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The best beaches in Adelaide for swimming, sunsets and seaside dining

Credit: Tommy Woods Photography / @iamtommywoods

Tegan Forder Tegan Forder
Adelaide’s best-kept secret isn’t its wine, its food or its festivals. It’s the 70-kilometre stretch of metropolitan coastline.

Adelaide’s beaches are destinations in their own right – and with so many strung along the coast, there’s one to suit every mood. Spend a lazy afternoon at a family-friendly spot, chase a swell at a surf beach, or linger over dinner on one of the city’s buzzing beachside dining strips. The best part? You’re never far from any of them. Here’s our guide to Adelaide’s best beaches.

In short

If you only visit one beach in Adelaide, make it Semaphore for its wide expanse of sand and lawns, shallow kid-friendly waters and old-fashioned seaside charm.

1. Semaphore Beach

Semaphore Beach at sunset
The sky ablaze over Semaphore Beach. (Credit: Tommy Woods Photography / @iamtommywoods)

Driving time from Adelaide: 25 minutes
Best for: A fun day out for families
Description: Long, quiet and packing heritage charm – Semaphore Beach is one of Adelaide’s best-kept secrets.

Just half an hour from the CBD, Semaphore has a nostalgic, almost timeless quality with a vintage carousel, art deco buildings and independent shops and cafes.

The beach itself is wide and flat, with gentle waves that make it one of the safest swimming spots in the city, particularly for young children. Patrolled through summer, its calm conditions are thanks to its sheltered position with the Yorke Peninsula visible on the horizon on a clear day.

When hunger strikes, Semaphore Road delivers. The grandeur of the 1920s Palais – originally built as a bathing pavilion and now a pub – is the obvious destination for a long lunch and a front-row seat for the sunset. Take a parcel of Sotos fish and chips out to the expansive section of lawn while the kids make use of the playground.

We like to visit at Easter when the Adelaide International Kite Festival fills the sky with giant aerodynamic kites shaped like dragons, octopuses and superheroes.

2. Port Noarlunga

surfers at Port Noarlunga, Adelaide
Witness surfers sway their way through the swells. (Credit: Trent Martin Photography)

Driving time from Adelaide: 35 minutes
Best for: Snorkellers and divers
Description: The beaches start to get more rugged and wild south of the city. Spend an afternoon snorkelling and enjoying the spoils of the village of Port Noarlunga.

For those wanting their beaches with a little more wave, Port Noarlunga is a good place to start. Framed by striking red sandstone cliffs and anchored by a long jetty, it’s one of the most iconic stretches of coastline in South Australia – and beneath the surface, it’s even more impressive.

The Port Noarlunga Reef Aquatic Reserve, part of the protected Encounter Marine Park, runs roughly a kilometre parallel to the beach and is considered one of the best shore-accessible reef snorkelling sites in Australia. More than 200 species of marine life and plants call the reef home, making it a genuinely rewarding destination for snorkellers and divers of all experience levels – no boat required.

3. Henley Beach

Henley Beach Jetty, Adelaide
Calm seas at Henley Beach. (Credit: Nathan Godwin)

Driving time from Adelaide: 20 minutes
Best for: Seafood and a sunset
Description: A local favourite for a quick dip after work followed by dinner and a drink.

Situated just 12 kilometres west of the CBD, Henley Beach has earned a well-deserved reputation as Adelaide’s premier sunset-watching destination.

The historic jetty is the obvious vantage point, but the esplanade walk is equally popular, drawing cyclists, joggers and walkers at all hours.

Shops, cafes and restaurants line the strip – for something casual, grab a kebab (chips included) from Cheeky Greek to eat on the lawn and finish with an ice-cream from Bottega Gelateria. Those after something more substantial can head upstairs to HNLY, where the food and drinks match the elevated view.

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4. West Beach

Wild Rides Jet Ski Tours at West Beach
Jump on a jet ski at West Beach. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Driving time from Adelaide: 20 minutes
Best for:  An active day out
Description: A beach that comes with plenty to do – from climbing, mini golf and a quality caravan park.

Stretching three kilometres between Glenelg North and Henley Beach South, West Beach occupies a central spot on Adelaide’s coast yet remains surprisingly quiet compared to its more famous neighbours. Just ten minutes from the airport, it’s an easy first stop for new arrivals.

The beach is wide, open and backed by low dunes and the West Beach Parks recreation precinct, with a caravan park, mini golf, bike riding circuit and adventure climb all close by.

The water is calm and safe for swimming, and the lack of a major dining strip keeps the crowd pleasingly local – dog walkers, joggers, kite surfers and families who simply want room to spread out.

5. Largs Bay

Largs Bay Jetty, Adelaide
Stroll along Largs Bay Jetty at sunset. (Credit: Ben Goode)

Where: 25 minutes
Best for: Families looking for a swim
Description: A beach over from Semaphore but on the quieter side.

One of Adelaide’s most northerly beaches, Largs Bay is also its quietest and most expansive. Stroll along the sand on the right morning and you might feel like you have the whole coast to yourself. The water is shallow and gentle, making it one of the safest family beaches on the metropolitan strip – ideal for kids happy to splash about in the shallows for hours.

