Which Perth beaches are best for toddlers?

Look for calm, reef-sheltered beaches with shallow water, shade nearby and toilets. Cottesloe, Mullaloo and others on our list may suit, and the listing gives details. Always stay at arm's reach.

Do Perth beaches have lifeguards?

Patrols run at the main beaches in summer, but not at every beach and not all day. A beach with no flags up has no lifeguards, however quiet the water looks. Check the listing before you go.

What is the sea breeze in Perth?

It is an afternoon wind from the ocean that arrives on many summer days, cooling the air and blowing sand. Plan to swim early, and bring a windbreak for the afternoon.

Should we worry about sharks at Perth beaches?

Sharks live in the ocean here, as everywhere. Swim at patrolled beaches between the flags, read local signs and alerts, and avoid swimming at dawn and dusk. Children should swim close to shore with an adult.

Free beaches and rock pools in Perth

Perth has a reputation for beaches, and it is earned. The coast stretches north and south of the city with long, wide stretches of white sand, and many of the best are free to use and easy to reach. Scarborough, Trigg, City Beach, Floreat, Mullaloo, Cottesloe and North Cottesloe are the well known names. Coogee, Port Kennedy, Alkimos and Leighton in North Fremantle give variety, and Sorrento is a favourite further north. The Indian Ocean here is bright and clear, and the swell can be strong. Some beaches are sheltered by reefs and give a calmer swim, while others take full waves, so pay attention to what each listing says. Swim between the red and yellow flags where patrols operate, and no flags means no lifeguards. Patrols usually run in summer at the main beaches, though not everywhere. It is wise to read signs about conditions and any shark alerts before getting in. Summer afternoons have a pattern. The day starts still and hot, then the sea breeze arrives, stirring up sand and cooling everyone down. Plan to swim early and picnic after the breeze, or shelter if the wind blows hard. Sunsets are a bonus, and there is often no better place to watch one with children.

Our picks

Scarborough Beach Scarborough
Scarborough Beach is the City of Stirling's most popular beach, on The Esplanade at the end of Scarborough Beach Road, with white sand, big waves and lifeguards all…

★ 4.7 (1,717)
Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe
Cottesloe Beach, known as "Cott", is the Town of Cottesloe's main beach, with clear water, white sand and shady Norfolk Island pines.

Patrolled October – March · All-abilities access · ★ 4.8 (177)
Hillarys Boat Harbour Hillarys
Hillarys Boat Harbour is a marina in Perth's northern suburbs, managed by the WA Department of Transport, that combines boat facilities with shops, cafes, restaurants…

★ 4.5 (11,938)
City Beach City Beach
City Beach is a Town of Cambridge white sandy beach on Challenger Parade that the Town says is patrolled and lit into the night and early in the morning.

Patrolled From 10 October 2026 · ★ 4.8 (121)
Watermans Bay Watermans Bay
Watermans Bay, on the corner of Beach Road and West Coast Drive, is a small cove with a playground.

Patrolled October – April
Mettams Pool North Beach
Mettams Pool, off West Coast Drive north of Trigg Beach, is a natural rock pool protected by a surrounding reef.

Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April

Before you go

Best for which ages

Calm, reef-sheltered beaches suit toddlers and nervous swimmers. Primary-age children enjoy shallow areas and rock edges, with an adult in the water. Surf beaches suit strong swimmers and teenagers, who still need to stay between the flags and respect the rips.

What to bring

A wide-brimmed hat, rash vests and strong sunscreen, plus plenty of water. Perth sun is fierce, so bring a pop-up shade, and a windbreak for the afternoon sea breeze. A towel, a change of clothes and a bucket for shells round out the bag.

Parking and facilities

Popular beaches fill early on hot weekends, and parking can be limited or time-controlled. Trains and buses help for Cottesloe and Fremantle. Showers, toilets and cafes are common at the big beaches. The listing says what is on site. Weekday visits are far easier, and an early start beats the queue for the car park.

Best time of year

Summer is the swimming season, with patrols at main beaches and warm water, but also the biggest crowds. Late spring and early autumn are quieter. Winter is for walks, kites and shell hunts, since the water is cool and storms can bring rough seas.

Prams and accessibility

Many Perth beaches have paths or promenades near the sand, which suit prams, though soft sand is heavy going. Some have ramps or access mats. Check the listing for details at each beach, and consider a carrier for babies. Cafes and cliff-top paths near some beaches have steps, so ask at the listing before relying on a pram.

Beaches, rock pools and ocean baths

Swim between the red and yellow flags. Patrol seasons and hours on each listing come from the surf club or council page.

Scarborough Beach Scarborough
Scarborough Beach is the City of Stirling's most popular beach, on The Esplanade at the end of Scarborough Beach Road, with white sand, big waves and lifeguards all…

★ 4.7 (1,717)
Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe
Cottesloe Beach, known as "Cott", is the Town of Cottesloe's main beach, with clear water, white sand and shady Norfolk Island pines.

Patrolled October – March · All-abilities access · ★ 4.8 (177)
Hillarys Boat Harbour Hillarys
Hillarys Boat Harbour is a marina in Perth's northern suburbs, managed by the WA Department of Transport, that combines boat facilities with shops, cafes, restaurants…

★ 4.5 (11,938)
City Beach City Beach
City Beach is a Town of Cambridge white sandy beach on Challenger Parade that the Town says is patrolled and lit into the night and early in the morning.

Patrolled From 10 October 2026 · ★ 4.8 (121)
Watermans Bay Watermans Bay
Watermans Bay, on the corner of Beach Road and West Coast Drive, is a small cove with a playground.

Patrolled October – April
Mettams Pool North Beach
Mettams Pool, off West Coast Drive north of Trigg Beach, is a natural rock pool protected by a surrounding reef.

Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April
Ngarkal Beach North Coogee
Ngarkal (Seagull) Beach is an all-ages swimming beach inside the Port Coogee marina waterways.

All-abilities access
Trigg Beach Trigg
Trigg Beach, between Karrinyup Road and South West Coast Highway, is popular with body boarders, kite surfers and surfers, according to the City of Stirling.

Patrolled October to end of March (volunteers)
Rockingham Beach Rockingham
Rockingham Beach faces north and is sheltered from the prevailing coastal winds; the City of Rockingham describes safe, calm, clear water for most of the year, a short…

All-abilities access
Safety Bay / Shoalwater Safety Bay
Safety Bay and Shoalwater are among the beaches the City of Rockingham names when it describes its safe, calm, shallow-water swimming.

All-abilities access
South Beach South Fremantle
South Beach in South Fremantle is described by the City of Fremantle as a family-friendly beach and the perfect place to enjoy a swim, a picnic or a barbecue, with…

All-abilities access
Port Kennedy / Kennedy Bay Port Kennedy
The City of Rockingham describes the newly revitalised Port Kennedy / Kennedy Bay coastal precinct as having landscaped bushland, calm beaches and easy access to…
Bathers Beach swimming enclosure Fremantle
Seasonal City of Fremantle swimming enclosure at Bathers Beach in the centre of Fremantle, giving a protected area to swim in the sea.
Palm Beach Rockingham
Palm Beach, close to Rockingham Beach, is a north-facing beach that the City of Rockingham says has calm waters ideal for paddling, swimming, snorkelling and fishing,…

All-abilities access
Yanchep Lagoon Yanchep
The City of Wanneroo calls Yanchep Lagoon such a popular beach, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Mangles Bay / Point Peron Peron
Point Peron has sheltered limestone cliffs and many rock pools, and the City of Rockingham calls it a favourite with snorkellers looking for colourful fish, seals and…
Floreat Beach City Beach
Floreat Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol the beach on weekends during the October to March patrol season.

Patrolled October to March
Bicton Baths Bicton
Bicton Baths is a river swimming spot on the Swan River, first developed in 1926 by the Melville Amateur Swimming Club using the old quarantine station jetty as a…
Quinns Beach Quinns Rocks
Quinns Beach in Quinns Rocks has an 85 x 300 metre swimming enclosure.

Patrolled October – April · All-abilities access
Port Beach North Fremantle
Port Beach in North Fremantle, near the City's working port, has views out to Rottnest Island and a cafe next to an enclosed playground, according to the City of…

Patrolled 8 November 2026 to 14 March 2027
Matilda Bay Reserve Crawley
Matilda Bay Reserve is a grassy, shady riverside reserve on the Swan River in Crawley with views to the city.
Mullaloo Beach Mullaloo
Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club patrols on weekends and public holidays from 8:15am to 12:30pm in October and November and from 8:15am to 4:30pm between December and 29…

Patrolled October – 29 Mar 2027
Alkimos Beach Alkimos
Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club last published Sunday patrols from 8am to 1pm (plus some public holidays) between late October and late March; 2026-27 times are not yet…

All-abilities access
Coogee Beach Coogee
Coogee Beach Reserve, part of Woodman Point Regional Park, has a swimming enclosure next to Coogee Jetty, about 300 metres long and 75 metres wide, which the City of…

Patrolled 18 October 2026 to 21 March 2027
North Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe
North Cottesloe Beach, north of Cottesloe Beach, is described by the Town of Cottesloe as a more serene and less crowded beach, popular for swimming, sunbathing and…

Patrolled 17 October 2026 to 4 April 2027
San Remo Beach San Remo
San Remo Beach, by Eros Reserve on Orestes Street, has Surf Life Saving beach patrols according to the City of Mandurah's guide, which does not list patrol hours.
Leighton Beach North Fremantle
Leighton Beach, close to Port Beach in North Fremantle, is described by the City of Fremantle as a white sand spot for swimming and watching the sunset.

Patrolled 4 Oct 2026 – 29 Mar 2027 · All-abilities access
Waikiki and Warnbro Beach Waikiki
The City of Rockingham says the secluded, largely untouched sand and wide coastal views make Waikiki and Warnbro beaches popular with families, and lists Warnbro and…
Sorrento Beach Sorrento
Sorrento Beach is one of two City of Joondalup beaches, with Mullaloo, that the council calls local favourites for swimming.

Patrolled October to April
North Beach North Beach
North Beach lies on West Coast Drive between Waterman's Bay and Trigg Beach.

Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April
Secret Harbour Beach Secret Harbour
Volunteers from Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club patrol on weekends and public holidays from 8:30am to 1pm in summer, and lifeguards cover weekdays from 6am to 11am.

Patrolled October – end of March

All beaches and rock pools in Perth, free and paid

Questions parents ask

Which Perth beaches are best for toddlers?: Look for calm, reef-sheltered beaches with shallow water, shade nearby and toilets. Cottesloe, Mullaloo and others on our list may suit, and the listing gives details. Always stay at arm's reach.
Do Perth beaches have lifeguards?: Patrols run at the main beaches in summer, but not at every beach and not all day. A beach with no flags up has no lifeguards, however quiet the water looks. Check the listing before you go.
What is the sea breeze in Perth?: It is an afternoon wind from the ocean that arrives on many summer days, cooling the air and blowing sand. Plan to swim early, and bring a windbreak for the afternoon.
Should we worry about sharks at Perth beaches?: Sharks live in the ocean here, as everywhere. Swim at patrolled beaches between the flags, read local signs and alerts, and avoid swimming at dawn and dusk. Children should swim close to shore with an adult.