Western Australia · Attraction
Hamelin Bay
Wild rays in the shallows
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Hamelin Bay is a calm, sheltered beach about 30 minutes south of Margaret River town where smooth stingrays and eagle rays regularly glide into ankle-deep water to feed near the old boat ramp and jetty remains. The rays are wild animals that have simply grown accustomed to people, and watching them move silently through crystal-clear shallows is a genuinely memorable, entirely free experience available most of the year.
The bay carries a rich history as a busy timber export port in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ghostly remnants of the old jetty are still visible beneath the surface, adding an atmospheric quality to the snorkelling and wading experience. The smoothest ray viewing tends to be in the morning, particularly in summer when calm conditions make the water clearest.
Smooth stingrays are the most common species and can grow to an impressive size. Eagle rays, identifiable by their white spots and pointed wing tips, appear less reliably but are a spectacular sight when present. The area falls within the Ngari Capes Marine Park, and visitors are asked to observe without touching and to refrain from feeding the animals.
Beyond the rays, the beach itself is a beautiful destination, with clean white sand, calm swimming conditions, and a picnic area near the car park. Facilities include toilets and showers. Hamelin Bay sits roughly halfway between Margaret River town and Augusta.
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