There are over 50 Kangaroo Island beaches! All of them are scattered along the island’s 540-kilometre-long coastline.
Some have calm and turquoise waters, with the whitest sand you’ll ever see. While others are rugged and rocky, with dramatic and spectacular scenery.
This means that there’s a beach for everyone. Some are family-friendly, others with rough surfing conditions to challenge the most professional surfers, and everything in between.
And these are the best Kangaroo Island beaches… as rated by us! They’re in no particular order, we just love them for different reasons.
Check them out and let us know in the comments if you agree with our list, or if we missed something. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
But first… travel essentials for Kangaroo Island
🛏️ Accomodation: Book your stay in Kangaroo Island here!
🚗 Car Rentals: Rent a car at the island to move around easily
❤️🩹Insurance: Protect yourself and your loved ones with the best travel insurance in Australia
🎉 Activities: Check out some of the best tours in Kangaroo Island:
Our 10 Favourite Kangaroo Island beaches
We recognise the traditional owners of this land, the Ngarrindjeri and Ramindjeri peoples.
1) Penneshaw Beach
Best for: Families and those looking for a peaceful swim right after arriving.
Located near the Kangaroo Island ferry terminal, Penneshaw Beach is the first stop for many visitors to the island. A perfect place for the whole family to enjoy.
Just 600 metres long, the beach stretches around the bay from the jetty terminal to Baudin Conservation Park.
Walk the historic trail along the foreshore, try fishing from the beach or jetty, and admire the brilliant colours from vantage points on the walking tracks.
At dusk, take a guided tour to see the world’s smallest penguins return from the sea to their nests on the rocks near the beach!
2) Antechamber Bay
Best for: Fishing, swimming, beach combing.
The bay is a 4.2 kilometre-long stretch of more of that distinctive Kangaroo Island’s white sand we first saw in Penneshaw, with beautifully coloured aquamarine waters lapping its shores.
Camp in the park to take full advantage of the spectacular views across Backstairs Passage to the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Walkways on either side of the river lead to the beach, perfect for walking and swimming. In the distance at the bay’s easternmost point is the unattended Cape St Albans lighthouse.
Picturesque and protected, the bay and its amenities are so relaxing, you can easily spend your entire stay here!
3) Mouth Flat Beach
Best for: 4WD, adventurers looking for a true off-the-beaten-path experience.
Mouth Flat Beach is one of the island’s best-kept secrets. It’s a secluded bay that’s quite hard to reach, unsafe for swimming, and difficult to explore… Maybe it’s this rawness that makes it a personal favourite!
The Willson River meanders through the dune system before entering the sea at Mouth Flat on the Dudley Peninsula’s south coast.
The rough track leading to the flat eventually becomes a private road. The only way to reach the beach without trespassing is to hike a rough, overgrown, and undefined trail along the eastern river bank’s high cliffs, through the coastal scrub and the dunes.
Keep the river on your right and the dunes on your left for a couple of kilometres and you’ll eventually get to the beach. Watch out for snakes!
Untamed, pristine and totally deserted, Mouth Flat Beach is the ultimate natural attraction that even some locals haven’t been to. Seek it out if you dare!
4) Pennington Bay
Best for: Surfing, fishing, photography, wildlife spotting.
Pennington Bay is a spectacular beach, famous among surfers and fishermen. It’s surrounded by high sand dunes on the south-western coast of the Dudley Peninsula.
It’s known for its powerful swells and not for beginner surfers.
Vantage points overlook the beach at various locations, and watching the ever-changing ocean colours as the waves roll in can be mesmerising. Dolphins—and sometimes whales—can be seen from the lookouts too.
Several access points lead down to the white sand beach, where you’ll often be the only visitors. Don’t miss the surfboard storyboards on the tracks to the beach!
5) Seal Bay
Best for: Wildlife spotting, tours.
Seal Bay is a unique beach known for its large colony of ~1,000 Australian sea lions. The access is limited to guided tours (like this one), to ensure these beautiful animals are not disturbed by visitors.
While swimming is not allowed, a visit to this beach is a must. Guided tours are available, taking visitors right up to the sea lions in their natural habitat. The boardwalks provide stunning views over the beach and the wildlife.
Alternatively, you can take a self-guided tour and descend the long, sloping boardwalk down to a vantage point above the beach and watch the seals at rest and play.
There’s also a lovely accommodation nearby, Ecopia Retreat. We stayed there and can’t recommend them enough! Here’s our full experience staying there.
6) Vivonne Bay
Best for: Swimming, fishing, jetty walks.
The horror bushfires of the 2019/20 Australian summer burned right down to Vivonne Bay’s shoreline…
But with its calm turquoise waters and 6 kilometres of white sand, it’s still easy to see why the beach was voted best in the world in 2003, and still regularly makes it into Australian Top 10 Beach lists!
The U-shaped bay is perfect for swimming and picnicking – there are even BBQs and toilets, so you can easily spend the entire day here.
Explore the Vivonne Bay Conservation Park at the western end, fish from the jetty or snorkel the clear waters over the reef and meet the marine life!
7) Western River Cove Beach
Best for: Swimming, fishing, kayaking.
From the access road on the high, rocky cliffs above Western River Cove, the beach is like a small, brightly coloured jewel amidst craggy, glistening rocks.
Up close, the north coast’s rugged scenery is postcard-perfect with clean lines and intense colours. Watch out for the endangered glossy black cockatoos!
