Perth has an abundance of amazing beaches – some of the best in the world! From beautiful coves to epic expanses of white sands and crystal clear waters, there’s a beach for every family.
From kids’ playgrounds and free BBQs to idyllic snorkelling hotspots, Perth has it all. Here are our top 10 family-friendly beaches in Perth…
Easy Go-To Guide for the Top Family-Friendly Beaches in Perth, WA
Yanchep Lagoon
Yanchep – 50 minutes north of Perth
Yanchep Lagoon is a popular spot for families with both younger and older kids alike. With a fine white sandy beach and sparkling clear blue water, it’s a great place to swim, fish and snorkel. Great for spotting some fish near the reef or just enjoying some time in nature.
The lagoon itself is protected by a reef so there tends to be calmer waters than most places around Perth.
There are lifeguards on duty in summer, as well as toilets, showers and free BBQs available nearby.
The local cafe is just a stone’s throw away from Yanchep Lagoon beach itself so you can easily grab something delicious on your way home.
If you want to explore further then Yanchep National Park is right next door, with great walks and beautiful camping sites available. The Henry White Oval campsite is a firm favourite!
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe – 25 minutes west of Perth
Cottesloe Beach is one of Perth’s most famous beaches, and it’s easy to see why. It has been voted one of Australia’s top ten beaches by TripAdvisor users, with families from all over the world visiting here every year.
Enjoy extra peace of mind in the water in the summer months due to Cottesloe’s shark barrier net. The swimming area is huge and protected on one side by a rock wall which goes some way to calming the waters for the little ones.
The beach is lively and popular with people who love being active on the water or just relaxing in the sun.
Swimming, surfing, body boarding and snorkelling are all popular activities here at Cottesloe Beach – you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby if you need something to eat after your fun!
Facilities include changing rooms (although these are pretty dated), accessible toilets and drinking fountains.
Getting to Cottesloe Beach isn’t difficult either – it’s located near Fremantle and accessible by car or public transport.
Hillarys Boat Harbour Beach – South Beach
Hillarys – 25 minutes north of Perth
Hillarys Boat Harbour Beach is a great place for families. It’s got lots of space for kids to run around and play, as well as an excellent playground right on the beach.
The calm waters are shallow and clean so you can enjoy swimming with the little ones while being sheltered from the wind and waves.
Cool off in style with an awesome pontoon with water slides just a short swim from the beach! There’s also paddle board hire from Ultimate Watersports if you’re feeling a little more adventurous.
The facilities include showers, toilets and changing rooms with lockers. Easy, ample parking, picnic areas, nearby BBQs, cafes, restaurants and shops, making Hillarys Boat Harbour Beach one of Perth’s best family-friendly beaches!
You can take your kids on an underwater adventure at the nearby aquarium (AQWA) while they’re here as well, or hop on the ferry to Rottnest
Mettams Pool
North Beach – 20 minutes north of Perth
Mettams Pool is a great beach for families to visit, as it offers water activities such as swimming and snorkelling on the reef so expect to see plenty of wildlife. The sea here is shallow enough for children to enjoy themselves but deep enough for adults too.
The reef surrounding Mettams Pool is also home to many species of fish, including blowfish and wrasse. Don’t forget your reef shoes though as the rocks can be sharp in places!
There are toilets, showers and changing facilities available on site but no lifeguards patrol this area.
Many previous visitors advise getting to Mettams Pool early on to avoid parking issues, and the afternoon Perth winds which can make the swimming conditions more hazardous, and snorkelling much less fun.
Kwillena Gabi Pool
Mandurah – 1 hour 10 minutes south of Perth
Kwillena Gabi (meaning dolphin waters) Pool is a great place for kids. Built late in 2021 and designed with families in mind, the pool is open all year round and offers sloped beach entry, ladders and a man-made access ramp.
The pool itself is built into the estuary so it gives a contained/outdoor swim experience. There is no net around the pool so expect to see some local wildlife enjoying the pool with you!
The beach directly next to Kwillena Gabi Pool also has lifeguard-patrolled waters so you can feel safe swimming there too.
There is also a chance of seeing dolphins here as they have been known to frequent the pool – an experience the kids will never forget!
The whole site is under renovation so expect new facilities to pop up soon and check the website above for the latest updates. There’s plenty to do in Mandurah for a great day out so even though it’s about an hour’s drive south from the CBD, it’s worth the trip.
