle Rock Bay is a calm, tranquil body of water located on the eastern side of Cape Naturaliste.
It’s surrounded by impressive rock formations to both east (Castle Rock) and west (Sail Rock). This spot provides an incredible backdrop for fishing, swimming, surfing or just relaxing in nature’s beauty!
Castle Rock Bay is a 45-minute drive from Margaret River, and you will find public toilets and gas barbecues here.
This beach is popular with tourists because of Castle Rock, so try arriving at dawn or dusk if you want to take an incredible photo.
Location: Google Maps
2. Meelup Beach
Meelup Beach is a picturesque stretch of sand located in one of the most beautiful parts of Earth – Geographe Bay. With lifeguards patrol during the summer months, it makes it a safe beach for young children.
Meelup Beach is perfect for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, and the shaded grass areas make a great spot to have a picnic.
Meelup Beach is a 45-minute drive from Margaret River, and you will find public toilets, BBQs and picnic tables here.
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Location: Google Maps
3. Point Picquet
Point Picquet forms part of the protected Eagle Bay Special Purpose Zone and there is a big chance if you visit between June and November, that you’ll see a passing whale.
This is a nice beach to swim, although there can be rocks that you need to clamber across to get to shore. Point Picquet is also excellent for fishing, year-round for herring and then salmon when the season is right.
Point Picquet is a 47-minute drive from Margaret River.
Location: Google Maps
4. Eagle Bay
Eagle Bay Beach forms part of the protected Eagle Bay Special Purpose Zone and when you visit, you’ll see why.
Beautiful white sand and more often than not, there are not many people there, this is a fabulous beach for swimming, especially for families with children as it is usually calm and safe.
This is also a good location to fish, especially salmon during Autumn. Eagle Bay is also great for kayaking, snorkeling, and taking photos of turquoise-colored water.
Eagle Bay is a 47-minute drive from Margaret River and is a nice spot to picnic. Across the road from the beach is a public toilet and outside shower.
Location: Google Maps
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5. Bunker Bay
Another beach perfect for swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and lying underneath a beach umbrella. This is one of the few north-facing beaches in Western Australia.
If you throw a line in here, you should be able to catch a herring, whiting, or a skippy.
Bunker Bay is a 49-minute drive from Margaret River and here you will find public toilets and showers, and a nearby cafe overlooking the water.
Location: Google Maps
6. Yallingup Beach
Yallingup Beach quite literally, has it all. Big waves offshore for surfers and a sheltered lagoon perfect for safe family swimming. Here you will find BBQs, an outdoor adventure playground that is so much fun for the kids, public toilets, showers, and picnic spots.
There’s also a really popular luxe beach kiosk across the road, serving up smart casual breakfasts and sumptuous seafood lunches.
Yallingup Beach is a 35-minute drive from Margaret River and the northern part of the beach is dog-friendly.
Location: Google Maps
7. Smiths Beach
Smiths Beach is a well-known swimming, surfing, and fishing location. Sheltered areas provide great conditions for family swimming and it’s also just a nice place to walk along and relax in the sunshine.
Smiths Beach is most famous for its surf break Super Tubes, a hollow right-hand reef break producing excellent tubes in shallow water and not for the inexperienced.
This is also an excellent location to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean.
Smiths Beach is a 35-minute drive from Margaret River and there is a Gourmet Deli and Wine Store just across the road from the beach if you need anything.
Location: Google Maps
8. Injidup Beach
Injidup Beach forms part of the Injidup Sanctuary Zone, so fishing from recreational or commercial vessels is not permitted here, however, fishing from the beach is. This is a good spot to target salmon during their run, and herring.
Injidup Beach also has a couple of surfing spots in close proximity, Peabreak, Injidup Carpark, and Injidup Point. I would not recommend swimming here though, especially with young children, there are plenty of nearby beaches that are far safer than this one!
Injidup Beach is a 34-minute drive from Margaret River and has a public toilet and lookout.
Location: Google Maps
9. Moses Rock
To find this beach, take Moses Rock Road off Caves Road up to the T-junction, turn right and follow the dirt road to the car park at the end.
This car park is often busy as this is a common start and end point for people doing the Cape to Cape walk and also people visiting Quinninup Falls which is a one-hour hike in and out, give or take.
Moses Rock is a popular surf break as well, and a nice place to do beachcombing and explore rock pools. I like Moses Rock just to stop and take some photos, it’s a very scenic stretch of the coast!
Moses Rock is a 28-minute drive from Margaret River and there is a rough public toilet here.
Location: Google Maps
10. Honeycombs Beach
To get to Honeycombs Beach, take Moses Rock Road, and at the T-junction, turn left, which will take you to the Honeycombs car park. Walk over the large sand dune and you’ll see the beach.
Honeycombs Beach is a small bay with white sand and is a nice place for sunbathing. There are several rocky areas that are fun to explore and this is also a fun spot to cast out a fishing line and try and catch yourself some tailor and herring.
Honeycombs Beach is a 28-minute drive from Margaret River.
Location: Google Maps
11. Gracetown Beach
Gracetown Beach is probably my family’s favorite beach near Margaret River, just because it’s a really good beach for small children. There’s a large car park, and it’s a short walk from the car to the beach (this is important when you have a lot of kids!!!) and toilets.
This is a great place to snorkel, fish, and stand-up paddleboard and it’s wedged between two surf breaks so it’s also really fun to watch the surfing here. It also has an excellent boat ramp.
