South Australia’s best beaches

Family-friendly beaches

With its calm waves and clean white sand, Brighton Beach is one of the best metropolitan beaches to take the family to. The jetty is perfect for a stroll and the nearby shops and eateries on the main street offer some retail therapy and a place for lunch after your swim.

A little further afield, Port Noarlunga Beach is another favourite for kids, as the swells rarely get too rough. A short trip down the road you will also find the Jubilee Park and playground, which is sure to keep kids happy once they have finished in the water.

At just over an hour from Adelaide, Horseshoe Bay is located on the Fleurieu Peninsula in Port Elliot and is a favourite of many who frequent the area. The Flying Fish Café is located right on the beach and is a great place to get fish and chips and enjoy the view of beautiful coastline.

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Dog-friendly beaches

During daylight saving hours, most beaches in the Adelaide area allow dogs to be off leash before 10am and after 8pm. During non-daylight-savings, off leash is ok at all times. West Beach or Moana Beach are excellent options for you and your pooch, with sandy stretches of beach that stretch for kilometres. Hallett Cove Beach is another great spot for you and your dog to explore. Its mix of both rocky and sandy terrain will have your four-legged friend sniffing around and enjoying what nature has to offer.

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Surf’s up

If you’re keen to hop up on a board and squeeze some extra fitness into your day at the beach, then you’ll find the mid-coast beaches will best suit your style. Christies Beach, Southport, Seaford, Moana and Sellicks Beach offer good surfing for all levels and abilities while heading further afield within the Newland Head Conservation Park, Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach both get large swells from the Southern Ocean. Top tip: Waitpinga Beach is notorious for its rips, so be careful.

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Impress your guests

If you’re wanting to wow visitors from overseas or interstate, these beaches have you covered. Semaphore Beach offers white sand for miles, a lookout tower, a jetty, a vintage carousel and a waterslide complex. The Semaphore to Fort Glanville Steam Train also operates during the warmer months and is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. For those looking to travel further afield, Kangaroo Island boasts some of the best beaches in the country. Once voted Australia’s best beach, Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island is a 6km U-shaped bay with white sandy shores and waist-deep waters. You are spoilt for choice on KI, with Emu Bay, Stokes Bay and Snelling Beach also beautiful locations worthy of writing home about.

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Eats and the beach

Once you've finished splashing around in the water, many people find they have worked up an appetite and are ready for a meal. Glenelg Beach's The Marina Pier offers plenty of food options for dining while looking out over the water. Likewise, Henley Square, Henley Beach and Grange Beach have options to keep you happy: from fish and chips on the sand to cuisine from Italy, Greece and Asia. No matter where you end up, the beach is a great place to enjoy the great outdoors and be active. Keep sun smart by applying (and reapplying) sunscreen and wearing a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves. Health Partners members with extras cover save 20% on summer essentials at the pharmacy. Find out more >