Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Margaret River Beaches

Whether you want to swim, surf, or just play in the sand, here’s where to find the best Margaret River beaches.

There’s no denying that Margaret River beaches are some of the most beautiful in all of Australia. They vary from the calm and protected to the wild and wonderful; stretches of coast where you can busy yourself with any beachside activity from fishing and snorkelling to surfing and swimming. To better plan which beaches in Margaret River to visit when you’re in the region, consult our comprehensive guide.

1. Eagle Bay

the white-sand beach at Eagle Bay, Margaret River — Walk barefoot on Eagle Bay’s powdery white sand. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Take the coastal route from Meelup Beach towards Eagle Bay, and you’ll be rewarded with the most idyllic scenery in the South West. It’s white sand bay after white sand bay along here, and there are plenty of opportunities to park up and enjoy them. The water at Eagle Bay is Bombay blue and calm as can be, an incredible contrast to the powdery sand, green bushland, and red rocks that also characterise this part of the coast. If you’re bringing your dog, they’re welcome on the north end of the beach (by the Eagle Bay boat ramp).

Address: Eagle Bay-Meelup Road, Eagle Bay

2. Injidup Beach

the rocky white sand shore of Injidup Beach, Yallingup — Azure waters lap against the rugged coastline. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@from.miles.away and @mattfrommilesaway)

Drive a short distance south of Yallingup, and you’ll arrive at Injidup Beach. It’s a popular Margaret River surf spot with an intermediate to advanced right-handed reef break, at its best in swells of 1.8m to 3m. The reef’s rocky outcrops are also great for snorkelling and diving, with all kinds of sea life calling them home. If you’re handy with a rod, throw a line in off the beach or rocks and see what you can hook for dinner; tailor, skippy, or whiting.

Address: Cape Clairult Road, Yallingup

3. Boranup Beach

rocks dotting the clear blue waters of Boranup Beach — Boranup Beach is renowned for its rugged beauty. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The only way to reach Boranup Beach is on a bumpy and potholed 4WD track. It makes it a bit of a mission to get to, but it’s well worth it for surf lovers. This 8km stretch of sandy beach has a friendly wave onshore, and bigger sets roll throughout the back. To get to the best surf, head north up the beach. If you’re not a surfer, enjoy a long stroll along the shoreline or walk the nearby section of the Cape to Cape track.

Address: Grace Road, Boranup

4. Contos Beach

three people standing atop a hill overlooking Contos Beach, Boranup — Chase postcard-worthy views atop Contos Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Swimming, surfing, and bush walking: you can do it all at Contos Beach, a 25-minute drive from the Margaret River township. Flanked by bush and towering cliffs, Contos is isolated but not at all inaccessible. Though the track that leads off Conto Road and down to the carpark is unsealed, the sand and gravel are compact, so even 2WDs can make it down there. From the carpark, there’s a short walk to the sand. Or, you can head off in the other direction, to a section of the Cape to Cape track, to complete a short, looped bushwalk. On the beach, you can poke around in the rockpools or paddle in the shallows, and novice surfers can give the small point break a crack.

Address: Conto Road, Boranup

5. Gnarabup Beach

Gnarabup Beach is the longest and most popular beach in Prevelly. At one end, you’ll find the White Elephant Beach Cafe, some public changerooms, and a large carpark. At the other is Surfer’s Point. While the swell is often pounding out at Surfer’s Point, Gnarabup Beach is well protected and has smaller waves than elsewhere in the Margaret River Region. Bring the dog and splash around in the shallows, or go for a wander in the dune trails.

Address: Walcliffe Road, Gnarabup

6. Grunters

Head down past Gnarabup Beach, and you’ll find one of the region’s most consistent surf breaks, Grunters. Off the northern reef is a challenging wave with barrels in perfect conditions (a southwest swell and an offshore wind from east-north-east). There are also some smaller reef and beach breaks for less advanced surfers. At the southern end of the beach, there’s a permanent rip at Marmaduke Point, so caution is advised.

