The Ultimate Guide to Surfing in Perth
Surfing in Perth takes you to the warm-water breaks of the Indian Ocean on one of the most consistent surf shores in Australia. The city itself might lack exposed beaches but it’s the gateway to Margaret River and other top-notch WA surf towns.
An introduction to surfing in Perth
Uber-long runs of clean sand right on the Indian Ocean – check! One foot in the Southern Ocean to hoover up the same swells that power the likes of Bali and the Mentawais – check! Not too far from the legendary spots of Margaret River – at least not too far in Oz measurements! You might think that surfing in Perth was some of the best on the planet. Sadly, it’s not quite as simple as that.
Look, this isn’t Sydney. Surfing in Perth is good but not quite epic. It’s a bit of a balancing act and a waiting game. The presence of a huge barrier reef system around Rottnest Island to the southwest of the CBD means that this one’s a case of close but no cigar; an almost surf mecca that sits in a bit of a swell shadow.
But Rottnest doesn’t kill the whole thing. Its reefs don’t temper the dominant SW swells that hit the most northerly of the city beaches. You can also escape to the south on surf expeditions to find places that get the full brunt of SW swells and tame them into peeling rights and left points and reefs. Put another way, there are world-class waves to be found, but you’ll probably have to travel for them.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Australia
Surfing in Perth at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to surfing in Perth?
Where is Perth?
Perth is often called the most isolated city on the planet.
The warm and friendly locals mean it rarely feels that way, but it’s true: The nearest next-door city is Adelaide, some 2,000km or so across the Outback.
Perth itself is on the southwestern end of Western Australia. It faces the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, which runs westwards all the way to Africa. On it’s other side are vast eucalyptus forests and then the seemingly endless expanses of the Australian deserts.
How to get to Perth?
Simple: Fly.
You can hop on internal flights from major Aussie cities every day, but there are also direct long-hauls to Perth from London and cities in Asia.
Try using Kiwi to search flights – they have a unique algo that links together all airlines to get the best deal, not just the ones that use codeshares. It can turn up some great bargains.
Once you’re on the ground then there’s really no solution for surfers other than a car hire. You’ll see in this guide how spread out the various surf spots in and around the city are.
Ones to the north are 1.5-2 hours, while the iconic areas of Margaret River are as much as three hours’ drive (though the drive is beautiful and there are loads of surf towns and beaches along the way).
We use RentalCars for all our hires in Oz. In our experience they offer the cheapest rates and oftne throw in late cancellation to
Perth surf spots
We cast the net pretty wide here. The thing is, when it comes to surfing in Perth, you pretty much have to. Remember that darn Rottnest Island swell shadow? So, let’s escape that to both the north and the south of the CBD…
Surf spots in north Perth
North of Perth is remote as hell. It’s not long out of the city that the wild coast begins and you start to but up to the forests of the Gnangara-moore River basin. There are some great breaks here, like The Spot and
Lancelin
The midday winds have made Lancelin a hub for windsurfing competitions. But dawnies and evening sessions mean you can avoid that and get cleaner conditions.
There are a couple of spots here, chiefly Back Beach, a very accessible all-level beach break that’s right by the town center. That’s a playground for groms and learners.
Further north between Eddies Island and Lancelin Island is a stretch of reef that offers a fantastic right hander known as Hole in the Wall, plus rights and lefts on either side of the rocks, each working on different winds and offering varying challenges (often tubes) for more advanced riders.
Check out our complete guide to Lancelin (coming soon)
Ders
We put Ders down as a consistently overrated spot. It’s about an hour’s drive north of the Perth CBD but rarely offers enough to justify the trip.
Add to that the fact that the track in is a ripped-up piece of rubbish and you ain’t going, are ya?
It’s a reef-sand mix that has good contact with SW swells and a single A-frame. Always lots of people in the water when it’s working and it’s hard to understand why.
