Albany Beaches: Our 5 Favourite Beaches in Albany, WA
When we knew we would travel through Albany, we honestly didn’t have huge expectations of the Albany beaches. Especially after spending so much time around Esperance, we thought we had already seen the very best beaches Western Australia had to offer.
But Albany completely surprised us!
The combination of turquoise water, white sand, granite boulders and rugged coastline made us fall in love with this part of the Great Southern. Some of the Albany Beaches have now become our favourites in Western Australia.
This guide shares our personal top five Albany beaches, based entirely on our own experience. While there are plenty of beautiful beaches around Albany, these were the ones that impressed us the most.
➤ If you’re planning a trip, make sure you also read our complete Things to do in Albany guide, which covers all the highlights around the region.
1. Waterfall Beach
Out of all the Albany beaches, Waterfall Beach was our absolute favourite.
Located within Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, this beach somehow still feels like a hidden gem. Most visitors head straight to the nearby Little Beach, meaning Waterfall Beach stays surprisingly quiet.
Getting there requires a bit of effort. From Little Beach, you’ll need to continue along the shoreline and make your way over the (steep) headland. Depending on the tide, there can be some rock hopping and narrow sections, so we definitely recommend visiting during low tide.
But once you arrive, you’ll understand why we loved it so much.
Crystal-clear water, soft white sand and hardly anyone around made this one of the most peaceful beaches we visited around Albany. It felt like we had discovered our own secret little paradise.
The calm conditions make Waterfall Beach ideal for:
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Relaxing on the beach
- Photography
If you’re visiting Two Peoples Bay and Little Beach, it’s well worth the effort to explore Waterfall Beach.
2. Misery Beach
Despite its unfortunate name, Misery Beach was anything but miserable.
In fact, it was named Australia’s Best Beach in 2022, and after visiting ourselves, we completely understood why.
Among all the Albany beaches, Misery Beach probably has the most dramatic setting. The contrast between the giant granite boulders, turquoise water and brilliant white sand is simply stunning.
The beach is located inside Torndirrup National Park, making it easy to combine with other beaches and lookouts in the area. It’s also located near the entrance of the famous Bald Head Walking Trail.
And if you’re planning to tackle this epic hike, Misery Beach is a fantastic reward afterwards. There’s nothing better than jumping into the ocean after 4 to 6 hours of hiking.
➤ Find more information on what to expect when hiking the Bald Head Walking Trail.
3. Shelley Beach
Shelley Beach felt completely different from the other Albany beaches on the list. Instead of calm, turquoise bays, Shelley Beach is wild, rugged and incredibly scenic.
The drive down to the beach was almost as memorable as the beach itself. Winding through the hills with ocean views opening up in front of us, we immediately knew this place was special.
When we visited, the ocean was quite rough, so swimming wasn’t really an option. But that didn’t matter. What we loved most about Shelley Beach was the atmosphere.
The beach is surrounded by hills and the lookout is also famous as a launching point for hang gliders and paragliders.
Another reason Shelly Beach became one of our favourite Albany beaches is the camping area. While you can’t camp directly on the sand, the campground overlooks the ocean and has one of the most beautiful wake-up views in the region.
If you enjoy camping, photography, or simply appreciating nature, Shelley Beach deserves a place on your itinerary.
➤ Read our full Camping Albany guide for more camping options in the region.
4. Little Beach
No guide to Albany beaches would be complete without Little Beach.
Located inside Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Little Beach is probably – after Misery Beach – the most famous beach in Albany. And once you get here, you’ll understand why.
The water here almost looks unreal. The calm bay, white sand, and rounded granite boulders create one of the most photographed locations in the Great Southern.
When we arrived early in the morning, there was actually a wedding ceremony taking place at sunrise. It was easy to understand why they chose this location.
Little Beach is a great place to spend a full day, because it’s:
- Family-friendly
- Great for swimming
- Great for SUP or kayaking
- Easily accessible
- One of the best sunrise spots in Albany
There are toilets and a large car park, and it can get busy during school holidays and weekends. We found that visiting early in the morning gave us the best experience.
Even though Waterfall Beach ended up being our personal favourite, Little Beach absolutely deserves its reputation.
5. Goode Beach
Goode Beach was one of the biggest surprises of our trip.
Compared with some of the more famous Albany beaches, Goode Beach feels much quieter and more local.
When we visited, there was a small wave running, which added a bit of fun after spending so much time simply swimming and relaxing at other beaches.
Sometimes it’s nice to actually do something at the beach rather than just sit on the sand, read. So we really enjoyed getting in the water here.
Goode Beach also offers fantastic views across King George Sound and is only a short drive from Albany town.
Because the beach faces east, it can sometimes provide calmer conditions when other beaches are windy.
What about Middleton Beach and Emu Point?
Although these didn’t make our personal top 5 Albany beaches, they are still worth visiting if you have the time.
Middleton Beach is Albany’s main beach and is incredibly popular with families thanks to its easy access, nearby cafes and long foreshore walking path.
Emu Point is another local favourite, particularly for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and calm swimming conditions.
They simply weren’t our personal favourites, but that’s the beauty of Albany. There are so many beaches that everyone will find their own special spot.
Which Albany beach was our favourite?
Out of all Albany beaches we explored, Waterfall Beach was our number one.
It felt secluded, untouched and rewarded us for making the effort to get there.
Every beach in this guide offers something different:
- Waterfall Beach: peaceful and hidden
- Misery Beach: iconic and picture-perfect
- Shelley Beach: rugged and scenic
- Little Beach: famous and picturesque
- Goode Beach: relaxed and more local
Plan your trip to Albany
If you are planning a trip to Albany, we highly recommend spending several days exploring the coastline. Don’t forget to read our other Albany guides for more inspiration:
For more local information, hop into the Albany Visitor Centre for more local advice and guides.
The content on Bush and Bay is based on our personal experiences and opinions. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information, travel conditions and recommendations may change over time. We do not take responsibility for any decisions or actions made based on our content. Always conduct your own research and consult with professionals where necessary. Bush and Bay may earn a small commission from affiliate links, but this does not influence our reviews or recommendations. We only endorse products and places we have personally tested and believe in.