Address: Walcliffe Road, Gnarabup

7. Smiths Beach

an aerial view of Smiths Beach, Yallingup — Swirling patterns of sand and sea at Smiths Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Just south of Yallingup is the long, sandy Smiths Beach. Fans of beach walking and combing will appreciate the 1.5km stretch of shoreline, as will families with dogs. Four-legged friends are welcome to join you anywhere on the beach, though time restrictions apply during peak season from December to February. To the south end of the beach, the water is more suited to swimmers and families, while the northern end is surf-central, with a sand break and clear tubes on a good day.

Address: Smiths Beach Road, Yallingup

8. Canal Rocks

Canal Rocks, near Yallingup — Canal Rocks is framed by granite boulders. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Less a beach and more a coastal ‘must-do’, Canal Rocks is one of the most iconic sites in the Margaret River region. Follow the timber bridge over the narrow channel that connects a series of granite boulders and watch as the surging ocean rushes beneath you. At the end of the pathway, plenty of small pools and lagoons exist to explore; just refrain from getting in the water as rips, surges, and king waves can occur. You can go snorkelling and fishing in a protected area near the canal, but it’s important that all signs are read and warnings are heeded.

Address: Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Canal Rocks

9. Cowaramup Bay

Gracetown’s Cowaramup Bay appeals to all kinds of beach-goers. The shallows are perfectly calm and family-friendly, with big waves thundering on the outlying reef breaks. Dogs are welcome to join you on the stretch of beach directly across from the cafe and general store. Perhaps, though, this beach is best known as a surfing hotspot. When the conditions align, and there’s a southwest swell with an easterly wind, the barrelling waves out at North Point are some of the heaviest on the coast. As such, it’s a great spot to park up on the rocks and watch skilled surfers riding the break.

Address: Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown

10. Three Bears

Consistency is key at Three Bears, with the famous surfing spot’s three reef breaks—mumma’s, pappa’s, and baby’s—all pumping when the swell hits 1.5 – 2.5m. Due to their size, intensity, and remoteness, they’re recommended for intermediate to advanced surfers only. You’ll need a 4WD to get down the sandy and rocky track to the carpark, from which you can see all three breaks.

Address: Three Bears 4WD Track (off Sugarloaf Road), Naturaliste

11. Meelup Beach

the view of Meelup Beach from above — Meelup Beach is blessed with a stunning white-sand shore. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

If a ‘beaches of the Margaret River Region’ popularity contest existed, Meelup Beach would be the clear front runner. There’s good reason for its popularity; it’s easily accessible, there are plenty of shady spots to set up, and the water is as clear and blue as a swimming pool, with little to no swell. The carpark fills up quickly in summer, so get in early for the best chance at nabbing one. There are public barbecues under the Peppy trees on the grassed areas for family picnics, but you’ll also find food and coffee vans here in season.

Address: Meelup Beach Road, Dunsborough

12. Dunsborough Foreshore Beach

If you’re staying in the heart of Dunsborough, the beach at the foreshore is just a short walk away. Head down Dunn Bay Road from the Dunsborough Park Shopping Centre, and you’ll be there in no time. The water here is perfect for young families as it’s extremely calm and shallow, protected by a large sandbank some 50m out. At certain times, you can wade all the way out to the exposed sand bank. On a summer evening, bring some sausages down and have a sunset cook-up at the public barbecues in the grassed area. Dogs are welcome in the park and on parts of the beach; just check the signage to know where.

Address: Geographe Bay Road (at the end of Dunn Bay Road), Dunsborough

13. Honeycombs Beach

an aerial view of Honeycombs Beach — Honeycombs Beach is surrounded by picturesque dunes and heathland. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Like so many Margaret River beaches, the ocean at Honeycombs Beach is fringed with white, sugar-fine sand and flanked by dunes and heathland. In the shallows, you can swim and explore the rock pools. A little further out, when there’s a westerly swell and easterly wind, you can ride a neat little left or right-hander wave. It’s a reliable break but not a place for novices. Prefer to stay dry? Walk a section of the Cape to Cape, which extends both north and south of the carpark. Just follow Moses Rock Road and turn left at the signposted unsealed trail to get here.

Address: Moses Rock Road, Wilyabrup

14. South Point + Huzzawuiie

North Point isn’t the only surf break in Cowaramup Bay. Head to the bay’s south end, and you’ll find Huzzawuiie (Huzza’s) and South Point, two of the only breaks in the region surfable in a southwesterly wind. The former is straight down the stairs from the South Point carpark. It’s a long, rolling wave with a left and right wall that’s good for grommets and intermediate surfers. Along a dirt track and further out on the water is South Point, a slow rolling left-hander break.