The jetty is worth a visit in its own right: try your luck fishing, or keep an eye on the water for seals, dolphins and the occasional passing whale. When the wind picks up, kite surfers make the most of the conditions, while the calmer days draw paddle boarders and kayakers.

Back on shore, grab an ice cream or an old-school packet of fish and chips from the legendary Sotos (pre-order online to beat the queue), or let the kids loose on the ice cream-themed playground. For something more substantial, the historic Largs Bay Hotel sits just across the road – cold drink in hand, looking back over the sea, it’s a fine way to end the afternoon.

6. Moana Beach

Where: 40 minutes
Best for: Car access
Description: Situated south of Adelaide between Seaford and Maslin beaches, Moana is a popular beachside town for families during the holidays. It’s also close enough for a day trip, which makes it worthy of a spot in this stellar selection.

Moana Beach is where Adelaide’s surf culture comes alive. Located 35 kilometres south of the CBD, Moana consistently produces the best waves on Adelaide’s metropolitan coast, attracting surfers of all abilities from dawn till dusk. The beach faces southwest, catching the prevailing swells that roll in from the Southern Ocean, and delivers reliable surf ranging from gentle beginner waves on small days to challenging breaks when the swell picks up.

New to surfing? Surf & Sun run lessons and hire out boards, wetsuits and stand-up paddleboards right from the beach, making it easy to get started. And one of Moana’s best-kept secrets: this is one of the few Adelaide beaches where you can drive your car right onto the sand – making a full day’s set-up considerably easier than it sounds.

After you’ve dried off, the Deep Blue Café is the natural landing spot – a laid-back beachfront venue with excellent coffee, great hot chips and the kind of easy atmosphere that makes it hard to leave.

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7. Seacliff Beach

Where: 25 minutes
Best for: Dolphin watching
Description: Thanks to a beautifully curving coastline, Seacliff Beach provides swimmers with a safe, sheltered place to take a dip.

The water here has a habit of drawing company – dolphins regularly patrol this stretch of coastline, and hiring a stand-up paddleboard to explore by water gives you a decent chance of an encounter with them up close.

After working up an appetite, the Seacliff Beach Hotel has been a local’s go-to since 1935, serving ice-cold drinks and pub food with the kind of reliability that keeps people coming back for decades. The ocean views don’t hurt either.

8. Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach at sunset
Brighton Beach is bathed in a fiery light moments before sundown. (Credit: Samuel Price)

Where: 25 minutes
Best for: Fish and chips
Description: Like Henley, Brighton Beach is an equally popular option for Adelaide city-dwellers.

Brighton is a beach built for wandering. The esplanade stretches north to Somerton and south to Seacliff, making it one of Adelaide’s great beach-to-beach walking routes – flat, scenic and easily done at whatever pace suits the day. Those who’d rather stay put are equally well catered for: pull up a spot under the jetty for shade or pitch a tent and claim your patch of sand.

The jetty itself is something of a local institution, hosting two events that have become fixtures on the coastal calendar. The Brighton Jetty Classic draws open-water swimmers from across the state, while the Brighton Jetty Sculptures exhibition fills the esplanade with quirky, colourful installations that make even a simple stroll feel like a gallery visit. It’s a stretch of shoreline that seems to attract creative souls – the shop fronts along the strip reflect the same spirit.

When it’s time to eat, the Esplanade Hotel delivers a classic beachside pub full of barefoot beachgoers, solid food and impressive ocean views.

Planning a trip to Adelaide? Check out more of our recommendations here:

Best pubs in Adelaide | Best walks in Adelaide| Free things to do in Adelaide | Top annual festivals in Adelaide| Accommodation in Adelaide for every budget | Best Airbnbs in Adelaide

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Tegan Forder

Tegan Forder

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7 pinch-me moments I had at the new Monarto Safari Lodge

    Katie Carlin Katie Carlin
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    Monarto Safari Resort’s new Safari Lodge delivers so much more than a memorable stay; it’s packed full of unforgettable moments.  

    Just a year after the 78-room Monarto Safari Resort opened, the new Safari Lodge brings a more intimate and exclusive overnight African safari experience to Australia just outside of Adelaide. But just how similar is it to an African safari?

    Consider these pinch-me moments I had during my stay and decide for yourself. 

    1. Cheetah sightings at check-in

    monarto safari lodge cheetahs
    Spot cheetahs before you even check in.

    Safari Lodge is set within the Wild Africa precinct of the expansive, open-range Monarto Safari Park. I expected to see animals, but I didn’t expect to see two cheetahs stalking the fenceline just behind my tent at check-in.

    I cross the paddock to get a closer look. Both are now perched like a sphinx on a hill overlooking the 20 premium tents that make up Safari Lodge. I stand here, locked in place, waiting to see if they make a move. After 10 minutes like this, I turn to get settled into the tent but throw a final look in their direction; they’ve slinked back down, now barely visible in the grass. I’m sure I’ll be dreaming about this encounter later tonight. 

