Sorrento Beach is the ocean beach just south of Hillarys Boat Harbour. It suits a visit centred on the sand, the water and the grassy foreshore, with the harbour's shops and food nearby if you want to extend the outing.
Two details are worth sorting out before you go. This is separate from the beach inside Hillarys Boat Harbour, and the former Sorrento swimming enclosure was removed in 2020. Do not plan your visit around an enclosed swim here.
| Plan your visit | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | West Coast Drive, Sorrento, south of Hillarys Boat Harbour |
| Good for | An ocean beach visit with picnic space and nearby harbour food |
| Facilities | Toilets, showers and foreshore picnic facilities; check redevelopment notices |
| Swimming enclosure | Former enclosure removed in 2020; check City advice for any change |
| Mobility equipment | City-listed beach wheelchair and walker, subject to availability and access arrangements |
| Current planning issue | Surf club redevelopment may affect entrances and amenities |
Sorrento Beach or the harbour beach?
The City of Joondalup lists Sorrento and Hillarys Marina Beach separately. Sorrento faces the open ocean. The marina beach sits inside the boat harbour, near its retail and dining precinct.
If you are meeting friends, specify which side of the harbour wall you mean. A booking at a waterfront restaurant or a map result for Sorrento Quay does not necessarily take you to Sorrento Beach.
For an outing with different ages, decide whether the main activity is an ocean swim or time around the harbour. You can combine them, but allow for the walk, the current access route and carrying everyone's beach gear.
Swimming and the former enclosure
The City's Sorrento redevelopment FAQ records that the swimming enclosure was removed in 2020 following structural failure. The document discusses investigation of alternatives, not an installed replacement. Photographs and older guides showing an enclosure are therefore not enough to plan a visit.
Treat Sorrento as an ocean swim. Check SharkSmart alerts, look for current closure signs and swim between the red and yellow flags when they are operating. Surf Life Saving WA's Sorrento guide describes seasonal patrols, but the flags and patrol advice on the day determine where to swim.
If the water is unsuitable, use the foreshore for a picnic or head into the harbour for food. Moving to a different beach still requires a fresh check of its conditions.
What the surf club redevelopment means for visitors
The City's project page sets out plans for a new surf club and associated public amenities, parking and landscaping. Access points and temporary toilet arrangements may change as work progresses.
Check that page shortly before visiting, especially if you need a particular toilet, parking bay or step-free entrance. A target construction date is not confirmation that a facility has opened. The proposed new commercial space should not be treated as an operating café or restaurant.
Keep plans flexible enough to use a different signed entrance. Follow temporary paths and barriers rather than an old map pin through a work area.
Toilets, picnic space and accessible visits
Surf Life Saving WA lists toilets and showers near the club, with grassed picnic space and barbecues on the foreshore. Their location and availability need to be checked against the current redevelopment notices.
The City's access information lists a beach wheelchair and walker at Sorrento, available on a first-come basis rather than through advance reservation. Access to the storage facility uses an MLAK key or a PIN arranged through the City. A Changing Places facility is also listed at the northern car park.
Contact the City before travelling if you depend on those facilities. Ask about equipment availability, the route to the beach and any relocation during works. Do not assume that a paved approach continues over the sand to the water.
Getting there and adding a second stop
Use the Sorrento Beach entrance on West Coast Drive as your destination, then follow the signs for available parking. Harbour parking rules are separate, so check them if you move the car to Hillarys.
The Transperth JourneyPlanner lets you check the bus connection, final walk and return service for your exact entrance. Avoid relying on old harbour directions that refer to superseded routes or station names.
For food, shopping and the inner harbour, continue with our Sorrento Quay guide. For other ocean beaches along this stretch of coast, compare Mullaloo and Watermans Bay.
Visitor information checked 25 September 2026. Recheck redevelopment, enclosure and beach notices before visiting.