The Spot
Just south of Two Rocks outside of Yanchep, an hour’s drive out of Perth CBD, The Spot is one of the quality breaks in this part of WA.
It’s a left-hander that works well when there’s more westerly direction in the swell. When it’s, maybe, 1.5m and combines with an offshore, it peels perfectly and will barrel. There are also rights but they tend to be messier. The track in is a bit of an expedition.
Burns
A hard-to-reach reef break that has some of the best consistency north of the city, Burns is technically an A-frame but the left is a killer. Go right and it’s a decent section that gets hollow when it’s feeling generous. Sharks and rocks are the main issues.
The Wall (Hillary’s)
The harbor wall in Hillary’s helps to form up this very fickle wedge break. Extremely unreliable because it needs heavy swells to translate into anything rideable. But it can be fun on bigger days. Lots of bodyboarders getting thrown around.
Surf spots in Perth city
Once you enter the city itself, the quality of surf does take a hit. That’s because of outlying islands and the general shape of the coast, plus the inevitable crowds that will be on the breaks when they are working.
But there are a few pretty nice spots that manage to suck up some swell, starting with Trigg Beach (the best surf spot inside Perth city limits for sure) and heading south from there…
Trigg Beach & Trigg Point
We’d say Trigg Beach is the best-quality and most reliable surf break within easy reach of Perth’s CBD. It’s got a point break right at its northern end that’s best left to good intermediates and up.
Then the beach turns into a long run of white sand that picks up decent swells (despite some interference from Rottnest and the reefs) to offer lefts and rights that are great for all levels. Always busy. Some localism.
Scarborough
Scarborough Beach brings us firmly into the swell shadow that’s cast by Rottnest Island. That means its fairy unreliable.
On the plus side, it offers small swells that are perfect for beginners but the waves do rely on a shifting bunch of sandbanks and you really never know where they’re going to be sitting.
Leighton
There must be a tiny little gap in the shelf of reef out at sea here because Leighton does get something from those SW swells. It’s never good, mind you, but there is punchy whitewash for complete beginners who want to pop or skim.
All-in-all a nice beach and great for surfing in Perth with the little ones. Pretty much the only southern beach that’s within city limits where you can take the board, too – the rest require a much heftier drive…
Post Beach
This is essentially the south end of Leighton Beach but it angles a little more to the north so is capable of getting difffernet swell angles.
The whole thing is mainly lapping shorebreaks that dwindle to nothing in the summer months. During winter, there can be lots of mush for learners and groms. The whole area around here is lovely, what with the Freo beach walk and all its nice shops and hotels on the doorstep.
It’s a great place if you’re coming as a family and the groms want to get in the water for a little surf/boogie board. It’s also a good base for surfers since it’s such a fun part of the city and has good road links to Trigg and other, better, surf beaches further north.
Surf spots in south Perth
The south side of the city is where things get better on the surf front. The Indian Ocean swells can creep in here unhindered, especially once you’re past the headlands of Mandurah (around 45 minutes’ driving south of the CBD).
Mandurah
Mandurah is the most famous surf town within an hour’s drive of Perth. It’s been a go-to spot for surfers since at least the 50s and it hosts one of the region’s longest running surf clubs.
The great thing here is that the coast goes from facing north to facing northwest around a pointed headland. On one side you have protected bays perfect for SUPing, swimming, and learning to surf. On the other is a string of punchy beach and reef breaks that have all sorts, from rifle-barrel lefts to big, slabby rights.
If you’re a decent surfer then you’ll want to plan your trip right. Mandurah is a good base, but then you’ll travel out to one of maybe 10 beaches or breaks to the south of the town when the swell is on.
Where to stay? Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets are low-key surf pads that have space for boards and parking. Great as a base for exploring this part of the Perth coast.
Check out our complete guide to surfing the Margaret River area
Pyramids Beach
Friendly Pyramids Beach is a holidaymaker’s mecca and another good learner spot on the coastline south of Perth. It gets a touch more swell than its neighboring beginner breaks so can offer something for improver intermediates too.
