Watermans Bay is a small coastal stop with a useful combination of beach, playground, public toilets and barbecue facilities. It is worth considering when you want some time by the water without making the larger Scarborough or Hillarys precincts the centre of the day.
The cove is not a swimming enclosure, and its size does not guarantee gentle conditions. Plan around the beach as you find it, with the playground or a picnic as an alternative if the water is unsuitable.
| Plan your visit | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | West Coast Drive between Margaret Street and Beach Road |
| Good for | A short beach visit, playground time and a picnic |
| Facilities | Public toilets, playground and barbecue facilities |
| Casual visits | No reserve entry charge for ordinary casual use |
| Swimming | Open coast; check conditions, flags and current notices |
| Nearby option | Star Swamp Bushland Reserve for a separate bushland walk |
Where to start
The City of Stirling places Watermans Bay at West Coast Drive near Beach Road. Use that entrance area as the starting point, then check the beach before carrying everything onto the sand.
With a small group, a simple visit works well: beach time if conditions suit, followed by a snack or picnic near the playground. If you are meeting friends, name Watermans Bay rather than North Beach generally. The surrounding coast has several separate bays and reserves.
It is also different from Mettams Pool farther south. Do not use a Mettams photograph or its reef-pool description to decide what to expect here.
Swimming and snorkelling
The Council identifies swimming and snorkelling among activities at Watermans Bay, but conditions need to be assessed on the day. A small cove can still have waves, currents and difficult entries. Avoid presenting it as an always-calm place for young children or inexperienced swimmers.
Check SharkSmart alerts before leaving home and read local beach notices on arrival. Follow Surf Life Saving WA's beach safety advice, including using red and yellow flags where they are operating. If there is no active flagged area, do not infer supervision from a nearby surf club or from other swimmers being present.
The City's year-round beach safety service includes roving coverage along its coast. That does not establish a permanently staffed swimming area at every bay. For a visit that depends on a supervised swim, check the day's arrangements before choosing the beach.
Toilets, playground and picnic facilities
Public toilets, a playground and barbecues are listed on the City's Watermans Bay facilities page. These make it possible to enjoy the foreshore even when nobody wants to get in the water.
Barbecues and playground facilities are shared public amenities. The hourly prices on the Council's booking page relate to organised uses and events, not a ticket to spend an ordinary afternoon at the beach. Larger functions may need approval, so check the booking rules if you are organising one.
Pack drinking water and keep enough flexibility to picnic without cooking. For visitors with access requirements, confirm the exact route from parking to the toilet, playground and sand. A facilities list alone does not confirm that all three have step-free access.
Add a bushland walk
The City's Watermans Bay suburb guide identifies Star Swamp Bushland Reserve as a major local natural area. It offers a different setting from the shore and can be a useful second stop if you want a walk away from the beach.
Treat it as a separate outing: choose an official entrance, follow marked paths and check any closure or fire-related notices. Do not assume that a coastal walk automatically leads through the reserve or that every bushland track suits a pram or wheelchair.
If your main aim is to stay beside the ocean, keep the visit to Watermans Bay and choose another beach only if the group still has the energy for it.
Getting there and nearby choices
Use the Transperth JourneyPlanner for the West Coast Drive and Beach Road area, checking both the bus stop and final walk. If driving, read local parking signs and keep entrances clear.
For a more substantial food and shopping stop, compare Sorrento Quay. For a reserve picnic with surf to watch, see Trigg Beach. Our northern beaches guide helps you compare the facilities before picking one base for the day.
Visitor information checked 25 September 2026. Check current beach conditions, access and reserve notices.