    2. Sipping champagne as a giraffe sips from a waterhole

    giraffes at monarto safari lodge
    Enjoy champagne while meeting the locals. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

    The all-inclusive stay includes a 2.5-hour Sunset Safari that takes guests into the Wild Africa precinct onboard a purpose-built Safari Land Cruiser for a chance to see free-roaming herds of African animals up close.

    The safari drive culminates in a champagne and canapé stop in a fenced and sheltered viewing area of the precinct. A chance to watch the sun set as animals gather around one of the many waterholes. And we’re in luck! Two giraffes are stripping leaves from a nearby tree as three white rhinos graze to my right. One giraffe starts galloping, in that funny head-bobbing way giraffes do, to the water’s edge. It splays its legs and bends its long neck down to start slurping up water. I find giraffes endlessly entertaining, and sipping champagne while watching the scene play out is the icing on the cake. 

    3. A rain shower with views of a waterhole where African animals gather

    monarto safari lodge King Safari Tent
    Enjoy views from the King Safari Tent.

    I am staying in tent 17, one of the best positioned tents for animal encounters, due to its proximity to the waterhole. Not only does the spacious 71-square-metre King Safari Tent feature a king bed, lounge area, separate dressing room with kitchenette, coffee machine, kettle and fully stocked mini bar, and ensuite bathroom. But you can even glimpse the waterhole from the rain shower. It’s thoughtful details like this that keep you connected to the safari experience no matter where you are located.  

    4. Feeding lions from within a caged dome

    Lion 360 experience at monarto safari resort
    Step into the Lion 360 experience. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

    Monarto Safari Park isn’t a zoo. Set across 1500 hectares of South Australian bushland, it’s an expansive safari experience. It’s been designed to support complex social groupings, natural behaviours and long-term species management. Entry is included for guests, but I’ve decided to upgrade my experience with tickets to Lion 360. 

    Senior Keeper Rachel Hemming herds 15 of us into a domed cage for the unique lion feeding experience. She leads Monarto’s care and conservation breeding programs for their iconic big cats. “Make sure you don’t get too close to the edge of the cage; the lions like to mark their territory,” she warns. 

    She starts making cat-like calls to Kubwa, Kashka and Kito, the three male lions lazing somewhere out of sight behind the tree line in the distance. The promise of food eventually lures the lions over. I’m in awe of their size as they pace back and forth, pausing to take the meat as it’s fed to them via tongs.

    In her excitement, one lady has inched too close; a lion takes aim and hits his mark before she realises her mistake. I see her leaving the gift shop with a new jacket not long after the tour ends. 

    5. A swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board

    Monarto safari Lodge swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board
    Tuck into a poolside treat. (Credit: Katie Carlin)

    The Safari Lodge reception is also home to a restaurant and bar, heated swimming pool and several private plunge pools available to book. After a morning spent at Monarto Safari Park, a dip in one of the private plunge pools sounds too good to skip.

    I change into my swimmers and make my way to the lodge. A generous charcuterie board arrives shortly after I slip into the pool. I’m told floating trays are already on order, but picking at the selection of cheeses, meats, nuts and fruit while perched on the edge sipping champagne is just as indulgent as it is having it float in the water. I never make it to the gym or pickleball court beside the lodge, but I have no regrets. 

    6. A front-row seat to a male rhino rejected by two females

    male rhino grazing
    Watch a rhino’s unlucky day. (Credit: Lucas Alexander)

    Louis Tonkin, our Wild Africa Tour host, is giddy with excitement when he spots the three white rhinos on our Sunset Safari drive. He has an inkling that we’re about to get a show.

    He pulls to the side and tells us what terrible eyesight white rhinos have, struggling to spot a motionless animal or object even from a short distance. However, they make up for it with acute hearing and an incredible sense of smell. Which explains why the larger male rhino is methodically creeping towards the two disinterested females grazing metres in front of him, then suddenly freezing on the spot. He’s hoping one will be open to mating with him. He takes another wary shuffle forward and suddenly the smaller of the two turns and charges towards him, butting him hard with her head. It’s a firm no. The male, denied, sheepishly backs away. 

    7. Watching a dazzle of zebra from the comfort of a luxury safari tent

    monarto safari resort zebra
    Wildlife encounters abound.

    Rain clouds loom, and the wind is howling, but thankfully it hasn’t deterred the zebras. I’m brewing a cup of Monarto’s Serengé-T – a vanilla rooibos blended with Daintree black tea and butterfly pea flower when I spot them. Six zebras are prancing across the plains for a drink at the waterhole. I watch their antics from the deck of my King Safari Tent, wrapped in a merino blanket made by Australian-owned Grampians Good Co. and marvel at the fact I get a front-row show to these wild animals. 

    After they disappear from view, I sit with the sketch pad and pencils I find in the cupboard and start drawing some of my most memorable animal encounters from the weekend – starting with the two hippos I saw ravenously munching on grass at dusk as we made our way out of the Wild Africa precinct last night. This really is as close to an authentic safari experience as you can get outside of Africa. 

    Start planning a wild stay in the luxurious Safari Lodge at monartosafariresort.com.