12 popular beaches on Rottnest Island ranked by Perth locals

With 63 beaches to explore on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, you might need some help picking which one to visit on your trip. To help you decide where to lay out your towel, we asked over 400 Perth locals which was their favourite beach.

While some of Rottnest Island’s best beaches are located within walking distance from the settlement, you will need to travel to reach some of those located further out. Hire a bike for complete freedom to beach hop around the island. And be sure to stock up on water and food before you set out.

From popular snorkel spots to tranquil, hidden coves, here are the best Rottnest Island beaches ranked by Perth locals.

Best Rottnest Island's beaches ranked by Perth locals

1. The Basin
2. Little Salmon Bay
3. Pinky Beach
4. Geordie Bay
5. Parakeet Bay
6. Thomson Bay
7. Fay's Bay
8. Little Armstrong Bay
9. Ricey Beach
10. Rocky Bay
11. Parker Point
12. City of York

1. The Basin

For Perth locals, it will be no surprise that the Basin tops the list of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island’s best beaches. Over 20% of people named the natural lagoon as their favourite beach on Rotto.

This popular swimming and snorkelling spot has a lot going for it besides the iconic turquoise waters. It’s a 15-minute walk from the settlement, so it’s easy to reach even if you don’t have a bike. The towering Norfolk pines and undercover areas provide plenty of shade. There are BBQ, toilet and shower facilities, wooden decking and it’s the only beach that’s patrolled by surf lifesavers in the summer.

The Basin’s calm protected waters offer excellent snorkelling and swimming of all ages. Basically, the Basin has everything you need for a perfect day at the beach and the locals know it.

2. Little Salmon Bay

Voted in at number two on the list of Rottnest Island’s best beaches is Little Salmon Bay. Located on the southern side of the island, you’ll need to cycle or catch a bus to reach this protected cove. But it’s well worth the effort. The naturally sheltered beach provides calm waters, perfect for families. It’s also a popular spot for snorkelling, with 10 informational plaques dotted around the bay as part of the Little Salmon Bay snorkel trail.

3. Pinky Beach

Pinky Beach is another top Rottnest Island beach that is easily reached from the settlement. It’s one of the longest and widest beaches on Rottnest Island, so there’s usually more than enough space to roll out your towel.

Laying in the shadow of Bathurst Lighthouse, Pinky Beach is also a popular spot to watch the sunset. Bring a picnic to enjoy the change of colours over the ocean and see how the beach gets its name. Or grab a drink at Pinky’s Rottnest Island just behind the dunes.

4. Geordie Bay

Further north from Pinky Beach, Geordie Bay offers plenty of space on its snow-white shores to lay down a towel. There’s a jetty for boat access, accommodation chalets, a café and general store, making it a popular spot to stay. With toilet and shower facilities, it’s also an excellent spot to set up for a day at the beach.

5. Parakeet Bay

About 10 minutes further by bike from Geordie Bay, Parakeet Bay is another wide stretch of white sandy beach perfect for swimming and snorkelling. As one of the last stops on the hop-on-hop-off bus, it’s often overlooked by travellers making their way clockwise around the island. So, it’s usually quieter than many of the other beaches closer to the settlement. Be sure to bring your snorkel here as the undulating underwater rock formations are a haven for an array of sea life.

6. Thomson Bay

If you don’t feel like travelling far when you get off the ferry, Thomson Bay is a nice easy beach option in the settlement. Locals love the calm waters and roped off swimming area for little swimmers. There are BBQ facilities for cooking up a storm and it’s just a step away from the cafes and restaurants of the settlement. Thomson Bay is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the vibe of Rottnest Island.

7. Fay’s Bay

If you’re looking for a quiet escape on your trip to Rottnest Island, Fay’s Bay may be just the ticket. This tranquil beach is a not far from Geordie Bay, but it’s a little off the beaten track, making it less frequented than its southern neighbour. Limestone outcrops protect the cove from rough weather and create the perfect environment for seagrass meadows. There is a handful of accommodation chalets here too, making it a popular spot for locals who like to get away from the buzz on their trip to Rotto.

8. Little Armstrong Bay

Locals know that as you head further away from the settlement, the beaches become quieter and it’s easier to find a spot to yourself. Little Armstrong Bay, about a 4-kilometre bike ride north of Thomson Bay, is one of those secluded, less frequented beaches.

If you’re walking the Karlinyah Bidi, the trail passes by Little Armstrong Bay. Enjoy the opportunity to cool off in the clear waters or simply admire the scenery on your walk.

9. Ricey Beach

Plenty of Perth locals head to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island for the fishing, and Ricey Beach is one of the best spots on the island to cast a line. But even if you’re not interested in catching your dinner, this expansive beach on the western shore is an excellent place to while away a day at the beach. The coral reef provides protection from the ocean waves, making it a top spot for families. And its location about a 25-minute ride from the settlement means you won’t have to share it with many other beachgoers.

10. Rocky Bay

Located on the western side of the island, along the northern shore of the Narrow Neck, Rocky Bay is one of the beaches furthest from the settlement. The beach itself is a long stretch of white sand but don a snorkel to see how the bay gets its name. Under the waves, the limestone rock forms lagoons and coves, the perfect habitat for stingrays, octopus and an array of colourful fish.

11. Parker Point

Close to the southern tip of Rottnest Island, Parker Point overlooks the spectacular marine sanctuary waters of Porpoise Bay. The environmental protection offered by the sanctuary has allowed the sea life to proliferate, creating some of the best conditions for snorkelling and diving around the island.

12. City of York

Named after a ship that sank off Rottnest Island 1899, the City of York is a secluded beach on the island’s northwest cost. It’s also a nesting site for eastern ospreys that call the island home. Look for their stack (nest) built from sticks and debris, high up in the rocks.

Tips for picking the best beach on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island

Still not sure which beach is the best one to visit on your trip to Rotto? Keep these things in mind when deciding where to go.

1. Check the wind direction

Checking the wind direction will be the difference between swimming in tranquil, protected waters and being sandblasted as you lay on the beach.

2. Distance from the settlement

Beaches closer to the settlement tend to be busier. You’re more likely to find a hidden spot to yourself the further away from the settlement you go. Hire a bike or purchase a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus to make your way around the island.

3. What facilities you need

While at the beaches closer to the settlement you can expect flushing toilets, shower facilities, water fountains and BBQ areas, the beaches are more basic the further out you go. Bring plenty of food, water and sunscreen if you’re heading to the more remote beaches. And if you can’t handle long drop toilets, stick to the beaches close to the settlement.

Keen for more pointers from Perth locals on visiting Wadjemup / Rottnest Island? Check out their tips for visiting Rottnest Island.

These are not the only beaches and bays where you can swim, snorkel and relax on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. Book your trip to explore the island and discover your own favourite!

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