When there’s a big winter storm, there are licky right-hand peaks by the breakwater on the north end of the beach that are super sucky and super fun and can even go hollow.
Margaret River
Margaret River might be a whopping 3 hours south of the CBD but if you want epic, this is the place to go. There’s something like 130 designated beaches in the territory, and some of them are the stuff of legends.
Big swell days attract the cream of WA surfers and surfers from all over, offering beefy slabs with left-hand barrel sections and amazing right tubes to rival Hawaii.
It’s arguably the best surfing in all of Oz.
Where to stay? The Simala Retreat. Yea it’s not situated directly on the white-sand beaches of Margaret River, but considering you’ll need a car to explore the surf spots across the region, it’s perfectly placed for a stay.
Check out our complete guide to surfing the Margaret River area
Best hotels (for surfers) in Perth
Perth has plenty of beachside hotels.
We’ve picked out a few that will put you right on the side of the city’s main CBD surf spots. And we’ve got options that get you down to the surf hub of Mandurah.
Ocean View
Sat right on the oceanside of Scarborough and Trigg Beaches – the main two urban surf beaches in Perth – this condo hotel has cracking views and some great extras. There’s an al fresco pool, bug gardens with sunning terraces, and even tennis courts.
Just triggin
Just triggin is a stylish new apartment rental a few blocks north from Trigg Point. It offers plenty of square meterage for surfers who like to relax and cook for themselves, along with top access to the reef breaks north of the city proper.
La Cabana – Mandurah Beach House
Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets are charming little boltholes close to the waves of Mandurah – the best surf town within an hour’s drive of the city. They’re great for couples, offer parking, neat interiors and self-catering facilities.
To be honest, there are tones of great options for surfing here. Our rec would be this: Stay in Freo (Freemantle) or near Trigg Beach if you want to surf a little bit and see the city; stay in Mandurah or even Margaret River if you mainly want to surf and see Perth a little bit when you fly in.
You can use Booking.com’s handy map thing to see exactly how close hotels are to the beaches and surf spots.
Surf lessons in Perth
The best surf schools in the Perth region are down in Margaret River. Travel the three hours there and you won’t be disappointed – it’s not only beautiful but it’s got beaches and waves for all levels, not to mention one of WA’s best-rated surf schools…
- Margaret River Surfing Academy Private Lesson – If you want 1-on-1 surf instruction then this private lesson with the highly rated Marg River Surfing Academy is a great shout. It’s around $50 per person but you’ll be the only focus of attention during the 2-hour sesh, which includes in-water and on-land instruction.
- Margaret River Surfing Academy Group Lesson – These are the classic group surf sessions that we think most beginners and learners should go for. It’s 2 hours in all and includes practice of pop up technique on the beach, safety briefing, and all your gear. All comes in under $40 per person, which is nice.
When to surf in Perth?
If it weren’t for Rottnest Island, Perth would receive almost consistent SW and W swells from the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean. We can only dream.
As it is, autumn and winter tend to be better because they supply a little extra power to help the waves get around the continental shelf and into the urban beaches. Water will be cooler in winter and there’s a chance of stronger onshore winds then, but it’s beefier waves all round.
Winter (June-Aug)
Winter is widely considered to be the best time to chase the surf in Perth. Swells pick up and more can work its way into the CBD beaches over Rottnest Island, offering the largest days of the year.
Sometimes there can be issues with onshore winds but most of the surfers in the metro area are just happy to see something arriving. Margaret River to the south is positively pumping at this time. Lots of spots there are XXL and pros only.
Spring (September-Nov)
There’s a gradual slackening of the swell from the SW throughout the spring here. It means that days in September are often a lot better than in November.
We still like it though, even if the water is chilly and most people have to stick to the 3/2 throughout.