Coogee Beach
Coogee – 40 minutes south from Perth
Coogee Beach is one of the most popular family-friendly beaches in Perth, and it’s easy to see why. It’s got everything you need as a family: toilets, showers and picnic areas.
There are plenty of things to do and see; amenities include nearby playgrounds, walking, tennis courts and cycling trails at the recreational reserve right behind the beach.
There is also a selection of cafes nearby for when you need to recharge. With lifeguards on duty – this beach has it all… except for parking… it’s there but it’s limited so get there early to nab a spot.
Coogee Beach offers events throughout the year including fireworks displays during summer months as well as free community events and festivals.
If you’re feeling adventurous check out the Coogee Beach Maritime Trail – a snorkelling trail boasting a shipwreck, artificial reef and underwater sculptures!
Rottnest Island (The Basin)
Rottnest Island – ferry: 25 minutes from Fremantle. 45 minutes from Hillarys Boat Harbour. Then a 15-minute walk from the dock to The Basin.
The Basin at Rottnest Island is a great choice for families who want the ‘island’ experience without having to go far from the city.
The island sits off Perth’s coast and can be reached by ferry from Fremantle and Hillarys. Once there, The Basin is around a 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal with shops and facilities en route.
The Basin itself is a mostly sheltered lagoon with great snorkelling on the reef and protection for little swimmers.
The walk along paths around the island is easy enough for little legs to manage, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for quokkas – they’re super cute, furry and friendly and don’t mind a selfie or two.
There are toilets available at The Basin, as well as BBQ areas with shaded picnic tables where you can eat your lunch while watching the world go by. Lifeguards patrol the area in the summer months.
Rotto is incredibly popular in the summer so expect it to be busy. However, it is worth the trip.
When you get there you’ll see exactly why this is one of the top family-friendly beaches in Perth!
Bathers Beach
Fremantle – 40 minutes south of Perth
Bathers Beach is a small sheltered beach in Fremantle. It is located between the port of Fremantle and the city centre. A small but sheltered beach great for taking a dip,
Bathers has 300m of white sand and is popular with families who are looking for calmer, protected waters.
Cafes, restaurants and fast food takeaways nearby make this an ideal spot to relax and spend the day.
If you’re looking to make a day of it in Fremantle then check out our full, essential guide!
Bathers Beach has public toilets but no showers or lifeguard patrols, so although it is short on facilities it is hard to beat for location, with the Shipwreck Museum, Maritime Museum and Fremantle city centre being just a short walk away.
Penguin Island Beaches
Penguin Island – 1 hour south of Perth. 5-minute ferry ride.
Penguin Island is a nature reserve and home to the endangered Little Penguin. Penguins are active during the day, so it is a great place to watch them.
The island offers many activities for you and your family including swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding and fishing; take your gear on the ferry.
There are many beaches on Penguin Island: calm, clear water can be found on the front side of this small island which makes it perfect for small children who want to get their feet wet!
Penguin Island Conservation Park has toilets and a gift shop as well as a cafe so you won’t go hungry. The ferry itself is pram and wheelchair friendly, making this a great family-friendly day trip.
Scarborough Beach
Scarborough – 20 minutes north of Perth
Scarborough Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in Perth. There are toilets, changing rooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables and BBQs available.
There are cafes, fast food outlets and restaurants nearby plus loads of other amenities including the famous $1.4 million Whale Playground for kids to play on during your day out at the beach.
It can get very windy in the afternoon so sea conditions can become rough but year-round lifeguard patrols ensure that everyone is staying safe.
The skate park will keep kids entertained all day long while the low-level bouldering wall provides plenty of challenge for adults too.
If the sea gets too rough you can visit the reasonably priced Scarborough Beach Pool right on the beach with an outdoor kids pool area, sun loungers and cafe on site.
If you fancy trying your hand at surfing you’re spoiled for choice with two highly rated surf schools right next to the beach. Visit Scarborough Beach Surf School at the northern end of the car park, or head to Go Surf Perth nearer the Southern end of the beach.
Notes on Lifeguards
Some lifeguard locations are seasonal or only run on certain days of the week.
To check the lifeguard schedule for the beach you’re visiting check the Surf Life Saving website.
Family Friendly Beaches in Perth WA: OUR TOP PICK!
With all it has to offer, the top spot on the list goes to Hillarys Boat Harbour.
There are loads to do for both younger and older kids, some of the calmest waters in Perth, easy amenities super close to the beach and other activities nearby to top it off.
Hillarys is perfect for an easy, full day out with the whole family!
