The best beaches in the Southwest

When the sun is shining and the air is still and warm, where do you dream of being? Me, well I dream of being at a beautiful beach, soaking in the sun on the sand, getting that sun kissed tan that so many people crave to have then cooling off in the ocean. Fishermen may dream of casting a line and getting a personal best catch off the beach, a mighty big pink snapper or several whiting perhaps. When the conditions are right surfers may want to rush off from their daily grind and catch a few waves or perhaps you’re not interested in getting wet and simply just want to enjoy the views and hope to catch a glimpse of some marine life thriving and living wild and free.

No matter what your hopes and anticipations are, here in Australia’s Southwest you will find there is more than 1000km of awe-inspiring coastline with a significant number of bays and beaches that will help you make your beach dreams come true. Here’s my list of some of the best beaches in the Southwest.

Fishery Beach, Orcas Bremer Bay

This one is for the wildlife enthusiasts, have you ever heard about the Bremer Bay Killer Whales? Let me tell you a bit about them. Killer Whales otherwise known as Orca congregate 20 nautical miles offshore from Bremer Bay. You can join a tour from January – April with Naturaliste Charters who are the founders of what is called the Bremer Canyon Killer Whale (Orca) Expeditions. The expeditions are 8 hours long and depart from the Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, which is located at Fishery Beach, Bremer Bay. Not only is Fishery Beach a good location to join a tour but you can find some people fishing off the wharf and swimming in the beach. Fishery Beach is a 10–15-minute drive from the Bremer Bay town centre.

Busselton Foreshore, Busselton

Busselton Foreshore is an amazing hub for all, it is just a small stroll from the Busselton town centre and is home to Busselton’s newest brewery Shelter Brewing Co. The foreshore also hosts a great restaurant The Equinox, or if you are after some fish and chips to enjoy on a picnic table or one of the many great grassed areas then the Beach Shack also has a great menu. However amazing eats is not what this place is known for, it is the view of the world-famous Busselton Jetty, the white sand, turquoise water and a swimming zone with shark nets in place that helps make this place as phenomenal as it is. You will find families enjoying the chill atmosphere down on the foreshore, as well as professional athletes training, it is a destination for all and worth the visit.

Elephant Rocks and Green Pools

Elephant rocks and Green Pools are located within a few hundred metres of each other down on the Denmark coast. Elephant rocks are just like the name suggests, it’s a cove full of rocks that look just like elephants! Not only can you enjoy the view from above, but you can also make your way down the staircase into the cove itself, here you will find a nice stretch of sand to lay your towel out and head into the water for a refreshing swim!

Once you have finished admiring the Elephant rocks it’s time to make your way over to Green Pools which is just a ten-minute walk away. Green Pools is a must-see destination and is one of Western Australia’s most iconic beaches. It is famous for its turquoise green water, white sand and the large granite boulders that surround it. These boulders are ideal, it protects the bay from some of the harsh conditions that the Southern Ocean can provide making it an enjoyable destination for swimming for everyone including families. There are many varieties of fish here at Green pools including zebrafish, leather jackets and sea stars making it an ideal location for snorkelling. Both Elephant Rocks and Green Pools are easy to access, you only need a 2wd.

Hamelin Bay – Margaret River Region

Ok so Hamelin Bay ticks a few boxes, wildlife, fishing and swimming. Hamelin Bay has become quite famous for…. Sting Rays! Something you wouldn’t quite expect but it is a spectacle to experience at least once in your life. During the summer months when the Indian Ocean is calm, the seaweed has been cleared and you can expect to find many Sting Rays close to shore, generally between 9-10 in the morning, or later in the afternoon as the fishing boats arrive back in. The Hamelin Bay Sting Rays have a reputation of being friendly and curious and it is nice to be able to get a closer look at them by heading in the water, but it is always best to proceed with caution and please remember they are a protected species so please treat them with respect.

Some great fishing can be had in Hamelin Bay, you can either head out on your boat or cast a line from the shore. When fishing from shore the usual catch normally consists of herring, whiting and skippy, when fishing from your boat a bit further offshore you may be able to land yourself a dhu fish, pink snapper, queen snapper, kingfish and more! Just be sure to check out the local fishing regulations and don’t take more than your legal limit.

Which slice of paradise will you choose?

Australia’s Southwest is the region to visit for your dreamy beach day and how amazing that unless you are joining a tour you can experience all these slices of paradise for FREE! Whether you are in Bremer Bay Whale Watching, looking at Sting Rays with amazement, making out shapes of elephants out of rocks, or enjoying a locally brewed beer on the Busselton Foreshore just be sure to indulge in the fact that you are at one of the best beaches in the mesmerising Southwest.

Some of the Things You Can Do in Cancun

If you have booked yourself on one of the Cancun yacht charter rentals, you may want to know what you can do while you are there. Yachting is a whole lot of fun, but so long as you are in this beautiful region, you need to make sure you see as much as possible as well! Let’s take a look at some of the activities you can pick from.

Eating

Cancun has a wealth of restaurants to suit just about any palate and any budget as well. Try, if possible, to eat in a variety of different places so that you can try lots of different cuisines. Obviously, Mexican food is fantastic, but do also try some Mediterranean, American, and Latin American eateries if you can.

The Sea

Since you have chartered a yacht, it will come as no surprise to you that Cancun is all about the sea. Some of the activities besides sitting on your yacht and simply enjoying the surroundings that you can engage in include:

  • Submarining
  • Jet-skiing
  • Sailing
  • Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Deep see fishing
  • Body boarding
  • Surfing
  • Lying on the beach

The green turquoise waters in Cancun are like nothing you have ever seen before, so make sure you enjoy them!

The Jungle

When people think of Cancun, they rarely think about the jungle. But it is there, and it is fantastic. You are literally a stone’s throw away from various Mayan ruins that you can explore at your leisure. Or, if you want to be more adventurous, you can go zip lining, float on subterranean rivers, drive on 4×4 trails, and more. The jungles around Cancun are like nothing you will have ever seen before, and you can really be in awe of the power of nature.

The City

Not everybody likes to lie on busy beaches and soak up the rays, or float on the water on a yacht in a secluded yacht, or even be immersed in nature and history. Some people simply like the hustle and bustle of a busy city. If this sounds like you, then Cancun is the place to be! If you are in the Hotel Zone of Cancun, you don’t even have to venture any further to experience it all. The nightlife is definitely not to be missed, with clubs playing the latest and hottest music. Plus, you can even go celebrity watching, with Cancun being the favorite spot for many of the world’s richest and most famous.

Naturally, you may like the city but not be so interested in busy nightclubs. Luckily for you, there are lots of little hideaways as well, including smoke bars, secluded cafes, and ocean front clubs. Plus, you can go shopping and flex your credit card as much as you like (or as much as your limit allows!).

Clearly, a trip to Cancun will be the trip of a lifetime, with a huge amount of opportunities to enjoy yourself available. You won’t spend a single minute feeling bored, that’s for sure!