Meelup Beach sits on the calmer Geographe Bay side of the cape, which makes it a useful contrast to the exposed surf coast. The water is usually gentler, the sand is pale, and the surrounding peppermint trees give shade close to the beach.
It is popular with families and can fill on hot summer days, but outside the peak holiday crush it is a lovely swimming stop. Combine it with Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Dunsborough, and Sugarloaf Rock for a northern capes day.