Grab your favourite beach towel, bag a spot on the beach, and breathe in the scent of sunscreen and salt from the crashing waves. Setting up on one of Perth’s finest beaches is the perfect way to spend a hot summer’s day. 

We’ve compiled a list of Perth’s best family-friendly beaches so your little ones can build sand castles and splash on the shoreline while the rest of the family enjoys beach cricket, swimming, or simply some chilled-out beach time. 

Hillarys Boat Harbour 

Families in Perth have been spending their days at Hillarys Boat Harbour for decades. Seaside attractions, shops, parklands, and a safe swimming beach make this beachfront spot a fun place for families to visit. You can spend all day there with plenty to do and more than enough free parking. 

Little ones will enjoy paddling in the shallow, sheltered harbour beach, where big shade sails provide lots of sun coverage. There’s a shaded playground on the sand for little ones too, as well as pontoons with slides for more confident swimmers. The attractions are easy to get to, with a hard surface path through the sand to facilitate access for beach wheelchairs and strollers. 

Cottesloe

The Norfolk pines surrounding the iconic Indiana Teahouse create an unforgettable scene. Being such an icon, it makes the perfect excuse to grab a picture with the family and add it to the annual postcard mail out. 

As the waves crash over one of the most popular beaches in Perth, soak in the sun on the lawns or find a tree for shade and a relaxing picnic. The playground to the north of the beach will keep the kids busy for hours, so you can sit back and have a breather.

If you’re just visiting Perth and don’t have a car, don’t worry, as there’s easy public transport access to the beach. 

Port Coogee Marina 

The Port Coogee Marina (Ngarkal Beach) is one of the best family-friendly beaches inn Perth. Shallow and calm water make this an inviting beach for little ones to splish and splash in the summer sun. With ramp access, this beach becomes open to all. 

Another addition to this perfect beach is the long pontoon allowing the older swimmer to head on out and show their best jumps and biggest bombie. 

While the kids are playing on the water playground, parents have time to cook up the perfect summer barbecue. You can then enjoy under the sheltered tables dotted throughout the grassy foreshore. 

Scarborough Beach 

After its latest redevelopment, there is no way you can overlook Scarborough Beach if you have a family. While the pristine beach that spans kilometres is the main attraction, plenty of other activities on and around the coast keep all ages entertained. 

Little ones can run amok on the playground — made to look like the skeleton of a whale — that looks over Scarborough beach. Climb the nets of the whale’s body, or give the log swing a go as you oscillate inside the whale’s belly.

Older kids can bring their bikes and skateboards down to the snake pit and dive into the diverse skatepark. With a competition-grade skate bowl, rails, ramps, and jump, there’s no way you won’t find something for all levels of skaters.

For a challenge, try out the climbing wall or even have a go at shooting hoops on the half-court. 

Mettams Pool 

For a beach that is as close to a millpond as it gets, head to Mettams pool. 

With a picturesque and protected reef, Mettams is one of the most popular snorkelling spots in all of Perth. Even young swimmers can safely have their first attempt at snorkelling in the calm waters, watching red-lip morwong, schools of buffalo bream, and even banded sweep swim by. Head out nice and early in the morning to avoid the crowds and have the beach practically to yourself. 

Post snorkel, refuel at any of the great coffee and lunch spots on West Coast Drive. Try Little Bay’s crayfish risotto or opt for something a little quicker like Island Markets filled pitas. 

City Beach 

City Beach is a firm family favourite with multiple playgrounds, plenty of lawns for little ones to run around on, delicious food venues, and crystal-clear ocean waters. Barbecue and picnic options are available along the foreshore, and plenty of shelters so you can enjoy your summer day sans sunburn. 

If cooking doesn’t sound like what you want to do on a family day, take the kids out for a feed at Clancy’s Fish Pub or The Hamptons.

Your summer is sorted with So Perth.

Lead image: World Wide Beach Guide