Last Updated on 29 July 2026 by Ariana Svenson
If you’re looking for some of the most spectacular coastline in Australia, the beaches in Denmark, WA, should be high on your list. The beaches here are truly stunning, with white sand beaches, turquoise water, and hundreds of stunning granite rocks that give them a distinct look. That mix of wild beauty with pockets of calm spots makes the beaches around Denmark perfect for a swim or a lazy afternoon on the sand.
Denmark is home to more than one beautiful beach, each with breathtaking views and a picturesque setting that attracts visitors from near and far.
What makes these beaches even more special is the sense of space. Locals have long known that most of the year, if you head to the beach in Denmark, you will almost have it to yourself, and that still applies today. Summer on the South Coast may be the busiest time, but it’s still beautiful and very popular.
So whether you’re after something quiet or want to enjoy the sun, Denmark’s beaches will give you both in spades.
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Here’s everything you need to know!
The Best Beaches in Denmark, WA
When it comes to the best beaches on the south coast of WA, Greens Pool is hard to beat. Thanks to massive granite boulders that shelter the bay, Greens Pool has calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
A rock reef close to shore provides extra protection, making the area especially safe for children. The rock reef also offers opportunities for rock climbing and jumping in a scenic setting.
As a bonus, Elephant Rocks is just a short walk away, where giant stone formations resemble a herd of elephants wading into the sea. It’s no wonder Greens Pool is a favourite among families!
While Denmark has plenty of beautiful and more remote beaches, Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks are among the most popular beaches in Denmark, WA, and together showcase the unique mix of scenery that makes this coastline so special.
Beaches in Denmark, WA: Around the Town Area
Staying in town puts you close to great Denmark, WA beaches (like Ocean Beach and Light Beach) without needing to head far. Just a short drive will get you to scenic spots where you can enjoy the sand and water at your own pace, with each beach’s unique features or amenities to discover.
If you want an easy and convenient way to experience beaches in Denmark, WA, be sure to visit these places.
1. Ocean Beach & Prawn Rock Channel
Location: Ocean Beach 6333/Ocean Beach Rd, Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is the most popular surfing beach in Denmark, WA, and a popular beach for both locals and visitors. It is an ideal place to come and take in stunning views.
You have the Wilson Inlet on one side and the Great Southern Ocean on the other. It’s also the closest beach to Denmark town.
Flowing directly onto Ocean Beach is the much-loved Prawn Rock Channel. With its shallow, calm waters, they are kind of the “same” but have slightly different names and areas. The channel’s turquoise pools are a favourite for swimming on warmer days, perfect for adults to float in the deeper sections while the kids safely paddle in the shallows. Many locals bring a picnic and spend the whole day here.
There are also stunning views from Ocean Beach lookout, which is well-signposted just before the beach (turn left at Prawn Rock Channel up the hill). Here, you’ll have stunning views of the Nullaki Peninsula and sand dunes.
When you visit Ocean Beach, facilities include grassy picnic areas, toilets, showers, a Surf Club, and a large car park with direct access to the beach. Ocean Beach Cycleway/footpath links the shoreline back to town for an easy 8km walk or ride. This makes it simple to go for a swim or surf with a relaxed walk or cycle afterwards, without having to find parking again. Ocean Beach is also recognized as a popular surfing beach in the region.
BIG4 Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park is an excellent option if you want to visit Ocean Beach often. There are large powered sites, chalets and cabins. The park features a playground and mini-golf on-site, as well as access to camp kitchens and BBQs.
There are also plenty of good caravan parks in town, including the Denmark Rivermouth Caravan Park. Read our Denmark accommodation guide for detailed info.
2. Lights Beach
We also like Lights Beach, which is a really attractive beach (and dogs are allowed on the eastern side if you are with your pooch). It’s actually made up of three separate beaches: Eastern Beach, the main Lights Beach, and Western Beach. These separate beaches each have their own character, scenery, and vibe, making them popular with both locals and visitors.
Giant waves buffet the coastline at Lights Beach, and waves crash dramatically against the rocks, shaping the area’s unique landscape.
