From the white sands and clear waters of Emu Bay to the rugged coastline and dramatic rock formations of Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island's beaches are your nature playground. The island's stunning scenery and rich biodiversity create an unparalleled environment that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and exploring.
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Day one
Penneshaw Beach
Penneshaw Beach (Hog Bay) is 600 m long and faces the northeast. There is a reserve and low foredune running the length of the beach, with toilets and picnic facilities at the western end, and a monument to the French explorers at the eastern end. A road backs the length of the beach, providing good access and parking.
The town's beach known as Hog Bay, was named after the fact that numerous pigs were released here long ago. Today it is a great place for a swim and for a picnic making it a great family beach.Antechamber Bay
Located on the north coast of Dudley Peninsula on Kangaroo Island overlooking Backstairs Passage.
Antechamber Bay beach is a 4.2 km long, northeast facing beach.
It is around 30 minutes on a sealed and unsealed road, and into Lashmar Conservation Park, where you will see the beautiful Antechamber Bay.
A favourite for beach lovers with a long sandy beach.Chapman River
Chapman River is an ideal location for swimming, fishing and birdwatching.
A great destination to visit with children, as they can play in the shallow waters of the river mouth.
Explore by canoeing your way along the tranquil Chapman River which flows through the Lashmar Conservation park and into the sea at Antechamber Bay.
A scenic picnic area and campground are also available.Brown Beach
Brown Beach located on the north coast of Dudley Peninsula on Kangaroo Island.
A beautiful sheltered and easily accessible beach suitable for families with children and great for swimming, snorkelling or fossicking for shells.
Adjacent to a camping ground with BBQ, picnic area and public toilets with showers are available.Island Beach
Island Beach overlooks Eastern Cove in Nepean Bay on the north-west coast of the Dudley Peninsula.
Fringed by dense bushland and home to wallabies, kangaroos, and Rosenburg's Goannas. A range of birdlife, including pelicans and the endangered Hooded plover.
Expansive sandy beach provides safe swimming.
There is limited access to the beach for boat launching and retrieval. -
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Day two
Red Banks Beach
The colourful cliffs of Red Banks, 15 minutes north of American River, rank among the island's best-kept secrets.
Red Bank does not disappoint, once the sun has set see the glowing orange sand and rock cliffs.
Please note: Facilities at at Red Banks are minimal so please take care, following designated tracks.Pennington Bay Beach
Pennington Bay sits on the southern coastline of Kangaroo Island.
It is a stunning bay that is famous for its surfing due to the powerful swells that roll in. Caution should be taken when swimming as the waves can be rough.
The landscape of Pennington Bay is stunning, with stunning bush land and wild life.
Just two kilometres off the main Hog Bay Road.Flour Cask Bay Beach
A long and variable bay ranging from high to very low energy beaches, with little development other than the access road to the southern half of the bay.
Swimming is not advised at Flour Cask Bay as it is wave, rip and reef-dominated and is unsafe, while the southern half of D’Estrees Bay is too shallow and dominated by seagrass meadows and debris.
For surfing, there are remote, energetic and dangerous reef breaks along Flour Cask and northern D’Estrees Bays, with the safest surf along the central D’Estrees Bay.
Reef fishing is along Flour Cask Bay, however access is difficult. -
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Day three
Emu Bay Beach
A beautiful beach on Kangaroo Island.
Emu Bay is just a brief drive west of Kangaroo Island's largest settlement, Kingscote.
The beach ranks among the most popular on the island due to its clear waters, long shoreline, and the fact it is one of the few Kangaroo Island beaches with direct vehicle access.
The unique Emu Bay shale geological formation is another signature landmark, while a small fishing jetty dates back to 1918.Stokes Bay Beach
The secluded beach at Stokes Bay, located on Kangaroo Island's serene north coast, is protected from the pounding surf by a giant pool surrounded by rocks. Voted Australia's Best Beach 2023, Stokes Bay is a surprise, and it all starts with the entrance that will keep you guessing.
