Scarborough Beach is Perth's main surf beach, about 14 kilometres north of the city centre along the Indian Ocean coastline. It is a bigger, bolder beach than Cottesloe — more exposed to the swell, with consistent surf that makes it popular with board riders year-round — and the foreshore has been redeveloped in recent years into a busy strip of cafes, restaurants, a waterpark, and a beachfront amphitheatre that hosts outdoor events through summer. The beach itself is long and wide, with the pale sand and turquoise water that Perth does so well.
The Scarborough Beach Pool is an oceanside outdoor pool right at the waterfront, one of the better additions from the redevelopment. The surf breaks are best in the morning before the afternoon sea breeze picks up, and there is a dedicated surf school here for beginners who want to try their luck. Weekends draw large crowds, particularly in summer when the beach can feel genuinely packed — if you want space and quiet, aim for early morning on a weekday, or head slightly north to Trigg Beach or Watermans Bay. Scarborough is reachable by bus from the city, or a scenic drive along the coastal highway.