Address: Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown

15. Yallingup Beach

two people standing atop a rocky promontory overlooking Yallingup Beach — Climb to the top of the promontory for a spectacular view of Yallingup Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@travel.withcharlie)

The drive into Yallingup is as scenic as they come, with sweeping views of the hillside houses and bay as you round the corner on Yallingup Beach Road. It’s a quaint little town, with a row of local cafes and stores abutting the beach carpark. Families flock to Yallingup for its shady park area, playground, barbecues, and calm, shallow reef-protected lagoon. Surfers, on the other hand, come for the heavy reef break out deep.

Address: Yallingup Beach Road, Yallingup

16. Cosy Corner

Sheltered and secluded, this sheltered Margaret River beach certainly lives up to its name. Cosy Corner is at the southern end of the Knobby Head headlands, about 10 minutes south of Hamelin Bay. It’s a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling, diving, and rock or beach fishing. On calm days, swim out to the drop-offs around the limestone islands just offshore to snorkel or dive. But be warned: it can be quite a mission to cart your scuba gear from the car down to the beach. Though fishing is allowed here, spearfishing, netting, or potting is strictly prohibited.

Address: Cosy Corner Road, Hamelin Bay

17. Surfer’s Point

Though it’s technically a Margaret River beach, Surfer’s Point isn’t somewhere you go swimming; the shallow reef runs right up to the shore and is rife with rips and undertows. But if you’re a surfer, Mainbreak, The Bombie, and Southsides are easily the most iconic waves in the region. The annual Margaret River Pro takes place at Surfer’s Point, and some of the world’s biggest names have surfed these waves. That being said, they’re not waves for the faint of heart. Anyone not surfing at an advanced level can watch the pros tackle them from the natural grassed amphitheatre by the carpark. It’s also a great spot to watch the migrating whales (in season) or catch a classic WA sunset.

Address: Surfers Point Rd, Prevelly

18. Hamelin Bay Beach

an aerial view of Hamelin Bay Beach — The sheltered bay is an idyllic spot for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Though the beach at Hamelin Bay is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and fishing, it’s the resident smooth stingrays and eagle rays that it’s most famous for. They cruise through the shallows daily, scouring the sandy bottom for a feed. Being wild creatures, there’s no telling exactly when—or if—they’ll show up, but when they do, it’s important to refrain from feeding them and to give them their distance. At all other times, the bay is all yours to do as you please.

Address: Hamelin Bay Road West, Hamelin Bay

19. Bunker Bay

Bunker Bay is one of the few north-facing beaches in WA, protected by the rocky outcrop at Cape Naturaliste. Though the beach isn’t patrolled, the bright blue water is always calm, so it’s a safe place for kids and those less confident in the water to swim. Outside of Pullman Bunker Bay and Bunkers Beach House cafe, there’s not much else around, so there’s little to interrupt your peaceful day by the water.

Address: Bunker Bay Road, Naturaliste

20. Margaret River Mouth

the Margaret River Mouth with river connecting with the ocean — The calm river waters converge with the waves of the Indian Ocean. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Fresh water or salt water, surfing or kayaking, the Margaret River Mouth is a beach of contrasts. It’s where the Margaret River meets the Indian Ocean, having snaked its way through the bush-covered hills to the beachfront. Very rarely does the river break through the sand bar and connect with the ocean, so young children can stay clear of the heavy beach break and paddle safely on the still water of the river. When the swell is up, novice surfers love testing their skills on the crumbling shore dumpers.

Address: Walcliffe Road, Margaret River

21. Redgate Beach

an aerial view of surfers at Redgate Beach, Margaret River — Surfers seek out the dreamy swells at Redgate Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Sandwiched between rocky outcrops, Redgate Beach is classed as a special-purpose surfing zone. On shore, there’s plenty of soft sand for sandcastle-building and rock pools for kids to explore. In the right conditions, learner surfers can cut their teeth on the beach break. At all other times, the waves are more suited to intermediate to advanced surfers.

Address: Redgate Road, Redgate

Discover the best things to do in Margaret River.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .

Your ultimate guide to the best Margaret River beaches