This tranquil location can be found by walking east of the bay, follow the signs pointing to the 'Beach' and make your way through the headland of boulders before emerging to a pristine white sandy beach with a sheltered rock pool - perfect for swimming.Snelling Beach
Snellings Beach is the most visible and most popular on the north coast.
The North Coast Road runs right past the western end of the beach, providing parking and beach access, while a lookout on the road provides an excellent view of the entire beach.
The 660 m long, northwest facing beach receives waves averaging over 1 m, which maintain a 100 m wide surf zone dominated by four beach rips and permanent rips against the rocks at each end. The waves tend to increase in height toward the western end, increasing the rip intensity.
A 10 m high foredune backs the beach, with the Middle River meandering through the backing floodplain and exiting across the northern end of the beach.Western River Cove Beach
Western River Cove is one of the nicer beaches on the entire island, and well worth the winding drive out to the coast.
The 200 m wide, north facing cove is accessible by car, with a car park and picnic area located behind the beach. A foot bridge crosses the creek to the backing dunes and a track runs along the western rocks to the point.
The cove contains two beaches. The main beach is a 160 m long, north facing sand beach, backed by dunes extending 150 m inland over the valley flats. The small river flows down the eastern side of the beach, while the beach itself is moderately steep, with a narrow continuous bar.
Boats moor in the cove at times and use the beach to land their dinghies. On the eastern side of the cove is a 50 m long boulder beach, bordered and fronted by rock platforms and bedrock reefs.
Good fishing off the rocks around all three beaches.
Well worth visiting for a picnic, a swim or to fish. -
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Day four
D'Estrees Bay
D'Estrees Bay sits on the south coast of Kangaroo Island and extends from Point Tinline north to Point Reynolds.
D’Estrees Bay is located on the eastern side of the Cape Ganthaume/Seal Bay Park area and is a popular camping, fishing and surfing area.
The area also has a rich history including shipwrecks, whaling, farming and conservation.Seal Bay
As Kangaroo Island's premier tourist attraction, the award-winning Seal Bay offers visitors an unforgettable wildlife experience.
Set your own pace on our 800 metre wheelchair accessible boardwalk which meanders through the dunes to a number of viewing platforms. Boardwalk tour tickets can be purchased on-site at the Seal Bay Visitor Information centre. The boardwalk tour can be taken at any time while the park is open from 9am with the last entry at 4pm.
For beach access to the sea-lion colony, join a guided tour to learn more about the amazing lives of these endangered animals with an experienced guide. There will be plenty of time for photos as the sea lions shelter in the dunes, rest on the sand or surf in the ocean. This tour can be booked online up to nine hours before tour departure.
Seal Bay is a 45-minute drive from Kingscote.Vivonne Bay Beach
Vivonne Bay was voted one of Australia's top beaches, this was because of its clear water, cleanliness and privacy. Its long, sandy beach is ideal for picnics, sunbathing, fishing and surfing.
The beach at Vivonne Bay is also famed for its cray fishing and numerous boats leave and arrive at the town’s jetty with a fresh catch. There are picnic and barbeque areas set up at the jetty that are available for public use. -
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Day five
Hanson Bay Beach
This small, secluded bay sits along the south coast of Kangaroo Island just west of the famous Kelly Hill Conservation Park.
It is accessible via West River Road, which runs south off of South Coast Road. West River Road is an unsealed road, but like many places the harder it is to get to the more beautiful it is.
A popular surf-fishing area with a spectacular sandy beach with a walkway that leads you to the second section of the beach.
Hanson Bay is moderately safe for swimming at the river mouth.West BayWest Bay
West Bay is located within the Flinders Chase National Park.
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That's a wrap
For both nature lovers and adventure seekers, Kangaroo Island's beaches are a destination not to be missed. With mesmerizing scenery and unique experiences, visitors can create lasting memories. Plan ahead with a local bottle of wine and watch the sunset against the perfect beach backdrop for a truly unforgettable experience.
Top 5 Beaches to Swim Safely
Australia has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, and some of them are right here on Kangaroo Island. Not all of them are suitable for swimming though, so we’ve rounded up five of the best beaches on Kangaroo Island where the whole family can swim safely.