Note: If you have a dog, only the Eastern Beach is dog-friendly. That’s why it’s the Denmark locals’ fave place to walk their dogs!!! The beach is just outside the eastern boundary of William Bay National Park.
The carpark and toilets at Lights Beach were recently renovated, and it’s looking very smart! Walking and biking trails like the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail also pass through the carpark and along the coast, making it very easy for everyone to explore the beaches, head along the dunes, or continue to nearby attractions like the Wind Farm on the WOW Wilderness Trail.
A long curving path, carved by the waves, is a notable feature of the area and connects to the Bibbulmun Track. Meanwhile, if you head west along the ridge behind the beach, there’s a paved walkway that leads to William Bay National Park, where a staircase takes you to the sand.
For something more relaxed, the Eastern Beach brings you to Princess Pool: a small rock pool ideal for swimming, with a headland walk offering spectacular views of the bay. If you want a picnic by the water, there’s some grass and a picnic bench around the area.
Make sure you also read our Denmark guide to discover the top things to do in Denmark (the most comprehensive guide you’ll find online).
Beaches East of Denmark (Heading Towards Albany)
Heading east towards Albany, the coastline opens up to other beautiful and quieter beaches. This stretch is part of the renowned Rainbow Coast, a scenic region famous for its winter rainbows and picturesque landscapes. With lovely turquoise waters, soft white sand, and rugged natural features, the beaches in this direction are well worth exploring.
A Note About the Beaches of Albany: Lowlands Beach, Cosy Corner and Shelley Beach are all halfway between Denmark and Albany on the Denmark-Albany coast. If you ask Denmark locals – or locals in Albany, they are all likely to claim these stunning beaches as their own. In reality, they are all bounded by West Cape Howe National Park and classed as Albany beaches.
3. Anvil Beach
Location: Nullaki
Anvil Beach is tucked away on the south side of the Nullaki Peninsula. The beach curves around a headland in a wide arc, so there’s plenty of room for walking or just finding a quiet spot for yourself. It even extends over a rocky headland on the eastern side, giving the area a more rugged feel.
The peninsula itself is a protected conservation area, forming the southern boundary of the Wilson Inlet. If you own a boat, the boat ramp is on shallow, sheltered water, which also doubles as a great picnic spot.
But really, it’s the views from here that are the main highlight. From the sand, you can look west past William Head and out across the Southern Ocean. If you go higher up, there are two more excellent lookouts: one over the Wilson Inlet and another directly over Anvil Beach.
To visit Anvil Beach from Denmark town, take the South Coast Highway towards Albany. Turn right onto Lower Denmark Road, and then right again on Eden Road. Just follow the signs for Anvil Beach and the car park at the top of the stairs. There’s plenty of parking, but no facilities, so it’s best to come prepared.
Meanwhile, to reach the Nullaki reserve, you’ll drive through a public gated area that separates the peninsula from the mainland. The gate is part of a vermin-proof fence designed to protect native wildlife, and it opens at the push of a button. From there, it’s a few more kilometres before you arrive at the beach, passing Padma Chalets along the way – also a great option if you’re looking for somewhere to stay nearby.
To help you get your bearings, here’s an excellent map of the area.
4. Crusoe Beach
Location: Hay
Crusoe Beach is well known as the location for the opening scenes of Breath, the Simon Baker film adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel. It’s also a peaceful north-shore inlet beach surrounded by dense bushland and trees, while the shoreline has coarse sand and rocky patches.
Just offshore, Crusoe Island is full of birdlife, and you’ll usually see pelicans flying overhead in large flocks. This spot is also home to a commercial fishing jetty, with species like pink snapper, mullet, and blue mackerel in the waters.
When visiting, be sure to follow signage and use designated parking areas. It’s easy to reach: just a short drive east of Denmark via the Great Southern Highway, at the end of Crusoe Beach Road.
Make sure you also read our Albany guide to discover more incredible things to do in Albany and nearby. You may also find our Denmark to Albany road trip guide useful.
Beaches West of Denmark (Heading Towards Walpole)
When you head west towards Walpole, you’ll encounter beautiful sandy bays like the famous Greens Pool. Sand dunes abound along this stretch of coastline. These beaches near Denmark are a world away from the crowds, perfect for those looking for a true sense of untouched wilderness and a peaceful escape.
