The Top Family-Friendly Perth Beaches

There are 19 beautiful beaches that line the stunning Western Australian coastline, so picking the best beach in Perth isn't the easiest of tasks.
 

It's a rarely acknowledged truth but Perth beaches are generally more attractive than most patches of sand you'll find scattered across Australia. The colours are just so much more vivid, playing the ocean's clear aquamarine waters against sugary white sand, creating picture-perfect pockets that range from those big, glamorous beaches to smaller, secure coves suited for families.
 

Perth's beaches are all packed up and down the coastline so you've got a relatively straight edge with beaches neatly spread out from one another; you can easily beach-hop around to two or three on the same day. A fantastic convenience that makes it much easier to manage a family beach day while keeping things exciting. 
 

Ask five locals where their favourite is and you'll get five different answers, so it's really down to what kind of atmosphere you're going for. Do you want to find the best beaches in Perth for swimming or are you planning a nice beach picnic for the family? Little ones need somewhere to splash around? Or do the little ones want somewhere more exciting?

The best beaches in Perth are varied enough that you can find exactly what you're looking for without putting much effort into the search.

If you fancy yourself a bit of a savvy sand worm, then you'll already know that Perth's two most famous beaches are Cottesloe Beach and Scarborough Beach. And they're worlds apart, often leading to heated debates over which of these best symbolises Perth's beachy lifestyle.  
 

Cottesloe is a much better choice for bigger families and anyone looking for a more peaceful atmosphere, given the waters are calm, the sand is silky soft, and there are numerous grassy areas that are great for shaded picnics on one of Perth's routine scorchers. 
 

Scarborough flips over to the other side of the coin. Where Cottesloe is a nice open beach in an affluent, well-dressed neighbourhood, Scarborough leans towards the younger side with a chill atmosphere and temperamental ocean. The mix of skateparks, surrounding nightlife options, and idyllic surf breaks means Scarborough is an active scene at all hours of the day. It's more dynamic as a result, with more to do in the area.
 

Which beach is better suited to family time depends on how you want the day to unfold. Scarborough Beach is the livelier choice, not only because of all the on-water action and thriving hospitality scene, but there's also a public art trail and a beachside amphitheatre that's always great for a post-sand show. 
 

Families with younger children in tow are a much better fit for Cottesloe. The gentleness of Cottesloe's waters means parents can relax a bit more while their kids are wading around the waters, plus the pleasant tiered esplanade is perfect for staging a picnic under the shade of giant Norfolk Pine trees.
 

Insider's tip: While Cottesloe is better for families looking for quiet, it's hard to go past Scarborough's impressive “Whale Playground”, which was built on the foreshore in 2018, informed by Noongar culture with an oversized blue whale skeleton and a body made from climbing nets, plus a driftwood fort with a log swing.

Whether it's Coogee Beach or City Beach, Perth is full of alternatives to its two major patches of Scarborough and Cottesloe. The former, for example, is ideal if the family is full of keen snorkelers, with the sheltered waters hiding plenty of history down below including the famous Omeo Wreck located on the northern end of the beach, about 40 metres from shore. 
 

City Beach doesn't have the maritime history or points of interest, but it does have the lovely, pared-back atmosphere that makes it great for beachside BBQs. Two purpose-built groynes jutting out from the picturesque white sand keep the waters calm and well-suited for swimming, while little ones get their exercise in at the large children's playground. With ample toilets, changing rooms, and outside showers, the relatively affluent City Beach perfectly fits the brief for a nice, quiet family-friendly beach in Perth that's easy to get to, relatively quiet, and safe. 
 

There are some other beaches in Perth that are only suitable for families in certain sections. Take Swanbourne Beach, for example. The south section has always been popular with families and is a wonderfully casual, peaceful alternative if Cottesloe is too busy. Head north and you'll start to see a different type of crowd, however. North Swanbourne is unofficially a clothes-optional beach so you might want to stay south of the car park if you've got little ones trailing behind you. 
 

Mettams Pool is a local secret, just south of North Beach in Marmion Marine Park. If anyone grew up in Perth learning how to snorkel as a kid, then they likely got their start nosing around this area with its approachable spread of reefs and caves along the calm, shallow lagoon. Mettams Pool is so gently protected by rocks that it could easily be mistaken for a naturally occurring pool, with next to no waves so the whole family can have a swim before retreating to a shaded area for a picnic. 
 

And if you want to witness nature's superior version of the infinity pool, Yanchep Lagoon is the real deal: clear, calm water fenced by reef, waves topping a lazy metre. South end's your safest bet for a dip or snorkel with little kiddies, but the outer reef is also brilliant for the eight and ups. The best place in town to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean, the whole family smearing ice cream all over their grinning faces. 
 

As with all Perth beaches, always swim between the flags; currents sneak out to deep water quicker than a shark alarm.
 

Insider's tip: Often overlooked by visitors, Perth's ultimate family friendly beach can be found at Hillarys Boat Harbour. The sheltered spot ticks off all the amenities you could want for a big family day out: BBQ facilities scattered around, change rooms and public toilets, patrolled beach, shallow waters and a pontoon that's beloved by older kids. Time your visit right and you'll find giant, colourful floating slides set up throughout the summer months.

Check your family into the 256-room Novotel Perth Langley. The hotel has many different room categories including several types of suites and adjoining rooms so you can find the best option for the size of your crew.

The hotel is just a short walk from Elizabeth Quay, the city's most active harbourfront precinct with amazing shopping and dining. But you've also got easy access to public transport, easily bringing you to all the major beaches that are located along Perth's coastline. 

Or if you, like most families, definitely need a place with a pool, the Novotel Perth Murray Street has a beautiful all-weather setup. The hotel is also smack-dab in the centre of town, and their in-house restaurant, Miss Mi, is exceptional. Their Asian grill menu ranges from WA grilled octopus with house-fermented pepper sambal to lamb ribs with Szechuan glaze and pickled red cabbage, with some less daring options and smaller sizes for the little ones.

Both hotels honour Novotel's kid-friendly offer of a complimentary breakfast buffet for everyone under sixteen, when sharing a family room with their parents.