Scarborough Beach, Perth: Can I take surfing lessons?

You can learn to surf at Scarborough Beach in Perth with the Scarborough Beach Surf School. Small group Scarborough Beach surfing lessons last for two-and-a-quarter hours.

Central Perth has improved dramatically in recent years. Yagan Square has become a new focal hub, while the once deserted laneways have filled with bars and restaurants. Big money has been spent on the banks of the Swan River, making Elizabeth Quay into a destination in its own right. With Kings Park, and its spectacular views of the city, next door, it’s understandable why visitors choose to stay in Perth CBD.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.

A massively underrated feature of the Western Australian capital, however, is its beaches. A series of them line up along the coast, a short bus or train journey from the city centre. The best known of these beaches is Cottesloe, largely because people head to the pub there after a swim.

Why visit Scarborough Beach in Perth?

scarborough beach in Perth, Western Australia — Learn to surf at Scarborough Beach in Perth with small group surfing lessons. Warning: surf not always compliant. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Further north, Scarborough Beach is arguably a better beach, however. There’s a clutch of cafés and restaurants on the road behind it, but the attention is always going to be drawn to the long strip of near-white sand. It’s backed by dunes, which give Scarborough an impressively wild look.

The Esplanade area at Scarborough Beach has undergone an expensive revamp, too. The multi-million dollar makeover has added a high quality skate park and a playground. There has also been a lot of landscaping and contouring to make it look like one big, coherent public space.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

The most important addition, however, is the new Scarborough Beach Pool. The main pool at Scarborough Beach is 50m long, has eight lanes, and it geothermally heated to 27 degrees Celsius all year round.

Unless it’s decidedly chilly outside, however, you’ll be happy enough swimming in the Indian Ocean at Scarborough Beach. Lifeguards patrol between the red and yellow flags, while the surf doesn’t generally get intimidatingly high.

Scarborough Beach surfing lessons

It gets high enough for surfing lessons to take place, though. It’s possible to learn to surf at Scarborough Beach with the Scarborough Beach Surf School. The school, which has been operating since 1986, runs small group surfing lessons. With four to six learners per instructor, the two-and-a-quarter hour beginners’ lessons cost $75. This price includes boards, wetsuits and sun cream.

If you learn to surf at Scarborough Beach, the major advantage is that the surfing lessons last quarter of an hour longer than they generally do elsewhere. That gives you more time in the water to catch the waves and get yourself standing on the board.