10+ Margaret River Beaches: Complete Locals Guide

Hello, fellow beach lovers and travel enthusiasts! I’m thrilled to be sharing with you my passion and knowledge of the unspoiled Margaret River beaches.

Since settling here in 2016 with my family, these shimmering, surf-kissed sands have become my second home. My five water-obsessed sons and my husband and I, have practically spent half of our lives fishing, swimming, and relishing in the radiant Australian sun at a Margaret River beach.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about beaches in Margaret River!

Margaret River Beaches

1. Gnoocardup Beach

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 13km |📍LOCATION: Yebble WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Gnoocardup Beach

✅Gnoocardup Beach is a small, white sandy beach nestled between two rocky outcrops.

✅It’s located north of the well-known Kilcarnup Beach and is accessible by 4WD only.

✅It’s somewhat of a secret spot, often visited by a handful of locals when the surf is up.

✅The beach is perfect for a quiet picnic, a stroll along the white sand, or exploring rock pools with kids.

✅The beach is suitable for fishing but it’s a steep 70m walk down steep stairs from the parking area, so be prepared to carry all your gear.

✅There’s a surf break almost directly in front of the lookout and pathway down, which isn’t consistent and is best on off-shore days. A few locals prefer to surf here due to the low crowd.

✅The beach is not recommended for swimming due to waves of 1m-1.5m and a quick drop-off.

🏖️Summary: Gnoocardup Beach is a lovely secret beach here if you’re up for the 4WD!

2. Kilcarnup Beach

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 13km |📍LOCATION: Yebble WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Kilcarnup Beach

✅Kilcarnup Beach is a popular spot with locals, with the 4WD track starting about ten minutes north of Margaret River, Western Australia.

✅The beach is family-friendly and a fantastic place for kids to learn surfing.

✅Kilcarnup Beach is a remote and peaceful spot, without any shops, toilets, or park benches. Be sure to bring everything you need.

✅Fishing is a prime activity here with abundant Herring, Tailor, Skippy, and deep channel Mulloway. You can also catch Salmon during their annual run.

✅The beach is renowned for surfing, offering easy conditions for beginners to learn.

🏖️Summary: Kilcarnup Beach is a great spot for a day trip. There is plenty to do, and the views are stunning. Take a picnic, let the kids have a surf, and be sure to take all your rubbish with you. If you’re looking for a beaut day at the beach, Kilcarnup Beach should definitely be on your list!

3. Margaret River Mouth

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 9km |📍LOCATION: Prevelly WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Margaret River Mouth

✅Margaret River River Mouth is a fantastic spot offering natural beauty and great surfing conditions with consistent breaks and appealing lefts on both reefs.

✅Convenient beach access allows visitors to cross the river mouth to the beach, especially during drier months when the river mouth is blocked by rising sands.

✅The location features well-maintained walking trails along both the river and the coastline, providing excellent outdoor exploration opportunities.

✅There’s also a trail heading south along the coastline to a lookout where both the River Mouth and Surfers Point can be seen. You can enjoy a picnic and a barbecue with a stunning view!

✅The River itself is very safe for young kids to splash around in, and our kids have played here plenty of times!

🏖️Summary: Definitely recommend a visit here too, it’s great in winter to watch the waves crashing and in summer, it’s a nice safe place for the kids to splash around in. From what I gather it’s a great beach to learn to surf on as well.

4. Surfers Point

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 9km |📍LOCATION: Prevelly WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Surfers Point

✅Margaret River Main Break, famous for its big waves and consistent swells, is the top surfing spot in Margaret River and the venue for the annual Margaret River Pro surfing event.

✅Even if you’re not up for surfing, you can enjoy watching from the facilities designed for spectators. It’s a wonderful place to hang out, particularly in the evenings, for the breathtaking sunset views.

✅It’s not uncommon to stumble upon spontaneous jam sessions adding to the cool vibe of the place.

✅I advise against swimming at Surfers Point, especially with small children, but it’s a great beach for a walk and perfect for taking in the sunset and the view.

✅Only an 8-minute drive from Margaret River, the beach offers facilities like toilets and showers. Plus, you can find accommodation, a general store, and a café in nearby Prevelly.

