Scarborough Beach,
where Perth meets the ocean.
Wide white sand, rolling Indian Ocean surf and the best sunset on the coast — Scarborough is Perth's favourite beach for swimming, surfing, dining and watching the sky catch fire every evening.
Perth's most loved stretch of the Indian Ocean
Scarborough Beach is the heart of Perth's Sunset Coast, on the western edge of Perth's northern suburbs. Locals will tell you it has the best white sand surf beach in the world — and once you've watched the sun drop into the Indian Ocean from the beachfront, it's hard to argue.
The beach offers two very different kinds of surf in the one place: a calmer, safer inshore stretch that's ideal for children and swimmers, and a punchier sand-bar break further out for surfers chasing a real wave. Add a buzzing beachfront of cafés, restaurants and bars, and you've got a day — or a whole holiday — covered.
Things to do Scarborough
From dawn surf to midnight dancing, Scarborough keeps a packed calendar. Here's where to start.
Surf & bodyboard
Two surf zones in one bay: a gentle inshore break for beginners and kids, and a sand-bar break further out for experienced surfers.
🎣Fish the shoreline
Salmon and other catches off the beach and nearby groynes — a favourite spot for Perth's land-based anglers.
🏃Beach sport
Basketball hoops on the beachfront half-court, a skate bowl, volleyball and plenty of open sand for a kick of the footy.
🚴Cycle the coast
The Sunset Coast cycle path runs the length of the beachfront, linking Scarborough to Trigg, City Beach and beyond.
⛵Sail, windsurf & kitesurf
Afternoon sea breezes turn Scarborough into one of Perth's best windsurfing and kitesurfing spots — brilliant to watch even if you're not rigged up.
🎉Go out at night
Great pubs, clubs, live music and dancing along the beachfront strip once the sun goes down.
Surf & beach culture
A real working beach, not a postcard
Surf carnivals, bodyboarders tubed in the Trigg traffic, mounted police on the beachfront on a Saturday night — Scarborough has always had its own characters and its own rhythm.
Find your way here
Getting to Scarborough Beach
Scarborough sits at the hub of the Sunset Coast, on the east coast of the Indian Ocean and the west edge of Perth's northern suburbs. See it on the map of Perth, or get the full local picture below.
- By bus: Routes 400 and 408 run every 8 minutes in summer, just west of the Perth train line.
- From the airport: See our full guide to getting to Scarborough from Perth airports.
- Parking: Plenty of car parking is available right along the beachfront.
- Nearby beaches: Trigg Beach is 1.4km north (island and rock pools), and Brighton Beach lies to the south, with Floreat Beach further along the dog-friendly stretch.
- Conditions: Mornings are usually the best for calm water; sunny winter days (May–Nov) tend to be still and beautiful, while afternoon sea breezes bring out the windsurfers and kitesurfers.
Stay the night, or the week
Accommodation at Scarborough Beach
From beachfront hotels to self-contained apartments and budget-friendly backpackers, there's a base for every kind of trip.
Local life
Community, culture & a bit of history
The corner of Scarborough Beach Road and West Coast Highway has always been the social heart of the suburb — from rock'n'roll nights at the old Snake Pit to today's Luna shopping centre, built on the site of the amusement park where generations of locals once played.
Scarborough's calendar runs from surf life saving carnivals to Christmas carols by the beach, markets at the clock tower, and the Australian Rubber Inflatable Boat Championships — regularly won by the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club.
- Beach culture — the Snake Pit and Scarborough's rock'n'roll history.
- History of Scarborough Beach and the suburb.
- People — the locals, lifesavers and characters of Scarborough.
- Community groups, events and what's on.
- Natural environment of the beach and dunes.
Explore the whole site
Scarborough Beach directory
Every guide on scarboro.info, in one place.
Stay in the loop
Follow Scarborough Beach
Photos, conditions and what's on along the Sunset Coast — straight from the beach.
Scarborough Beach FAQs
Where is Scarborough Beach?
Scarborough Beach is on Perth's Sunset Coast in Western Australia, about 13–14 km north-west of the Perth CBD, in the City of Stirling (postcode 6019). Trigg Beach is about 2 km north and Brighton Beach is immediately south.
Is Scarborough Beach safe for swimming?
Yes, when you swim between the red-and-yellow flags. The beach is patrolled by the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club in season and by professional lifeguards. Watch for rips and follow lifeguard advice.
When is the best time to visit Scarborough Beach?
November to April for warm beach weather. Go in the morning for calm water and surf, before the afternoon sea breeze, and stay for the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
How do I get to Scarborough Beach from Perth city?
Catch the high-frequency 990 bus along Scarborough Beach Road, take the train to Glendalough or Stirling and connect to a bus, or drive about 20–25 minutes from the CBD.
What is there to do at Scarborough Beach?
Swim, surf, bodyboard and kitesurf; use the Scarborough Beach Pool (opened January 2018); watch the sunset from Sunset Hill; and enjoy the skate park, playground, cafés, restaurants and nightlife on The Esplanade.
Is there parking at Scarborough Beach?
Yes. There is paid parking in the Manning Street multi-storey and other car parks, plus street parking, but spaces fill early on summer days. Public transport or cycling is often easier.