5. Greens Pool
Location: William Bay Rd, Denmark
Greens Pool is one of Western Australia’s most iconic beaches, found in William Bay National Park. It’s one of the most famous beaches on the south coast of WA.
This gorgeous natural swimming pool has been a favorite for many years and deservedly so. Sheltered by a chain of granite boulders, the bay forms a natural swimming pool with calm waters and soft white sand. The protective rocks also keep out the powerful Southern Ocean swells, so it’s a safe spot for swimming and snorkelling.
The scenery here is just as impressive. It’s a place where you can easily spend hours exploring, wandering along the shore, or simply soaking up the views. A short walk over the headland also takes you to Elephant Rocks.
We’ve even included it in our list of the Best Beaches in Western Australia.
Elephant Rocks
Elephant Rocks sits just a short walk away from Greens Pool, and is one of the South Coast’s most distinctive granite formations.
The massive oval boulders on the edge of Elephant Cove look like a herd of elephants heading into the sea, making it one of the most unique coastal sights in the Denmark region. It’s also a great spot for swimming or snorkelling, with calm shallows for kids and plenty to explore under the water.
6. Madfish Bay
Madfish Bay is just around the corner from Greens Pool. I think it’s enough to say that locals in the know swim at Madfish Bay in summer; it has the same incredible turquoise water and white sand you’ll find at Greens Pool, but with a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. Families often prefer it here when the main spots get busy.
Keep in mind that the waves come from two directions here, which makes the beach feel different every time you visit. A sandbar leads to an island amongst the rocks. The bay is a semi-sheltered lagoon in the summer, and in winter, the ocean swells crash around the island, creating a dramatic scene.
Madfish Bay is accessed via William Bay Road. Follow the signs and go past the Greens Pool turnoff. The car park is just a short walk from the beach, but please note that there are no facilities available, so be sure to bring everything you need for the day.
7. Waterfall beach
Waterfall Beach is very close to Madfish Bay. It’s named for its small waterfall that tumbles onto a white sandy beach and into the turquoise waters of the bay.
In winter, the waterfall courses across the heathland, pouring out over weathered rocks and down to the beach. But in the summer, the trickle of water and the contrast of the green heathland against the sand and ocean make the area look even more beautiful.
While not as sheltered as other beaches in the park, Waterfall Beach is still a good spot for exploring and fishing.
The unique feature of the waterfall cascading onto the beach, coupled with the beautiful scenery, makes it a popular destination for visitors. Rock pools near the waterfall are fun for kids to splash around in, and there are some interesting little channels to explore along the sand.
Once at the beach, it carves a channel to the sea. We’ve never swum in the ocean at Waterfall Beach with the kids, but they did play under the waterfall! It’s a lovely spot to stop for a short adventure or a picnic while taking in the scenery.
The waterfall is on the left side of the beach when you are walking from the car park. If you continue past the waterfall, you will be able to see Lights Beach in the distance. The beaches and rocks in between are rugged, giving the area a real sense of the raw coastline.
If you’re planning a trip to Walpole, make sure you read our guide to the top things to do in Walpole. You may also find our Walpole to Albany road trip guide useful.
Other Beautiful Beaches in Denmark – Heading Further West
Heading further west, the coastline continues to offer some gorgeous beaches. Many of the best beaches in Denmark (or really, near it) are quieter and less visited, making them perfect for a peaceful walk, a swim, or just enjoying the natural scenery of the Southern Ocean.
In winter, this part of the coast is also known for its winter rainbows a common and beautiful sight, with colorful arcs frequently appearing during the rainy season and adding to the area’s unique charm.
8. Mazoletti Beach
If there are a lot of people at Greens Pool and you feel inclined, you can always take a long walk around to Mazzoletti Beach. The walk passes some quiet coves and rocky headlands, giving you a chance to enjoy the scenery along the way.
This huge stretch goes all the way from Perry Beach to Parry Inlet, covering over 2/3 of William Bay National Park. It’s a nice way to see more of the coastline without feeling rushed, and you’ll often find spots that feel almost deserted.