🏖️Summary: Highly recommend grabbing some snacks and drinks and heading here for a sunset, at least one night of your trip. It’s a real vibe!

5. Gnarabup Beach

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 9km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Gnarabup Beach

✅Gnarabup Beach, just south of Surfers Point, is a perfect swimming beach for families, especially those with small children, thanks to its sheltered nature due to a limestone reef and a southern headland.

✅At the north end of the beach is Riflebutts Reserve which features a playground for kids, an off-leash area for dogs, toilets, and picnic tables.

✅The beach also has a busy boat ramp for those who want to take their boat into the water.

✅The iconic White Elephant Beach Cafe is located here, providing casual beachside dining options.

✅Only a 7-minute drive from Margaret River, Gnarabup Beach comes highly recommended for those with limited time looking for a great spot to swim.

🏖️Summary: If you are staying in Margaret River town or Prevelly, this is the place to come for a swim!

6. Grunters Beach

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 12km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Grunters Beach

✅Grunters Beach, located along Walcliffe Road past Gnarabup Beach, is popular among locals for its challenging waves and great barrels.

✅The surf at Grunters is consistent and can be good at any time of the year.

✅Ideal conditions occur when a west-southwest swell combines with an offshore wind from the east-northeast.

✅The carpark is a nice place for photos, so bring your camera!

7. Gas Bay

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 12km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Gas Bay

✅Gas Bay, located south along Walcliffe Road past Gnarabup Beach, offers a challenging surfing experience.

✅The beach is often fairly crowded.

✅Gas Bay features an exposed reef break with reliable surf, particularly during the summer months.

✅The best conditions occur with offshore winds from the east and swells from the south-southwest.

✅The surf can become messy when the tide changes as sand flushes onto the reef, but it clears up once the tide settles.

8. Boodjidup Beach

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 12km |📍LOCATION: Gnarabup WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Boodjidup Beach

✅Boodjidup Beach offers about 2km of white, sandy shoreline for walking, and very popular with local surfers.

✅The beach can be found by heading to the Gas Bay carpark and following the sandy track south.

✅A half-hour walk will take you to Boodjidup Creek, a great spot to rest or turn back.

✅If you approach Boodjidup Beach from the south, near Redgate, you’ll find a quiet, ideal swimming spot.

✅Please note that there are no facilities at Boodjidup Beach.

9. Redgate Beach

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 14km |📍LOCATION: Redgate WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Redgate Beach

✅Redgate Beach, nestled between rocky outcrops, is known for its sandy beach and popular surf break.

✅Perfect for a relaxed beach break or surfing heavy reef breaks, it is set among beautiful coastal dunes and ancient granite boulders.

✅Suitable for beginners in the right conditions, but be aware of potential rips. It performs well with a south-to-south-west swell and easterly wind.

✅Only line fishing and diving for rock lobster are permitted. No rock lobster or octopus potting is allowed.

✅This is also a suitable beach for kids in the right conditions, though if its windy and choppy be prepared to head to another beach.

🏖️Summary: I love this beach during winter, after a storm the waves are intense and make for great photos!

10. Contos Beach

🌏DISTANCE FROM MARGARET RIVER: 22km |📍LOCATION: Boranup WA | Google Maps

♥️Why You Will Love Contos Beach

✅Contos Beach offers a sense of remoteness, situated at the end of a few kilometers of rugged gravel road surrounded by dense bushland.

✅The lack of crowds ensures finding a secluded spot on the long coastline is a breeze.

✅Unlike some other remote spots, Contos Beach is accessible to all vehicles.

✅Swimming is enjoyable in the summer while hiking in the cooler months offers a unique connection to the landscape.

✅Kids can enjoy exploring rock pools and clambering on rock formations.

🏖️Summary: I like this drive. Conto Road has lots to look at! And Contos Beach itself is nice for swimming and fishing.

Wrapping Up: Margaret River Beaches

Margaret River has some of the best beaches in the world. With its beautiful coastline, perfect climate and amazing waves, it’s no wonder that this region is such a popular destination for beach lovers. 

Margaret River beaches are perfect if you’re looking to surf, swim or just relax on the sand. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!