6 Beautiful Beaches Around Perth: My Honest Impressions After Visiting Them

Perth has some absolutely beautiful beaches, and I spent a fair bit of time exploring them during my nine months in Australia.

At first glance, you might think they’re all pretty similar. Sand, sea, sunshine. What more could you want?

But after visiting several beaches around Perth, I started noticing the differences. Some were lively, others were quieter, and a few had water so beautiful that I could have stared at it for hours.

Here are six beaches I visited and what I liked about each one. This isn’t a ranking, and I certainly couldn’t choose just one favourite.

1. Cottesloe Beach – A Lively Place to Spend an Afternoon

Cottesloe Beach is one of the best-known beaches around Perth, and it’s easy to see why people enjoy spending time here.

When I visited, I saw plenty of people sunbathing, relaxing on the sand and enjoying the sunshine.

There are also steps where you can sit and take a break while looking out towards the sea.

What I liked about Cottesloe was its lively atmosphere. It felt like somewhere you could easily spend an afternoon without having anything particular planned.

If you enjoy being around other beachgoers rather than looking for somewhere completely quiet, Cottesloe is worth considering.

2. Swanbourne Beach – Beautifully Clear Water and a Special Memory

Swanbourne Beach had some of the clearest water I’d ever seen. It was absolutely beautiful, and I found it much quieter than nearby Cottesloe Beach.

Swanbourne Beach is about a kilometre north of Cottesloe Beach, so the two aren’t particularly far apart.

There’s a stretch of coastline somewhere between the two beaches that I still remember vividly. I’m not entirely sure which beach it officially belonged to, but the water there was unbelievably clear.

It was the last place I went swimming before leaving Australia. While I was swimming, knowing that I’d soon be leaving the country, I remember thinking, “I’ve got to come back here one day.”

And I still mean it.

There’s also a clothing-optional section further north along Swanbourne Beach, so it’s worth being aware of that if you’re exploring the coastline.

3. Scarborough Beach – More Than Just a Beach

Scarborough Beach is a good choice if you want more than just somewhere to swim or sunbathe.

What I particularly liked was the grassy area overlooking the beach. I could sit there and enjoy the view without even stepping onto the sand.

The area around the beachfront also has restaurants, bars and other facilities, so there’s plenty to do nearby.

When I visited, there was a swimming pool and a skate area as well, giving the place a different atmosphere from some of the quieter beaches.

I think Scarborough is a good option if you want to spend a few hours by the coast but don’t necessarily want to spend the whole time in the water.

You could simply turn up, have a wander and see what takes your fancy.

4. City Beach – Watching the Sunset with Some Unusual Company

City Beach is another lovely place to spend time by the sea, especially towards the end of the day.

I remember its wide stretch of white sand and the volleyball courts along the beach.

But one of my favourite memories was watching the sunset there.

In one of my photos, there are some rather unusual human-shaped figures, almost like statues, looking out towards the sea.

I watched the sunset with them keeping me company. They weren’t much for conversation, though.

If you enjoy watching the sun go down over the ocean, City Beach is well worth considering.

5. South Beach – A Relaxed Atmosphere Near Fremantle

South Beach was practically part of my daily routine when I lived in Fremantle.

I lived about a three-minute walk from the beach, so I was down there almost every day. Not a bad place to have on your doorstep!

It’s smaller than some of the other beaches in this article, but I loved its relaxed atmosphere.

I often saw families, locals and people enjoying the beach with their dogs. Watching dogs running around and playing in the water was always entertaining.

The sunsets were beautiful too. I particularly liked seeing the light reflecting off the gentle waves as the colours changed towards the evening.

If you’re visiting Fremantle, I’d definitely recommend making time for South Beach.

It’s also right across from Run Amuk, a hot dog shop where I used to work. A hot dog followed by some time at the beach is a combination I know rather well!

6. Rockingham Beach – Shallow Water and Incredible Shades of Blue

Rockingham Beach is another place I absolutely loved.

One thing that really impressed me was how shallow the water was in parts.

I could roll up my trousers and walk surprisingly far out into the sea without getting properly wet.

What made it even more beautiful was the colour of the water.

The shallower areas sparkled in the sunlight, while the deeper parts were a much darker shade of blue. Seeing those different colours side by side was absolutely stunning.

I remember standing there admiring the view. It was one of those places where I didn’t feel any need to rush off somewhere else.

Rockingham is further from central Perth than the other beaches on this list, so you’ll need to allow more time to get there, particularly if you’re using public transport.

For me, though, the scenery made the journey worthwhile.

Which Beach Should You Visit?

That really depends on what you’re looking for.

If you enjoy a lively atmosphere, Cottesloe or Scarborough might appeal to you.

If you’re hoping for somewhere quieter, Swanbourne could be a good choice.

City Beach is worth considering for the sunset, while South Beach is lovely if you’re spending time around Fremantle.

And if you’re happy to travel a bit further, Rockingham has some wonderfully clear, shallow water and beautiful colours.

These are simply my impressions from visiting each place. The experience can be different depending on the weather, the season and how busy the beach is.