Summer (December-Feb)
The hottest season in Perth and loads of sun to go around. It can be flat for days on end in the CBD because there’s not much action in the SW swell channel. It does come, though, and on those days there are lovely glassy ankle burners in Cottlesloe and up. 1mm wetties and rash vests is all ya need when it’s scorching.
Autumn (March-May)
Our favourite time to surf in Perth overall. Autumn sees extra power come into those SW swell directions, helping the reef breaks on the north shore get cooking. Down as far as Margaret River, it’s really going well by the end of the season, and there’s less onshore wind action than in winter. The water also stays warm, so you can usually get by with a neo vest or a 2mm all over.
Surf shops in Perth
Perth actually has more surf shops than you might think for a city that’s starved of waves a lot of the time becuase of outlying islands.
There again, this is the economic hub of all WA, and you gotta get your sticks somewhere, right?
To be honest it makes sense there’s a few good ones in town, becuase – as we’ve said several times in this guide – Perth is really the base for exploring the whole surf coast between Margaret River in the south and Lancelin further north.
- Harbour Surf – A very cool surf emporium in Freemantle that stocks everything from Rusty to Pistol surf to Vissla suits, Harbour Surf is a reliable go-to for both gear and surf fashion on the way to the southern beaches.
- Hollow Surf Shop – Hollow Surf Shop is a slick place just off the Hillary’s Boardwalk where you can get surf-skate, bodyboards, branded surf gear and loads more. This one’s a better stop for those heading to the northern beaches.
- Murray Smith Surf Warehouse – Nicely placed in the middle of north Perth on the way to Trigg Beach, Murray Smith Surf Warehouse is a good place to chase a bargain. It’s more of an outlet store with stacks of factory foamies and softtops, last-season wetsuits, and plenty of clothing.
Where to eat and drink in Perth?
If there’s one thing that Perth does FANTASTICALLY well, it’s surf-side, neighborhood eateries.
Yep, the swell might struggle around the town center but the menus don’t.
Some of our favorites are…
- Canteen Trigg – Anyone surfing up on Trigg Beach can’t miss out on a coffee from Canteen Trigg. It’s towards the point at the north end of the bay and they actually do a lot more than just mochas – think avocado and haloumi toast breakies, sweet cakes, and fish and chips with tartar.
- Drift Kitchen – Breako doesn’t get better than Drift. A couple of blocks in from Scarborough Beach, they do haloumi wraps and fine flat whites. Perth hipster 101 but you love it don’t ya?
- The Little Bay – Super stylish spot for brunch through to cocktails. Wicker egg chairs, salty decks, minimalist interiors. One of the best on the Perth beaches if you ask us. Just north of Trigg on Marmion Beach.
- The Lookout Bar Bowling Bites – Transport yourself back to Miami circa 1956 with this uber-retro bowling bar. Good beers, hearty pub grub, and some lanes to roll in while the waves are struggling on Scarborough Beach.
- Skol – THE best suburban cafe of Scarborough. A Scandi vibe plus Aussie-Mediterranean mashup menus and never-want-to-leave wine lists.
What to do in Perth when you’re not surfing?
When it’s flat, you’ll definitely want to go sightseeing in Perth’s big CBD, walk the parks along the Swan River, and tour artsy areas like Subiaco. For tours and day-trips, we’d highly reccommend…
- Rottnest Island tour – Silky white beaches and scrublands that are home to everyone’s favorite Aussie creature: The quokka – that’s what awaits on gorgeous Rottnest. A trip here is a must if the sun is shining. The best way to see the island is on two wheels – hence why we reccommend that day-long tour, which includes a comfy ferry transfer from Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth.
- Swan Valley Wine Tour – We’re wine heads so this VIP tour of Perth’s premier growing region was an obvious pick. For just $120 per person you get lunch, a wine tasting at five different wineries, all your transport, and a guided vineyard tour. It’s exceptional value and means you can drink without worrying about how you get home.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