For me, Gracetown is a must-visit destination if you’re visiting Margaret River.
Gracetown Beach is a 17-minute drive from Margaret River and the nearby Gracies General Store is worth a visit if you go. Dogs are allowed on the beach across from the cafe and shop.
Location: Google Maps
12. Margaret River Mouth
We have spent a fair bit of time down at the River Mouth with our kids. In summer, the River Mouth closes, turning the river into a shallow, calm pool, making it perfect for children to swim in. In winter it just looks really cool, when the river flows through to the ocean.
The river is suitable for canoeing and you can enjoy a fun-packed outdoor adventure on a half-day canoe tour which includes a gourmet lunch spread made from native Australian ingredients, while you learn about local history and native wildlife from your informative guide.
This is a popular beach for beginners and kids to surf, and we have also seen plenty of people fishing here as well.
There are toilets and showers here, and Prevelly is just up the road where you will find accommodation, a general store, and a cafe.
Margaret River Mouth is a 9-minute drive from Margaret River
Location: Google Maps
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13. Surfers Point
Margaret River Main Break is located here, a reef break famous for its big waves and solid swells.
This is the number one surfing location in Margaret River, and where the Margaret River Pro is held every year.
If you aren’t keen to paddle out there are awesome facilities here for spectators. It is a great vibe here in the evenings with locals and travelers hanging out and enjoying the best sunset in the State.
The viewing area is up high and you can see five different reef breaks from the headland.
Sometimes you’ll even catch an impromptu jam session. Coffee vans and food trucks also frequent Surfers Point. Hooked Up Fish & Chips also has a permanent spot at Surfers Point from Wednesdays to Mondays.
Locals Tip: Surfers Point is a nice beach to walk along, and I always bring visitors here for the sunset and the view, but there’s no way I would take my small children for a swim here.
Surfers Point is an 8-minute drive from Margaret River. There are toilets and showers here, and Prevelly is just up the road where you will find accommodation, a general store, and a cafe.
Location: Google Maps
14. Gnarabup Beach
Just south of the famous Surfers Point, Gnarabup Beach is sheltered by limestone reef and a headland to the south, making it an excellent swimming beach in Margaret River, especially for smaller children.
Riflebutts Reserve is located at the north end of the beach, and has a kids playground, a grassed area where you are allowed to have your dogs off lead, toilets, and picnic tables.
Gnarabup Beach also has a busy boat ramp, and you will also find the iconic White Elephant Beach Cafe, which offers unpretentious, casual beachside dining.
Local surf schools use Gnarabup for their “How to Surf” classes as it has a great wave for beginners and learners.
Gnarabup Beach is a 7-minute drive from Margaret River, and would be my recommendation to swim at if you only had time to visit one beach for a swim.
Location: Google Maps
15. Boodjidup Beach
This beach has about 2km of white, sandy shoreline to walk along. To find this beach, head to the Gas Bay carpark and follow the sandy track to the south.
If you walk along for about half an hour you’ll come to Boodjidup Creek, which is a good spot to turn around, unless you want to continue to Redgate.
If you are into surfing, Boodjidup Beach is a great option, as there are numerous spots worth surfing along the entire stretch of beach.
If you head to Boojidup Beach from the south, near Redgate, you’ll find a lovely, quiet beach perfect for swimming.
Boodjidup Beach is an 11-minute drive from Margaret River. There are no facilities here.
Location: Google Maps
16. Hamelin Bay
If you’re looking for a Margaret River beach that couples as a destination in itself, Hamelin Bay it is!
Hamelin Bay has become most famous these days for the friendly stingrays that swim right up to the shore to frolic around the visitors. If this is the main reason you are going to Hamelin Bay, it’s best if you get there earlier in the morning before crowds, tides and winds come in.
It is also a tourism hotspot thanks the beautiful stretch of white, sandy beach, and excellent snorkeling, diving, and fishing you can do here.
You can either cast out a line on the beach or there is a boat ramp to launch a boat from if you’re that way inclined. It’s also a really safe beach for kids to swim at.
The old, fallen apart jetty makes for a great photo here as well, so make sure you bring your camera.
Hamelin Bay is a 30-minute drive from Margaret River, and you will find public toilets here.
Location: Google Maps
17. Flinders Bay
I have saved my favorite beach until last here.
We have literally been to Flinders Bay more times than I can count! We will generally grab Fish And Chips and then head straight here as there is a nice shelter to sit under while we eat our lunch.
You can find a bit of everything at this beautiful beach.
You have granite rock outcrops and boulders 50 meters offshore, clear sandy bottom between rocks, and a floating pontoon swimming platform where you can jump into deep waters for those who want their adrenaline-pumping adventure!
There are two small jetties that make for a nice photo, huge shady trees, free gas BBQs, picnic tables, outdoor showers, public toilets, and an awesome playground my kids lovingly call the Pirate Park (you’ll see why when you go!) although they spend most of their time climbing up the old Peppy Tree.
I also think it’s a really safe beach for kids to swim at, and when we go we often see people swimming there, even in the middle of winter.
We have also seen plenty of whales pass by here at the right time of year as well.
Flinders Bay is a 41-minute drive from Margaret River, just past Augusta, and makes for a lovely afternoon trip out with the kids.
Location: Google Maps
Conclusion
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!
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