The coastline of Western Australia offers everything from city-close breaks to world-class reef barrels. With surfing in Perth being just the beginning of the adventure, you can find everything from mellow waves for beginners to something more challenging. Take a look at these great surf beaches.

BeachSkill LevelWave TypeLocationBest Surf Time
Scarborough BeachBeginner to AdvancedBeach break with consistent lefts and rights20 mins NW of Perth CBDApril to August
Trigg BeachIntermediate to AdvancedPowerful beach and reef break with fast waves20 mins NW of PerthJune to August
Leighton BeachBeginnerSoft beach break with small waves25 mins SW of Perth, near FremantleDec to March
Cottesloe BeachBeginnerSmall beach and reef break with gentle waves20 mins SW of PerthDec to Feb
City BeachBeginner to IntermediateFast, dumpy beach break15 mins west of PerthApril to August
Rottnest Island – Strickland BayIntermediate to AdvancedExposed reef break with long lefts25 min ferry from PerthMarch to August
South Cottesloe (Dutch Inn)IntermediateReef and beach break with punchy lefts20 mins SW of PerthJune to August
Secret HarbourBeginner to IntermediateMellow beach break with occasional strong peaks50 mins south of PerthMarch to August
Yallingup BeachIntermediate to AdvancedPowerful reef and beach breaks3 hours south of PerthMarch to August
Margaret River – Main BreakAdvancedPowerful reef break with barrels3 hours south of PerthJune to August
Redgate BeachIntermediateExposed beach break with punchy waves3.5 hours south of PerthApril to August
PrevellyIntermediate to AdvancedReef and point break combo3 hours south of PerthJune to August
Injidup BeachIntermediate to AdvancedBeach and reef break with hollow peaks3.5 hours south of PerthMarch to August
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Scarborough Beach

Skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Wave type: Beach break with consistent lefts and rights, often affected by wind
How to get there: About 20 minutes northwest of Perth CBD by car; easily accessible via public transport from the city
Best surf time: Autumn and winter (April to August) with early morning offshore winds and solid southwest swell

One of the best surfing beaches in Perth, Scarborough offers year-round waves and a buzzing surf scene. Like Manly Beach, one of the best surf beaches in NSW, this beach caters to all levels with smaller waves by the shore and powerful sections out the back. Home to many surf schools, it's an ideal place to learn surfing in Perth.

A view over the beach at Scarborough, WA.
With its turquoise seas and salty breeze, Scarborough is popular with more than just surfers. | Photo by Nathan Hurst

Trigg Beach

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Wave type: Powerful beach and reef break with peaky, fast waves and occasional barrels
How to get there: About 20 minutes northwest of Perth CBD, just north of Scarborough via West Coast Highway
Best surf time: Winter (June to August) with strong southwest swells and light offshore winds early in the day

Trigg is one of the most reliable and high-performance surf spots in Perth. This beach is great for intermediate and advanced surfers, offering a bigger swell than nearby beaches. With punchy peaks and the occasional barrel section over reef, you can see why it's more popular.

wb_sunny
Surfing Season in Western Australia

Autumn and winter (March to August) are generally the best times to surf in WA due to strong southwest swells and reliable offshore winds in the mornings.

Leighton Beach

Skill level: Beginner
Wave type: Soft beach break with small, rolling waves. Ideal for longboards and foamies
How to get there: About 25 minutes southwest of Perth CBD near Fremantle; easily accessible by train to North Fremantle Station
Best surf time: Summer and early autumn (December to March) during light sea breezes and small wind swells

This is one of the best surf spots in Perth for beginners. With gentle waves and wide sandy stretches, Leighton Beach offers mellow conditions that are great for surf lessons, families, and anyone getting started with surfing. You won't find it among Australia's best surf beaches, but it's great for practising popping up on small days, and with the nearby cafes and shops in Fremantle, it's a great day out.

directions_car
City to Surf: Perth’s Accessible Breaks

Perth is one of the few Australian capitals with surf beaches just 15–20 minutes from the CBD, including Scarborough, City Beach, and Trigg. These are all accessible via car or public transport.

Cottesloe Beach

Skill level: Beginner
Wave type: Small beach and reef break with gentle, slow waves
How to get there: About 20 minutes southwest of Perth CBD via Stirling Highway; also accessible by train to Cottesloe Station
Best surf time: Summer (December to February) during small wind swell and calm mornings

Cottesloe Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in Perth. While it's probably more famous for its sunsets and swimming than surfing, it can offer fun little waves for beginners and soft-top surfers. If you're looking to surf in Perth for the first time, this provides a relaxed vibe and clear water with plenty of space.

An aerial view of Cottesloe Beach, WA.
Cottesloe Beach is a lovely place to hang out and a great surfing spot for beginners. | Photo by Nathan Hurst

City Beach

Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Wave type: Beach break with fast, dumpy waves and shifting sandbanks
How to get there: Just 15 minutes west of Perth CBD via Oceanic Drive; accessible by car or public transport
Best surf time: Autumn and winter (April to August) with early morning offshore winds and moderate SW swell

City Beach is the most central of the best surfing beaches in Perth. It's not always consistent, but it's been known to produce some surprisingly punchy waves when the swell and the tide align. Generally, more suitable for intermediate surfers; on smaller days, beginners can find more mellow corners closer to shore.

Western Australia is home to over
75

recognised surf spots.

