Our guide to the best Bremer Bay beaches
Home to spectacular bays and beaches that stretch for kilometres Bremer Bay, located on Western Australia’s southern coastline, is a haven of white sand and turquoise water. Some might even say that the Bremer Bay beaches are the best in all of Australia. From protected coves with emerald green water to squeaky white sand beaches and oceans of brilliant blue, there are plenty of incredible sandy spots that you won’t want to miss digging your toes into!
Here are a few of our favourites:
Bremer Bay Beach
The first of the Bremer Bay beaches you must visit is its main beach. Closest to the township of Bremer Bremer Bay Beach is just a mere 10-minute walk from town. With a beautiful wide expanse of crystal clear aqua blue water and a long stretch of beautiful white sand for swimming, it’s a little slice of paradise. Sweeping around to James Cove to the east and south, the beach is kilometres long and takes up nearly a quarter of the Bay. Popular for 4WDs you can drive along Bremer Bay Beach – just take the river mouth track until you reach a shack (a good spot to let your tyres down). As you continue further the track that changes to soft white dune sand with bends and small hills.
Paperbark Park is adjacent to the beach with newly renovated toilets and outdoor shower facilities. Also near the change rooms you’ll find a shelter, picnic table, gas BBQs and a fantastic new nature-based playground for the kids. Dogs are allowed on the beach but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Native Dog Beach
Located in Dillon Bay, this is the most popular for surfing and fishing of the Bremer Bay beaches. You’ll find Native Dog Beach on the Point Henry Peninsular at the end of Native Dog Road. There’s a strong rip, so it’s only recommended for experienced surfers and swimmers. From the car park there’s an easy to follow track down to the beach. Even on a cold day it’s worth the drive just to spend a few minutes admiring the view from the lookout here that sits amidst a grove of native trees. You’ll also toilet facilities adjoining the car park.
Blossoms Beach
This gorgeous 1 kilometre stretch of beach in Dillon Bay off the Point Henry Peninsular is popular with families due to its lower waves and super shallow flat white sand and crystal clear aqua water. Blossoms Beach is one of the best Bremer Bay beaches for swimming and general beach activities. If you have a 4WD, you can drive down onto the beach via the sandy track off Native Dog Beach Road. But this Bremer Bay beach is also accessible to everyone by a short walk down a track from the car park at the end of the road. Toilets are available near the parking area on the Native Dog Beach side.
Little Boat Harbour
Little Boat Harbour is a great spot on the Point Henry Peninsula for snorkelling or a calm swim. With a dive trail and lots of rocks and seagrass meadows close to shore, take your flippers and goggles to spot some of the local sting rays or WA’s famous sea dragon. This is one of our favourite Bremer Bay beaches for a swim as it is protected in a cove and is usually calm due to the rocks bordering each end. There’s only a small parking area, and it can get busy here during holidays and weekends, so if you want to get a park close you’ll need to arrive early. You’ll also find a small gazebo with a picnic table, and a toilet block.
Banky Beach
This secluded Bremer Bay beach off Banky Beach Road is also on the Point Henry Peninsula. It can only be reached via a 30 metre steep embankment (hence the name). But it’s definitely worth the effort to have the entire 350 metre beach to yourself. If you’re game, there’s a rope to help you down and back up the bank. Look out for the trail at the top of the bluff just off to the left. Just a short walk and you’ll find a spectacular bench seat with stunning views over Banky Beach.
Short Beach
A popular location for swimming, fishing (salmon in season) and snorkelling, the pretty aqua blue water of Short Beach beckons you as you drive down the road towards it. A rock reef lies about 50 metres offshore and parallels most of the beach, resulting in generally low waves and a steep beach. The sand is white and squeaky, it’s dog friendly (if on a leash), and there is a gazebo, good toilet facilities and a large car park. Best to avoid this Bremer Bay beach when an easterly is blowing as it can get a bit rough.
Fishery Beach
This safe and sheltered beach is popular for swimming, boating and fishing. Located on the headland at the southern end of Back Beach and accessed via Swarbrick Road, this 250 metre long Bremer Bay beach is protected by rocky points and faces north, so it usually has calm conditions. The harbour is also the departure point for whale watching tours. Southern right whales calve in the nearby bays from July to November and Bremer Bay is one of the best places in Australia to see the ocean’s apex predator – Orca, with tours running from January to April. Read our recent blog on what to expect during a tour.
Fishery Beach is also great for fishing both from the beach or off the marina jetty. You can expect to catch squid, herring and in-season Salmon. The harbour provides boat launching facilities, and you’ll find fish cleaning facilities (in the adjacent car park) plus a toilet, shower and change room.
Where is Bremer Bay
Located 488 kilometres from Perth (around five and a half hour drive), Bremer Bay can be found in the Great Southern region at the mouth of the Bremer River, about halfway between Albany and Esperance. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but let me tell you, it’s absolutely worth it for the Bremer Bay beaches alone! Make sure your GPS or Google Maps is set to the fastest route – as otherwise it could take you a lot longer. The best route is via Katanning, Borden, Monjebup and Boxwood Hill. All of these small country roads are well maintained, and you won’t have much traffic.
For more things to see and do read our Guide on why you need to visit Bremer Bay. For more options on other beautiful regions of Western Australia, check out Our Guide to the Avon Valley, or our 5 favourite WA spots for an overnight getaway from Perth that are less than 2 hours drive!
