Cottesloe gets all the Instagram hype and tour group buses but honestly City Beach destroys it for actual swimming and surfing. Cottesloe's constantly packed with cruise ship tourists, waves are pretty average when there's decent swell, and snorkeling near the groyne is honestly meh with poor visibility most days.

City Beach has way calmer water for families with kids, better surf breaks when swells hit 3-4 feet, plus the coastal walk to Floreat Beach is absolutely beautiful. Catch bus 990 from Perth Underground Platform 2 — 40-minute ride direct to beachfront. Parking's free which is rad because Cottesloe charges through the roof.

Whale spotting season runs August-October with southern right whales cruising past early mornings if you're lucky enough. The surf break at City Beach northern end handles bigger swells way better than Cottesloe's reform waves.

For snorkeling skip both beaches and hit Scarborough rock pools at the southern end near Brighton Road. These natural tidal pools have way more interesting marine life than Cottesloe's rocks and they're usually completely empty. Water stays warmer longer too because of the rock formations.