Rottnest Island - Strickland Bay

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Wave type: Exposed reef break with long, peeling lefts and occasional rights
How to get there: Catch a 25-minute ferry from Fremantle or Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty to Rottnest Island, then cycle or shuttle to Strickland Bay on the island’s west coast
Best surf time: Autumn and winter (March to August) when southwest swells wrap around the island and morning offshore breezes prevail

One of WA's hidden gems, Strickland Bay on Rottnest Island delivers consistent, high-quality waves away from the crowds on the mainland. On a good swell, this reef setup can produce long left-handers that peel for dozens of metres. This beach is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. For something similar nearer Melbourne, Bells Beach is one of the best surf beaches in Victoria.

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South Cottesloe (Dutch Inn)

Skill level: Intermediate
Wave type: Reef and beach break with punchy left-handers and occasional rights over limestone platforms
How to get there: About 20 minutes southwest of Perth CBD via Stirling Highway; park at the Dutch Inn car park at Marine Parade
Best surf time: Winter (June to August) with solid SW swells and light morning offshore winds

South Cottlesloe, known locally as the Dutch Inn break, is best at mid to high tide when the swell wraps around the point. Since the reef bottom requires precise positioning, this spot is better for surfers with some experience. Be sure to enjoy the Cottlesloe coastline when you're done.

Secret Harbour

Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Wave type: Beach break with mellow, rolling waves and occasional stronger peaks
How to get there: About 50 minutes south of Perth CBD via the Kwinana Freeway and Mandurah Road; park near Beach Road access
Best surf time: Autumn and winter (March to August) during E/SE swells and calm offshore mornings

Secret Harbour is one of the best surf spots in WA. The soft predictable waves make it great for learners and intermediate riders. The long sandy beach means it's much easier to pick your peak. This spot is also popular with surf schools, and the nearby suburb has cafes and shops worth visiting before you head back to the city.

Secret Harbor in Western Australia.
Surfers aren't the only ones who enjoy Secret Harbor in Western Australia. | Photo by Megan Clark

Yallingup Beach

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Wave type: Powerful reef and beach breaks offering hollow barrels and fast sections
How to get there: About 3 hours south of Perth via the Forrest Highway and Caves Road; park at the Yallingup townsite
Best surf time: Autumn and winter (March to August) with consistent SW swells and early offshore breezes

This is one of the premier surf destinations on the South West WA coast. Yallingup is famous for its consistent swell and variety of breaks. The main beach offers punchy shore breaks and reef sections that intermediate and seasoned surfers can enjoy if they're looking for a challenge. Looking for a similar challenge in Queensland? Burleigh Heads is among the best surf beaches near Brisbane.

Smiths Beach in Yallingup, Western Australia.
Yallingup has a number of nice beaches. This is Smiths Beach. | Photo by Jacques Bopp

Margaret River Main Break

Skill level: Advanced
Wave type: Powerful reef break with heavy barrels, fast walls, and occasional shore break sections
How to get there: About 3 hours south of Perth via the Forrest Highway and Bussell Highway; park at the main car park off Wallcliffe Road
Best surf time: Winter (June to August) with large SW swells and clean offshore winds

Margaret River's Main Break hosts international competitions and attracts elite surfers from around the world. The wave is famous for its heavy, barreling sections. The reefs offshore require strong local knowledge to surf this one. The surrounding area is also great, featuring breweries, wineries, and stunning coastal scenery.

Check it out for yourself.

This is a spot for experienced surfers.

Redgate Beach

Skill level: Intermediate
Wave type: Exposed beach break with wedgy, punchy waves and multiple peaks
How to get there: About 3.5 hours south of Perth via Bussell Highway and Redgate Road; park at the main beach access
Best surf time: Autumn and winter (April to August) during moderate SW swells and light offshore winds

Redgate is one of the Margaret River region's more underrated surf beaches. It offers fun, consistent waves without the crowds of Main Break. This is an excellent option for intermediate surfers. It's also a really scenic spot to paddle out to in WA, with dramatic cliffs and clear blue water. For those who like scenery with their surfing, South Australia's best surf beaches, like Second Valley Beach, are worth the drive from Adelaide when you're in the area.

Prevelly

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Wave type: Reef and point break combo with long, powerful lefts and consistent swell
How to get there: Around 3 hours south of Perth via Bussell Highway; follow Wallcliffe Road toward the Prevelly township
Best surf time: Winter (June to August) during large SW swells and offshore easterly winds

Prevelly is a small coastal town. The waves here require confidence and ocean awareness. On smaller days, there may be opportunities for intermediate surfers, particularly on the inside section. Surfers can explore the Margaret River surf zone with access to both world-class waves and epic coastline.

Injidup Beach

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Wave type: Beach and reef break with powerful, wedgy peaks and occasional barrels
How to get there: About 3.5 hours south of Perth via Caves Road; turn onto Wyadup Road and follow signs to the beach
Best surf time: Autumn and winter (March to August) with strong SW swells and early offshore winds

Injidup Beach is a stretch of coastline known for its hollow beach breaks and clean, thumping peaks. It's popular among bodyboarders and experienced surfers looking for power. When the swell lines up, the southern end can produce heavy barrels. The northern end near the natural spa is calmer.

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Joseph

Joseph is a French and Spanish to English translator, copywriter, and all-round language enthusiast.