To get here, it’s best to start from the Greens Pool carpark, then head down the stairs, turn right to the sea and carry on walking. Following this route will give you a real sense of the park’s size and variety.
9. Parry Beach
Parry Beach, or sometimes just referred to as “Parry’s”, is a huge, sandy beach at the far western end of William Bay National Park. The beach stretches all the way east toward Greens Pool, though walking that full distance is a serious trek.
Parry Beach is a key stop for walkers on the Bibbulmun Track, making it a versatile spot for camping, adventure, and just enjoying the coastline. It’s also a surf hotspot, with competitions held throughout the year. For boat owners, driving directly onto the sand is ideal for launching boats or simply setting up for a day on the beach.
Just behind the beach is Parry Inlet, a shallow estuary separated from the ocean by a sandbar. When rainfall is high, the sandbar can breach and create a channel to the sea. The calm waters are ideal for kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding, and it’s a good spot for crabbing and fishing if you’re after something a little quieter.
If you’re staying over for a while, the Parry Beach Campground is a large, well-laid-out site just a short distance from the beach, under the shade of peppermint trees. Remember that fees apply when using the campground.
Although the road through the campsite is excellent, there are no shops nearby, and there’s no drinking water provided. Bookings aren’t possible, so you need to turn up and hope for a spot; it’s especially busy during the main school holidays.
10. Hillier Beach
Location: Parryville
Hillier Beach is less than a kilometre south of Parry Beach along Parry Beach Road, just past the western end of William Bay National Park.
Stairs from the car park lead down to the beach in several spots, and you can easily climb a sand dune for even better views over the bay. Local surfers often catch good sets here when the conditions are right, but it’s important to watch out for rips, swells, and reefs.
Access to Hillier Beach is via a dirt track at a T junction just past the Parry Beach turnoff. The track is a bit rugged, so it’s not suitable for standard sedans, but 4WDs and higher-clearance vehicles can manage it without issue.
Fun fact: During his voyage to map the Australian coast in 1801, Matthew Flinders decided to name Point Hillier after Captain William Curry Hillier, R.N.
11. Boat Harbor
Location: Boat Harbour Rd, Parryville
Boat Harbour is a secluded beach located about 35 km west of Denmark, accessible only by 4WD. The initial part of the road from the South Coast Highway is fine for standard vehicles, but the final stretch requires a 4WD and sand driving experience. I don’t recommend driving here without the right vehicle and experience.
The beach itself is a protected bay with calm waters, making it perfect for families and safe swimming. Large rock outcrops on either side break the ocean swell, and the area is popular for fishing and launching small boats.
Boat Harbour is one of my family’s favourites, we used to camp here a lot in my teenage years and now as an adult the wild coast and stunning scenery is just as special.
12. Peaceful Bay
Peaceful Bay Beach is a small, quiet beach on WA’s South Coast. It’s sheltered by rocky headlands, keeping the Southern Ocean swells in check and making it a safe spot for swimming and snorkelling.
The bay also marks where Irwin Inlet meets the sea, with a sandbar that can breach after heavy rain. Compared to beaches closer to William Bay National Park, when you visit Peaceful Bay Beach, it feels more remote and less crowded – one of the most beautiful beaches in Western Australia.
This area is popular for fishing and 4WD adventures. Long stretches of sand to the west of the main bay let 4WDs explore more secluded fishing and camping spots, or you can launch small boats from the beach and try your luck from the shore.
Map of Beaches on the South Coast: Denmark Beaches + Nearby Options
Final Words: The Many Beautiful Beaches in Denmark, Western Australia
The beaches of Denmark are full of surprises, with qualities that suit every kind of visitor. From the well-known turquoise waters at Greens Pool and granite boulders of Elephant Rocks, to the quiet bays like Peaceful Bay and Boat Harbour, beaches in Denmark have something for everyone.
Many of these spots are easy day trips from town, with some doubling as a 4WD adventure that offer stunning views and a sense of seclusion. With long stretches of sand, rugged granite formations, and calm estuaries, Denmark beaches are ready to match your mood.
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