Wondering where the best beaches in Margaret River are? We’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best beaches in the Margaret River Region. (Spoiler: There’s a lot!)
Margaret River is absolutely blessed with the things that make a brilliant getaway; picturesque vistas of natural beauty, oodles of breakfast and coffee shops, Margaret River winery and brewery options, lots of things for the family to do and possibly above all... amazing beaches.
All within only a 3-hour drive from Perth, or even less if you fly into Busselton/Margaret River airport.
The Margaret River region spans the area from Busselton down to Albany, taking in the great and geographically interesting Capes Leeuwin and Naturaliste. With myriad bays, coves, reefs, and white sandy beaches in between, there’s an almost overwhelming number of excellent beaches in the region known as Margaret River.
With so many to choose from, it seems like everybody has their own favourite beach in Margaret River.
We have put together the ultimate Margaret River guide to the best of them, to help you know where to go, what to expect, how to find your new favourite beach and to help you have the perfect visit to the amazing Margaret River region.
The beaches around Geographe Bay and the Busselton area (40mins from Margaret River), west and up toward Cape Naturaliste tend to be calmer with warmer waters and provide many family-friendly beach options, with developed parklands, handy amenities and easy accessibility.
Great beaches along Geographe Bay:
Towards the northern tip, just east of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, are some premiere Margaret River surf spots, which take advantage of the swell wrapping around from the west and southwest;
Location: Foreshore Parade, Busselton WA
Distance from Margaret River: 43 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 23 min
A popular family swimming destination, known for its calm water and the wonderful developed Busselton foreshore with its cycling and walking trails, skate park, playgrounds and picnic facilities. And of course the famous 1.84km Busselton Jetty - the longest timber piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. Busselton Foreshore is an excellent family beach day out.
There’s plenty of fishing to be had off Busselton foreshore beach too, also a great area to moor, and the jetty being a bit of a legendary fishing spot in itself. Expect a wide variety of species, herring, skippy, samson, mulloway, tuna and even some squid.
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Location: Castle Rock Road, Dunsborough WA
Distance from Margaret River: 51 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 46 min
Idyllic standup paddle-boarding at Castle Rock Bay, Western Australia. Image credit: Tourism Western Australia.
On the Meelup side of Dunsborough is this little gem of a beach. Castle Rock Beach is small but is as beautiful as the more famous Meelup, at times it doesn’t get so buried with the same crowds. It’s very popular with photographers thanks to the striking formations of Sail Rock to the west and Castle Rock to the east, and there’s also a whale-watching spot!
Just a 0.5 km stroll from Meelup, along the way you can explore and take a dip in the string of little beaches hiding between the granite rocks. It’s even walkable from Dunsborough at only about 50 mins.
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Location: Eagle Bay-Meelup Road, Dunsborough WA
Distance from Margaret River: 46 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 47 min
Meelup is one of the most picturesque and popular beaches in the Margaret River region and is one of the best swimming beaches thanks to its protected aspect and gentle waves. It’s facilities, like picnic tables and BBQs, also make it a brilliant spot for a family picnic day out, any time of year.
The postcard-perfect roughly 400m long white sandy beach is at the mouth of a green valley, the gum trees come down right to the sand’s edge, and is a beautiful sight to behold. Also, a super spot for water-activities and to moor for the day to soak up the Australian summer atmosphere.
Meelup is also one of the area’s great beach fishing spots.
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Location: Eagle Bay-Meelup Road, Dunsborough WA
Distance from Margaret River: 47 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 48 min
A magical little spot which only appears in summer when the tides change. Situated between crowd favourites Eagle Bay Beach and Meelup Beach, the deep red rocks and rustic green vegetation on the shore look spectacular against the sunlit ocean waters, this is a bit of a secret spot that you might get all to yourself once in a while.
The kids will love exploring the rockpools and there’s sometimes a little surfable break off the point. Swimming is doable with a little bit of a clamber, and it’s more than sufficient as a peaceful spot to cast a line from the beach or the rocks, and you’ll see a boat moored just off the point most of the time. June to November Point Piquet is a whale-watching spot too.
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Location: Eagle Bay-Meelup Road, Eagle Bay WA
Distance from Margaret River: 45 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 48 min
A household name in WA, Eagle Bay Beach is up there in popularity, but that’s because it’s amazing. So we’ll give it that.
