Perth has one of the most extraordinary coastlines of any major city in the world — 19 kilometres of patrolled beaches in the metro area alone, with crystal-clear Indian Ocean water, white sand, and a climate that makes beach days possible for most of the year. For families, the challenge isn't finding a beach — it's knowing which beach is right for your group.
Not all Perth beaches are equal for families. Some have strong surf and rips. Others have shark nets. Some have excellent facilities; others are remote and wild. This guide covers the best family beaches from Rockingham in the south to Yanchep in the north.
Best Calm-Water Beaches for Young Kids
If you have toddlers or young children, calm water is the priority. These beaches have natural protection from ocean swell.
🏖️ Rockingham Beach
One of Perth's most family-friendly beaches, Rockingham has exceptionally calm water thanks to the natural protection of Garden Island. The water is shallow for a long way out, perfect for very young children. Great facilities including playgrounds, BBQs, and a beachfront café strip. About 45 minutes south of Perth.
🏖️ Safety Bay
Just south of Rockingham, Safety Bay lives up to its name. Exceptionally calm, crystal-clear water with a sandy bottom. Excellent for snorkelling — bring a mask and fins for the kids. Popular with families from the Rockingham area, but rarely feels overcrowded.
🏖️ Mandurah Estuary Beaches
Mandurah's estuary beaches along the Mandjar Bay are completely still — no waves at all. Perfect for toddlers and non-swimmers. The town centre is right there for lunch and ice cream. About 70 minutes from Perth but worth the drive for a combined beach and café day.
Best Patrolled Surf Beaches
For families with older kids who can swim confidently, Perth's surf beaches offer a different experience entirely.
🌊 Scarborough Beach
The most iconic surf beach in Perth metro. Consistently patrolled, excellent facilities, a fantastic foreshore playground for kids, and a café and restaurant strip right on the beach. 20 minutes from Perth CBD. Good moderate surf for kids learning to bodyboard.
🌊 City Beach
Large grassy foreshore area with excellent facilities — ideal for groups who want a mix of beach and green space. The surf is moderate. Ample parking and good kiosk facilities. A favourite for large family groups because of the space to spread out.
🌊 Trigg Beach
Trigg has excellent rockpools at the northern end that kids love exploring at low tide. The surf is reliable and the beach is well patrolled. The Trigg Beach Café is a Perth institution — outdoor seating, great coffee, excellent fish and chips.
Hidden Gems Worth the Drive
🐠 Coogee Beach
Coogee has a free ocean pool that's perfect for families with younger children who want to swim safely without ocean waves. The surrounding beach is calm and clean, with good facilities. Popular with locals from the southern suburbs.
🌿 Yanchep Lagoon
About an hour north of Perth, Yanchep Lagoon is protected and completely calm. Stunning turquoise water, white sand, and very few crowds midweek. Combine it with a visit to Yanchep National Park to see wild koalas and kangaroos — one of the best full-day trips from Perth.
Beach Safety Tips for Perth
Always swim between the flags. Perth's surf beaches can have rips and strong currents that aren't visible to the eye. Patrolled areas are clearly marked — stay within them, especially with children.
- Check the patrol schedule: surf.livesaving.com.au shows which beaches are patrolled and when
- Sun protection: Perth UV is extreme in summer — apply SPF50+ before leaving home, reapply every 2 hours, and keep hats on young children
- Shark Smart app: Free app from the WA Government shows tagged shark detections near Perth beaches in real time
- Stingers: Bluebottles (jellyfish) can be present particularly after northerly winds — check beach reports before you go
Getting the Whole Family to the Beach
A beach day with a large family group involves a lot of gear — towels, coolers, beach tents, boogie boards, toys, food. Squeezing all of that into multiple small cars is genuinely uncomfortable. An 8-seat people mover fits the whole family and all the gear in one trip — and when you're heading somewhere like Rockingham or Yanchep, no one has to follow a lead car on an unfamiliar route.
Book our Hyundai iMax online for your next beach day — check availability here.