The Western River enters the sea here, and there’s a small beach on the river bank below a campground and picnic area. Swim in the beautifully clear water, or explore the rocky cliffs on either side of the bay.
Unless there’s a group of school children present, as there was during our visit, it’s a peaceful and picturesque place in which to chill out.
8) Snelling Beach
Best for: Swimming, surfing, dolphin spotting, picnicking.
Snellings Beach, located on the north coast, is a favourite for both surfers and swimmers.
It offers excellent waves on one side of the beach and calm waters on the other. It’s also known for its beautiful sunsets and regular dolphin sightings, making it a great spot for families and photographers.
Check the trees around the area too, as koalas are frequently sighted (and heard) there!
9) Little King George Beach
Best for: Fishing, exploring, photography (it’s different from other KI beaches).
Little King George Beach is one of the most secluded beaches on the island -it’s tucked away on the north coast and can only be reached by 4WD.
The only section that’s suitable for swimming is at King George Beach, but it’s surrounded by private farmland and not accessible to the public.
That said, the rock formations alone are more than enough reason to visit! The otherworldly jagged rock formations and smoothly pebbled shore couldn’t be further from the traditional white sand/turquoise water combo found elsewhere on the island.
While it isn’t a conventional swimming beach, it’s good for fishing and excellent for exploring. The colours of the oddly-shaped rocks in the late afternoon sun are spectacular. This little gem is definitely worth visiting.
10) Stokes Bay
Best for: Families, swimming, picnic.
Voted Australia’s best beach in 2023, Stokes Beach is an adventure to reach. The car park overlooks a pleasant stony beach, but it doesn’t look anything like the photos.
So take the narrow path east to what looks like an impenetrable rocky cliff, follow it through a gap in the rocks, squeeze through an even smaller opening… and, suddenly, you’re on a beautiful stretch of beach!
It’s absolutely worth the effort.
A series of natural rock pools near the entry and exit points near the cliff are safe for swimming and exploring. It’s a pleasant stroll along 300 metres of white sand to the other end of the beach where you’ll discover some unusual rock formations.
More epic beaches on Kangaroo Island (honourable mentions)
Even though these didn’t make our personal top 10, we can’t forget about these epic beaches:
Emu Bay. A favourite for many, with heaps of wildlife to spot (kangaroos, koalas, echidnas…) and a long long stretch of white sand and clear, calm waters to swim in. You can also drive right onto the beach!
Brown Beach. It’s fantastic for families, especially if you’ve got little ones. The water is calm and protected, making it perfect for paddling or snorkelling. There’s even a picnic area with BBQ facilities, so you can easily make a day of it.
Bales Beach. It’s one of the most accessible surfing beaches in Kangaroo Island. You can’t fish there, though – it’s next to Seal Bay and the waters are feeding grounds for them.
D’Estrees Bay. It’s a bit more rugged and offers plenty of space to explore. With its history of shipwrecks, it’s an interesting spot for history buffs, and it’s also a top pick for surfers and anglers.
Hanson Bay (4WD). Perfect if you’re after a bit of solitude and some fantastic surfing. The water here is stunningly clear, and the surrounding bushland and cliffs give it a remote feel. Just be aware that the surf can get pretty rough, so it’s better for more experienced surfers.
Redbanks Beach (4WD only). A hidden gem where you’re likely to find peace and quiet. The red cliffs that back the beach are stunning, especially at sunset, and the beach is perfect for a bit of beachcombing or just relaxing by the water.
Top Tips
Come here outside the peak holiday season (December to February), and many of the beaches will be deserted… apart from seals, penguins, dolphins, sea birds and the occasional whale out at sea, that is.
Kangaroo Island can have some surprising weather changes. Even if it looks calm, the wind can pick up quickly, especially on the southern beaches.
Also, some beaches like Pennington Bay and Hanson Bay have strong rips—great for surfing, but not so friendly for inexperienced swimmers. Always check the conditions before diving in.
Also, keep an eye out for wildlife—both in and out of the water. Dolphins are often seen at places like Emu Bay and Snellings Beach, but you might also come across sea lions and even the occasional penguin. Sharks do patrol these waters, especially around deeper bays.
So it’s best to stick to patrolled beaches when you can, or chat with locals for the safest swimming spots.
Did you know?
Seal Bay is home to one of the largest Australian sea lion colonies, and these guys have been hanging out there for over 7,000 years! It’s one of the few places in the world where you can get up close to these endangered animals.
Emu Bay was once home to a significant colony of fairy penguins. Sadly, due to predators like feral cats and increasing human presence, the population has dwindled.
Conservation efforts are in place to protect what remains of the penguin population, and every now and then, visitors still get lucky and spot these little guys near the jetty.
FAQs
What is not allowed on Kangaroo Island?
You can’t bring honey, potatoes, or certain plants because they may carry dangerous diseases that could seriously damage the environment of the island. Rabbits and foxes are not allowed either.
The bottom line
It’s tough to narrow down the best Kangaroo Island beaches because they’re all spectacular in their own way. It really comes down to what you’re looking for – surfing? Swimming? Wildlife spotting? There’s a perfect spot for everyone!
Whether you’re ready to catch waves at Pennington Bay, have a peaceful swim at Stokes Bay, or get up close with sea lions at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island’s coastline has it all.
With over 50 beaches to explore, the hardest part will be deciding where to start. So tell us – what beaches did we miss? Do you agree with our top 10? Let us know down in the comments!