You’ll fall in love with it’s shallow and calm waters, contrasting red rocks with the vegetation of the Meelup Regional Park and the clean white sand. Nearby Wise Winery and Eagle Bay Brewing are great options for a post-swim lunch too.
World-class diving is on hand thanks to the HMAS Swan dive wreck and artificial reef.
Nearby there’s a network of excellent walking trails, and you can jump on the 125km Cape To Cape walk. If you have it in you, you can even tackle the steep trail up to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and take in 360-degree views, you might even spot a whale or two on their migration.
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Location: Bunker Bay Road, Dunsborough WA
Distance from Margaret River: 50 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hrs 53 min
Bunker Bay Beach towards Shelley Cove. Lighthouse in the distance. Image credit: Tourism Western Australia
A peaceful and serene bay known for its remote vibe, offering everything from quiet swimming to decent surfing to great beach fishing at both ends. There’s also a bushwalking trail connecting scenic lookouts at each end of the roughly 2km white sandy beach.
Well known surf spot Quarries is nearby at the tip of the Cape, a sheltered and rocky reef break with consistent surf. You might spot a pro out there or put your own skills to the test.
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Location: Bunker Bay Road, Dunsborough WA
Distance from Margaret River: 51 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 55 min
Frequently touted as a beach you cannot miss in the Margaret River area, and we agree. Close to the lighthouse, in fact, the limestone to build it was taken from its cliffs.
With its rocky outcrops and roughly 70m strip of perfect sand and gentle lapping waves, it might not be the expansive white stretch of sand of some of the more house-hold names in the area, but Shelley Cove’s spectacular terrain lends itself to some amazing photography opportunities.
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Margaret River’s rugged coastal beaches offer up big swell, big scenery and are just bigger, with the iconic 135km Cape to Cape track meandering down the coastline through the beautiful natural bush, alongside granite cliffs and long curving beaches.
The beaches down the Cape, and further south, are subject to more swells and winds, and everything which that entails. You can still get those glassy mornings when the wind is offshore, and you’ll find plenty of great secluded spots for long beach walks. Either way, check the weather before you head out and you’ll find yourself a beach that suits your plans.
Amazing Margaret River beaches:
Location: Yallingup Beach Road, Yallingup WA
Distance from Margaret River: 35 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 55 min
Paddling Yallingup lagoon, Yallingup. Image credit: https://www.margaretriver.com/members/yallingup-beach/
Surrounded by national park, Yallingup beach is a must-visit on any Margaret River holiday. Known as a surf destination and for Yallingup lagoon, a protected reef which offers a wonderful family swimming area and beginner surf spot.
The main surf break is an international household name and attracts the pros, so it will be busy when it’s good, which will usually be early mornings with a light offshore breeze and decent swell at least 4-6ft. Best suited for intermediate and experienced surfers when this is happening. There are a couple of other breaks along the beach.
It sure is fun watching the pros doing what they do on a pumping day, however!
Yallingup is one of those picture-perfect surf towns, crawling up the hill, and in summer it’s just fun soaking up the ‘down south’ vibe. There is a dog-friendly area between the Dawson Street steps and the Rabbits car park (look for the signposts), at the bottom there’s a great playground. As always, be aware of the rip and heed advice from the Surf Lifesavers and locals.
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Location: Smiths Beach Road, Yallingup, WA
Distance from Margaret River: 35 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 51 min
Smiths Beach is known for having a little more sense of isolation than some of it’s more crowded neighbours, and is popular with pro surfers, and those who want to be. Besides the heavy left and right-handers, there are Supertubes about 50m offshore, which is an international standard break and it’s just fun to watch from the shoreline. You’ll know it’s going off because you won’t be able to get a car park for miles.
The long white beach is a beautiful walk and an official section of the Cape to Cape trail. Hop on at the carpark, stop along the way for a coffee at Lamonts, and if you want to you can walk up the beach, then through the bush all the way to Yallingup and beyond.
The best swimming spot is south of the creek, but be careful as there can be big waves and a rip. The swimming spot has Surf Lifesavers in summer, so remember to swim between the flags.
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Location: Cape Clairault Road, Yallingup WA
Distance from Margaret River: 35 min
Distance from Perth: 2 hr 57 min
Enjoying the natural spa all to themselves. Injidup Beach, Western Australia. Image credit: Tourism Western Australia
A particularly beautiful, rugged beach, with a very Instagram worthy natural spa which is delightful for paddling and posing. Injidup has a secluded vibe, although can get busy on nice days, and is great for a family day out at the beach. The rocky outcrops create some great diving and snorkelling areas, not to mention fishing off the rocks in the mornings and evenings.
