Meet the site
Flinders Bay is Augusta's sheltered swimming spot, just north-east of Cape Leeuwin at the mouth of the Blackwood River. The Margaret River region guide describes crystal-clear lagoon water with a small jetty and stairs for easy access to the shallows, and a pontoon for swimmers who want deeper water, with swimming, paddleboarding, snorkelling and fishing, and local pelicans. Facilities include barbecues, picnic tables, toilets, showers and a car park.
Underwater it is a gentle sand and seagrass site with some rock, suited to relaxed snorkelling rather than scuba. Small fish shelter around the jetty and pontoon, and rays feed on the sand. A south-west snorkel guide also highlights Granny's Pool, a 100 m tidal pool with pale blue shallows near Augusta that is easily accessible and ideal for families and beginners.
The site suits families and beginners looking for calm water at the southern end of the Capes. For serious diving near Augusta, divers look to the Cape Leeuwin coast (Skippy Rock, Quarry Bay) or offshore to the SS Pericles.
The Ngari Capes Marine Park includes an East Flinders Bay sanctuary zone; check boundaries before fishing.
The coast around Cape Leeuwin is where the Indian and Southern oceans meet, and it is one of the most exposed shorelines in Australia. The sheltered coves and bays near Augusta are the exceptions, which is why local divers value them. There is no dive shop in Augusta, so bring filled cylinders from Busselton or Perth, and remember that the nearest recompression chamber is at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, about four hours' drive away. Ngari Capes Marine Park zoning includes sanctuary zones at Cape Leeuwin and East Flinders Bay, so check the maps before fishing or collecting.
What you might see
Seagrass fauna, small fish around the jetty and pontoon, stingrays, pelicans at the surface
Location
Sheltered lagoon beach at Flinders Bay, north-east of Cape Leeuwin and south of Augusta near the Blackwood River mouth, with a small jetty, stairs and a swimming pontoon.
Facilities nearby
Toilets, showers, barbecues, picnic tables, playground and car park; Augusta shops nearby.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
margaretriver.comprivateproperties.com.auen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.