Up and down the almost 13,000 kilometres of coastline in Western Australia, you will find an abundance of sandy beaches perfect for an outdoor adventure with you and your pup.
From city-side hideouts to remote shores, check out our favourite dog beaches in Western Australia for hours of fun.
Cable Beach, Broome
While dogs aren’t allowed on the main swimming stretch between the surf club and ramp, they can wander the best of the beach to their heart’s content. The most popular time to visit is sunset, when the sky lights up in shades of orange and pink. Keep an eye out for the camel rides along the shore, which have been a Broome institution for years.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat after a long day of exploring, Spinifex Brewery is located by the beach. This dog and child-friendly brewery has a children’s playground, large garden, and an outdoor screen and stage. Taste fresh beer straight from tank to tap, and order an artisan woodfired pizza with your pooch beside you.
Gnarabup Beach, Margaret River
Park at the Reef Drive Carpark and wander down the stairs to Gnarabup Beach, where the large off-leasg dog area is a popular hang for puppies and their owners. The waters here are a sparkling blue, and tend to be quite calm, making it perfect for four-legged friends to cool off.
Be sure to check out the dog-friendly White Elephant Cafe just over the dunes, with open-air seating and fresh coffee. Or, walk along the boardwalk with your dog on a leash, and get takeaway fish and chips from the Hooked Up Fish & Chips truck.
Gracetown Beach, Gracetown
While Gracetown Beach may be small, it is a beautiful and intimate spot frequented by locals. With wind funnelled between two rocky points, the beach offers a couple of landmark surf breaks ideal for budding surfers.
The dog-friendly stretch is a little further along the bay, with plenty of space to let your pup roam. Just a short walk up the hill, the Gracetown General Store serves fresh coffee and sweet treats all day long, making it ideal for an escape when the sun reaches its peak.
Native Dog Beach, Bremer Bay
As the name suggests, Native Dog Beach is extremely dog friendly. In fact, your pooch can run off-leash for most of the sandy area, as long as you avoid the fenced bird sanctuary.
While surfers love the swell, dangerous rips make it unsafe for inexperienced or beginner surfers. Instead, you can walk through the natural flora that covers the sand-hills, and step back for stunning views across the horizon.
The beach is 10 minutes from Bremer Bay, a coastal town known for killer whale encounters, wildflowers, and gorgeous lookouts. If you’re hoping to stay a little longer, we recommend booking accomodation in this charming area.
Peaceful Bay Dog Beach, Peaceful Bay
Directly across from the caravan park, Peaceful Bay Dog Beach is a secluded spot where dogs can roam off-leash. The water is generally calm, so your pooch can enjoy dipping their toes in the blue water. Plus, barbecues spotted along the coast make it a great spot for a picnic or classic Aussie dinner.
When you’ve finished playing on the sand, head back to the caravan park to find Peaceful Bay Fish & Chips. This family-operated business uses only the freshest fish caught daily from its boat, serving perfectly crispy fish cooked to perfection. Choose to dine-in and soak in views over Peaceful Bay, or takeaway and enjoy the meal while your dog continues playing at the beach.
Wharton Beach, Esperance
An hour east of Esperance, through the rugged and breathtaking Cape Le Grand National Park, you’ll come across the sprawling shoreline of Wharton Beach. The curved bay, white sand, and pale blue water makes it an insta-worthy find, perfect for both outdoor adventures and ocean-side relaxation.
Wharton Beach is a popular spot for 4WDing, as you can literally drive onto the beach. Other popular activities include picnicking, surfing, snorkelling or birdwatching. And, of course, you’ll meet plenty of other friendly dogs wanting to play.
Jakes Point, Kalbarri
Jakes Point, known as “Jakes” by locals, is a popular surfing beach known for its left-hand surf break. The scenic coastal path above Jakes Point is great for walking with your pup, with plenty of opportunity to spot bottlenose dolphins in the water below.
Or, descend onto the sand to watch the sunset with your furry friend. You can also explore the rock pools, although keep in mind that some areas require a leash.
When visiting, you might notice something strange about the sand. That’s because naturally occurring garnet crystals mean the beach has a pink hue for most of the year. Since this is a natural process, the strength and hue of the pink is constantly changing, but it’s a fun addition to the trip and well-worth noting.
C.Y. O’Connor Beach, North Coogee
Stop over at C.Y. O’Connor Beach in Perth to meet many local dogs and their owners. This one is definitely a crowd favourite, as dogs can frolic in the surf and catch balls on the sand. For history buffs, make sure to check out the SS Wyola Shipwreck, the remains of the old jetty, and the C.Y.O’Connor statue. Don’t worry – there are plenty of signs sharing useful historic information too.
Can’t get enough of these dog beaches in Western Australia? To learn about more dog beaches in Perth, click here.
If you still haven’t had enough of beaches, make sure to check out this article about the best beaches in Australia!
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