Ultimate Guide to the Hamelin Bay Stingrays

Located on the southwest coast of Western Australia, Hamelin Bay is home to some of the most beautiful beaches that WA has to offer. But that’s not the only reason it’s a tourism hotspot! Visitors flock to Hamelin Bay to meet the many friendly stingrays who call the bay home. 

Image of Hamelin Bay Beach with text: "Ultimate Guide to the Hamelin Bay Stingrays" on top
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If you’re looking to get out into nature and have a unique wildlife experience this weekend then Hamelin Bay is for you! This guide to the Hamelin Bay stingrays will give you all the details you need to have a great time at Hamelin Bay Beach this weekend. 

Why visit Hamelin Bay? 

Hamelin Bay is located between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin on the southwest coast of Western Australia. It’s a picturesque bay with bright white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. 

There are plenty of beach activities that can be enjoyed here, but the area is most famous for its wildlife. Hamelin Bay plays host to an abundance of sociable stingrays who come close to the shore to visit their excited audience.

Visitors even have the opportunity to snorkel and swim among the Hamelin Bay rays! 

Hamelin Bay Beach at sunset. There are wooden stairs leading to the beach to the left and ocean to the right
Hamelin Bay Beach Sunset

Getting to Hamelin Bay

Hamelin Bay is located 309km south of Perth. Hamelin bay can be reached by car in around 3 and a half hours. It’s an easy drive with plenty of spots to stop for food, fuel or to stretch the legs along the way. 

Alternatively, visitors can travel to Augusta by coach. Transwa runs a service from Perth to Augusta and Pemberton via Bunbury, which departs from East Perth Terminal at various times throughout the week. This journey will take around 5 and a half hours and Hamelin Bay is just a short drive from Augusta. Head to Transwa for the complete SW1 coach timetable

Types of Stingrays in Hamelin Bay

Protected by the Ngari Capes Marine Park, you’ll have the chance to frolic with the two types of stingrays that are found at the bay: the smooth stingray and the eagle ray.

The smooth stingray or the short-tail stingray, is the largest Australian ray which can grow to an astounding 4.3m! Dark grey and black in colour, these rays are commonly found in shallow coastal waters. You can identify them by their diamond-shaped body; and the fact that they are the friendliest and most curious of the two species found in Hamelin Bay.

Stingray in the water at Hamelin Bay
Stingray in the water at Hamelin Bay

Unlike its neighbour, the eagle ray is generally shy and cautious around people. Eagle rays can be brown, green or yellowish in colour and are recognisable by their diamond shape,  white spots and their pointed tip which resembles a bird’s beak.

Hamelin Bay Stingray Safety

Although stingrays are very docile, they’ve got a bad reputation due to the death of our beloved Steve Irwin. Stingrays only attack when they feel threatened, and there have only been three recorded deaths in Australia (including our Crocodile Hunter). Smooth stingrays have a sharp and finely serrated barb that will come out when provoked, and the coy eagle ray has a long tail with several venomous, barbed stingers.

Safety is important, and so is protecting our wildlife. Make sure that if you do decide to venture down to the coastline and peek a glimpse at these beauties, ensure you’re doing it safely!

Watch from a safe distance rather than venturing in to have a look, because you might accidentally tread on them. WA Parks and Wildlife Service recommends you look but don’t touch, keep your distance and don’t feed them.  

Although beautiful, wildlife is unpredictable so it’s best to ensure you take the necessary precautions.  

Stingray in the water at Hamelin Bay Beach with overcast clouds in the background
Stingray at Hamelin Bay Beach

Best time of year to visit Hamelin Bay 

Stingrays can be seen in Hamelin bay during most of the year, but the best time of year to see the stingrays is in the Summer, when the water is calmer and the rays are more active. 

The stingrays are typically found in groups of 4-10 and swim right up to the beach right up to ankle-deep water! They’ll normally be spotted swimming up and down the beach. 

December to February are the warmest months of the year in Hamelin Bay, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 23-24 degrees. 

If you want to see the rays before all the crowds rush in, visiting the shoreline between 9am-10am or in the late afternoon will allow for a more peaceful viewing. The old jetty or the boat ramp are a couple of popular places where the stingrays like to hang out.

Sunset in Hamelin Bay. Two children in the foreground and a fishing boat on the water in the background
Hamelin Bay sunset

What should you bring to see the Hamelin Bay rays?

So, what should you bring for this spectacle? Although it’s not quite as hot as some other parts of WA during the summer months, make sure you’re sun smart by wearing sunscreen and a hat. 

Other necessities would be a towel to lounge on the sandy beaches as you watch the stingrays splash in the water. Or fishing gear as fishing off Hamelin Bay Beach is quite popular!

For the more adventurous, bring a snorkel if you want to see some plant and fish life, as well as shipwrecks and caves which are located further out. 

Stingrays in the water at Hamelin Bay. There are 4 fishing boats in the distance.
Stingrays at Hamelin Bay

Other things to do in Hamelin Bay

If you prefer to keep your feet out of the water, there are still a lot of fun things to do with the whole family. 

Located near the Margaret River Region, there are an abundance of wineries that produce some of the best wines WA offer, such as Voyager Estate, Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, and more where adults can enjoy a cheeky glass or two with a delicious lunch.

For the more active tourists, the Cape to Cape Track is a 130km coastal walk trail which is a great challenge, taking between 5-7 days to complete. However, if you don’t want to walk for that long, there are multiple access points that allow you to walk the trail in smaller segments. You’ll come across the lighthouses at the capes for which the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is named.

There’s plenty of fun for the kids as well; cave tours that allow you to explore the pristine chambers and caverns of the southwest, with stalagmites and stalactites around every corner. Visit A Maze’n Margaret River, a scenic spot with a giant hedge maze, 18-hole mini golf course and landscaped gardens. And if the kids still aren’t satisfied, a trip to the sweet treats of the south such as the Ice Creamery and Margaret River Chocolate Factory will keep them happy.

Cave chamber in Jewel Cave
Jewel Cave

Hamelin Bay accommodation

If you’re wanting to stay in Hamelin Bay, visit the Hamelin Bay Holiday Park which offers a range of campsites and self-catering accommodation. 

However, if staying in a caravan isn’t ideal, Margaret River is the best place to stay while visiting. 

If you’re keen for just a day trip, folks living in Perth can enjoy a little over 3-hour drive to visit the beautiful beaches of the southwest.

Last words on Hamelin Bay Stingrays

There you have everything you need to know about seeing the Stingrays Hamelin Bay is famous for! Hamelin Bay is a great weekend destination and there truly is something here for everyone. Have you seen the Stingrays in Hamelin Bay? Was it a fantastic experience? Comment and share below!

When can you see the stingrays in Hamelin Bay?

You can see the stingrays in Hamin Bay most of the year, but they are most active in Summer.

What month are stingrays most active?

Stingrays in Hamelin Bay are most active in December to February.

Where are the stingrays at Hamelin Bay?

The stingrays in Hamelin Bay can be found around the Old Jetty and boat ramp.

Can you swim at Hamelin Bay?

Yes, Hamelin Bay is a great place for swimming, just make sure you give the stingrays space.

More weekend inspiration

If you’re after more outdoor activities in WA’s Southwest region, why not go fishing in Augusta or whale watching in Dunsborough

Go exploring the caves of the Margaret River region.

For more things to do close to Hamelin Bay, check out our guide to the best things to do in Augusta.

Or head up north for a road trip to Jurien Bay, check out the Jurien Bay Sea Lions or try out snorkelling in Exmouth.

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