Dunes at the southern end are great fun for sandboarding and rolling down. BYO Eski lid.
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Location: Gnarabup Road, Gnarabup, WA
Distance from Margaret River: 10 min
Distance from Perth: 3 hr
Nice and close to Margaret River, Gnarabup Beach at Prevelly is just south of the famous Surfers Point, where the Margaret River Pro is held each year. The beach is sheltered by the limestone reef and the headland to the south. This place can look ridiculously perfect on a still sunny summer day, and in turn, can be busy.
The Rifelbutts Reserve at the top end of the beach offers great vistas of the breaking waves and has a kids play area, grassy areas and tables for picnics.
There’s the Gnarabup Beach Boat ramp at the southern end and a cafe for recharging after a great beach walk. Further around the point is the Gnarabup lookout which is a nice way to extend your walk and take in the vista back over the boat ramps and picturesque bay.
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Location: Off Redgate Road, Redgate Beach, WA
Distance from Margaret River: 12 min
Distance from Perth: 3 hr 9 min
Surfing at Boodjidup Beach, Margaret River. Image credit: Tourism Western Australia.
Another off the beaten path gem - literally. Head down Redgate Road, but before you get to Redgate Beach and the Margaret River Surf School, take the right down the dirt track.
The beach runs 1.9km up to Marmaduke Point.
A lovely sandy beach which won’t be overrun, even in summer. The best surfing is at the northern end of the beach, be aware of the sandbar and rip system.
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Location: Grace Road, Boranup WA
Distance from Margaret River: 35 min
Distance from Perth: 3 hr 25 min
4-wheel driving on Boranup Beach, Margaret River. Image credit: Tourism Western Australia
A bit of a secret out of the way spot, and accessible by 4-wheel drive only, where you’ll be greeted with an astonishing beach and uninterrupted views of the dunes and horizon, Boranup Beach is also one of the longest on the Cape at 7.8km.
Get to the beach from the south end, from Hamelin Bay, this end is the best end for swimming too. You can also take the 4-wheel drive up the beach north to the breakers, the surf increases the further up you go. Remember to lower your tyre pressure (18-20psi) before you drive on the beach. Beware, the beach can be very soft in winter.
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Location: Hamelin Bay Road W, Boranup WA
Distance from Margaret River: 27 min
Distance from Perth: 3 hr 18 min
Friendly Sting Rays at Hamelin Bay Beach, Western Australia. Image credit: Tourism Western Australia
People love this beach for the string rays that swim up along the edge. But don’t worry, they’re friendly! There’s also a little island just north of Cape Hamelin, you can still see the former lighthouse base before it was moved up the hill in the 1960s.
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Location: Cosy Corner Road, WA
Distance from Margaret River: 31 min
Distance from Perth: 3 hr 22 min
Cosy Corner Beach, Western Australia. Image credit: https://www.margaretriver.com/members/cosy-corner/
About 10mins south of Hamelin Bay, Cosy Corner is a great option if the wind direction isn’t working out for you at Hamelin Bay Beach. It’s more protected and can offer a wonderful family swimming spot, with more chance of having it all to yourself.
Just offshore from Cosy Corner Beach is the Ngari Capes Marine Park and some dotted islands, which are surrounded by reefs and drop-offs and are amazing for diving, snorkelling and offshore fishing. Expect to see lots of colourful marine life, including the giant blue groper.
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Margaret River is a must-visit destination for beach lovers, fishing enthusiasts, divers, surfers and anyone wanting to experience all that this astoundingly beautiful region has to offer.
Easily accessible from Perth, and with flights into Busselton airport, treat yourself to a Western Australian beach holiday and book yourself some accommodation for a memorable family-friendly beach getaway in Margaret River.
Check out Margaret River Tourist Park and Riverview Tourist Park for some of the most relaxing accommodation in town.
How many beaches are in Margaret River?
There are 2 main beaches in Margaret River: Gnarabup beach and Boodjidup beach. These two beaches are the closest to Margaret River. However, if you are willing to travel a little further, there are many more beaches to discover in nearby towns such as Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup and Augusta.
How far is Margaret River from the beach?
From the town of Margaret River, you can reach the coastline in just 10 minutes.
What is the best time to visit Margaret River?
If you like calm waters, light winds and fine days which is perfect for going to the beach, Margaret River is best in Autumn which is March-May.
