The best Adelaide beaches
19 FEB 2025
It doesn't get more quintessential than standing on the shoreline with your toes dug deep in the sand, your ice cream melting quicker than you can lick it. It’s even better when it’s just a stone’s throw from the city.
What’s the sum of a perfect beach day? Cracking an ice-cold beverage straight from the esky, reading your favourite novel under a shady canopy and diving for a wide ball during beachside cricket. It’s the simple moments that make a perfect day at the beach. Here, we don’t have to go far to find that beach day feeling – with our city beaches just 20 minutes from the CBD. Sprawl out on your towel on the sandy shores of Glenelg, or perfect your backstroke at Henley Beach. Simply take the tram, a taxi, or drive if you can, throw on your bathers and experience the best of our coastline with our guide to Adelaide’s best beaches.
1 / 6
Brighton
One drawcard you’ll find in this little shire is its sense of community. Strike up a conversation with a friendly local on the jetty as you cast your rod into the sea. Stop by Alimentary or C.R.E.A.M., where the resident barista will whip up just what you need. Or, dive into the deep with a local swimmer who understands the waves as well as their ABCs. This stretch of shoreline seems to attract water-loving artisans, from colourful shop fronts to the Brighton Jetty Sculptures that dot the esplanade or the annual open-water Brighton Jetty Classic. This little seaside haven has all the ingredients you need to feel warm and welcome. Writer's tip: If you’re looking to stay dry but still want a whisp of sea breeze, put on your walking shoes for a cruisy hour-long saunter along the esplanade from Glenelg to Brighton. Consider a post-walk frolic your reward.
2 / 6
Glenelg
Imagine finding time to breathe, even in the midst of the city chaos? Sounds like a juxtaposition, right? Well, that's Glenelg for you. It's an oasis, tucked away just minutes from the office towers and bustling laneways that define our CBD. Its charm lies in the family-friendly amenities that line the sandy beach. The sea breeze carries the sound of children chuckling from the nearby ferris wheel and the distinct smell of fresh seafood from the waterfront restaurants. Mosley square is always humming with activity. Just 20 minutes from the city — the last stop on the tram line — this seaside location offers the perfect blend of energy and serenity.
3 / 6
West Beach
There’s nothing like reminiscing about a summer’s day. Whether it be reaching for that last hot chip, as the orange glow of sunset blankets the water or laughing about the wave that caught you off guard. That’s the daily charm of West Beach — especially when it’s just a short stroll from the Discovery Park, a home away from home to those that love a weekend getaway. The 3km stretch of sand is the perfect escape from routine. So much so, it's often the first stop for visitors to Adelaide seeing that it's just 10 minutes from the airport. Don’t forget to pack your bathers in your carry on! Writer’s tip: If you’re looking to up the ante — step off the shore and you’ll be met with a golf greens, an aerial challenge course and The Big Wedgie.
4 / 6
Henley Beach
It’s here you’ll find some of the best seats in the house for people watching. Whether you’ve grabbed a chair in the square or sprawled out your legs on the cool blades of grass just below, there’s always something happening around you. The wobbling legs of the guy precariously balanced atop a paddleboard, too focused to notice that his friends lay in wait to tip him over. How the spokes of a bicycle can be played like an instrument, the air humming with each pedal as the cyclist whips by. The sticky hands and delightful glee of toddlers, as they run circles around the water fountain. The catch up that made it out of the group chat, a dozen friends cheersing their oyster shells to celebrate a long-awaited reunion. It's all in frame at Henley Beach. Only 15 minutes from the CBD, this Adelaide beach has a huge offering of eateries — from bottomless mimosas at Sunnyside to relaxed dining with ocean views at Henley House. This seaside town is bound to hum with beachgoers even on its quietest days.
5 / 6
Semaphore
Do you ever get a wave of nostalgia, like you’ve been blanketed in happy memories? That’s the feeling you get at Semaphore. Hop on a hand-carved wooden horse spinning around a 1928 vintage carousel before biting into salt and pepper squid inside what was once a palais bathing pavilion. It’s a place where the messy feels carefree — like ice cream dripping down your fingers as you play sideshows that line the shore in summer. With so much action, it’s surprising you feel so relaxed. But it makes sense, because just metres beyond the foreshore you’ll find turquoise waters and famously white sandy dunes. Writer’s tip: Every Easter catch a display of giant kites mimicking aerodynamic shapes and whimsical creatures — like dragons, octopuses and mythical animals — floating gracefully in the breeze, during the Adelaide International Kite Festival.
6 / 6
Port Noarlunga
After dancing across the hot sand, desperate to submerge your feet in the crisp water, look back and soak in this coastline’s beauty. Port Noarlunga, Christies Beach and Moana might be a little further out — about 40 minutes from Adelaide — but with the windows down and the perfect playlist, the journey is well worth it. Some beaches are perfect for a quick dip, but these sandy spots are made for lingering. Bring your beach umbrella and pull up a sandy seat or put your walking shoes on and explore the Port Noarlunga boardwalk. Looking to explore below the surface? Port Noarlunga Reef is home to some of the best snorkelling in South Australia, with colourful fish darting between the jetty posts, seagrass swaying in the current and colourful kelp forests covering the seafloor. If you want to make more than just a day of it, swap tales of your sun kissed day as you wind down at the Coast Motel and Apartments.
Looking to sink your toes even deeper?
It’s time to pack the car and go the extra mile — we’ve got memories to make! Explore long stretches of coastline that will leave you feeling replenished, using our guide to the top five Fleurieu Peninsula beaches.
Staying safe at the beach
For your safety, surf lifesavers patrol many beaches throughout Adelaide and South Australia. Check out these safety tips for more information.
