Geographe Bay is an expansive stretch of coastline featuring turquoise waters and soft white sand. It spans from roughly Busselton to the tip of the continent at Cape Naturaliste, and more often than not, the bay serves up calm, glassy conditions.
You might’ve heard about some of the area’s infamous swimming spots at Busselton Jetty and Meelup Beach, but it’s well worth exploring some of these lesser-known swimming beaches.
Head further south along the beach from Busselton Jetty and you’ll reach the outer areas of Busselton. The beaches along the suburbs of Broadwater and Abbey are usually a little quieter and are perfect spots for floating on your back and tuning out the world. Heaven.
This calm, turquoise bay is protected from the westerly winds and ocean swell. Castle Rock Bay is perfect for swimming, paddle boarding and relaxing, and a picturesque spot for a picnic with gas BBQs, picnic tables and toilets on offer.
Park at Point Piquet and head slightly back to the right and you’ll find a small path taking you down to this glorious little stretch of heaven. Its striking, crystal-clear hues of blue wash\ up against white sand and red ochre rocks, and the little point to the left usually offers a small swell for surfing. During spring, this is arguably the spot for whale watching from the beach too, with thousands of migrating whales cruising so close you can hear them.
Eagle Bay Beach sits at the tip of Cape Naturaliste and is home to the HMAS Swan dive wreck. This is a lovely spot to explore abundant marine life, relax on the shore, or swim in tranquil calm, clear waters. The very left end of the beach is dog-friendly too (off Eagle Bay Boat Ramp, Fern Rd) – just be sure to adhere to signage and rules.
Uncomplicated coastal landscapes like Bunker Bay have unique appeal. There is recognisable beauty in the long, long stretch of calm ocean kissing white sand. There’s a car park complete with showers and toilets, and a sensitively designed café that offers rescue from sand-filled sandwiches when long beach days collide with hunger. The northern part of Bunker Bay Beach is dog-friendly too.
To the left of the main beach staircase is the Yallingup Lagoon, a tranquil embrace of blue, surrounded by shallow reef. It’s free of the wild wash of ocean, and a slice of kid-friendly, summer-swimming bliss. A little to the right is a crash of beach break for strong swimmers. You’ll also find a playground, facilities, and ample parking.
The drive down the hill to Smiths Beach is almost as breathtaking as when you’re settled on its soft, white sand. Smiths is a long and wide beach, so there’s plenty of space to pitch an umbrella in relative seclusion before heading for a refreshing dip. It’s both a patrolled and dog-friendly beach during certain times over summer, and when the swell hits, it’s a popular surfing hub among the locals.
Gracetown offers a section of coast exposed and shaped by the push of weather that funnels between North Point and South Point – two landmark surf breaks between the quieter Cowaramup Bay. Gracetown Beach is a small curve of sand crossed longitudinally by the Cape to Cape Track, and latitudinally by Cowaramup Brook, and is a beautiful spot for a swim and a surf. Part of the beach is dog-friendly, and you’ll find a bakery a short walk up the road for a snack and a good coffee.
The inlet cradled between Marmaduke Point and the jetty is an ocean lover’s nursery. This is the site of children’s summer ocean swim classes, after-school jetty jumps, and mid-morning coffees with vivid ocean views. Gnarabup Beach is protected by an outer reef that breaks the force of the swell, so it’s more often than not a perfect set up for calm swims and SUPing.
Nestled between rocky outcrops, Redgate Beach is renowned for its sandy beach and surf break of the same name. Redgate is in a special-purpose surfing zone, and is popular with locals and visitors alike. On a calm day, it’s a lovely spot for a swim too but note that an unpatrolled beach and rips occur, so please adhere to signage, weather and ocean conditions.
The sense of remote magic is on offer at Boranup Beach with an uninterrupted view of endless coastline and powdery white sand. If you’ve got a suitable car (read: we wouldn’t take a rental car here), there’s two-wheel drive access down a rough track off Boranup Drive leading to a small car park. Even though the beach is huge, the car park is relatively small, so we’d recommend having a backup beach in mind when adventuring here.
A visit to stunning Hamelin Bay is a must-do on any holiday schedule in the region. A vast expanse of bright white sand, turquoise waters filled with marine life, and spectacular coastal cliff walks. The sheltered bay is great for swimming, snorkelling and fishing, and divers can explore the nearby shipwreck.
The beach at Cosy Corner is generally sheltered and is popular for swimming, snorkelling and diving. The limestone platform on the beach to the south of the car park contains blowholes that can spurt water up to 6m high on rough days.
At Granny’s Pool, an ocean outcrop of rock rings around the pool breaks the southerly swells and creates a swathe of calm blue. Stillness in the midst of stunning coastal ferocity. Family-friendly is a theme along this coastline, and the landscape surrounding Granny’s Pool is no exception. Granny’s Pool is safe harbour for the intrepid, and a wonderful launch pad of adventure for kids.
The tranquil lagoon of Flinders Bay is crystal clear and has a small jetty with stairs that take you directly into shallow water. It’s not only a fantastic place for kids to go swimming, but you’ll often see people swimming laps and stand-up paddle boarding here too. It’s dog-friendly, and there’s a playground, toilet block, barbeques and a grassy foreshore.
