Wangetti Beach, Queensland: Location, swimming & crocodiles

Wangetti Beach near Cairns in Queensland is the one that features in a million photographs from the Rex Lookout. Swimming is at your own risk – this is crocodile territory.

What is Wangetti Beach?

Wangetti Beach is a 4km-long beach in Queensland, Australia. It faces east to north east and famously features in many photographs.

Where is Wangetti Beach?

Wangetti Beach is on the drive from Cairns to Port Douglas along the Captain Cook Highway in far north Queensland. It is usually seen from the Rex Lookout at the northern end of the beach. This is a famous photo stop, but most people never make it onto Wangetti Beach itself.

Wangetti is much better known as the home of Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures – a crocodile farm turned wildlife park with impressive croc feeding shows.

If it’s the crocs you want, then you can skip the queuing hassle by booking a mobile-friendly ticket with instant confirmation online.

Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday

Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.

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Can you swim at Wangetti Beach?

It is not safe to swim at Wangetti Beach. However, some visitors decide the risks are worth taking.

Waves are small due to the presence of the Great Barrier Reef offshore, but there are no lifeguard patrols.

There are also plenty of marine stingers here in the wet season, and this is very much crocodile country. You can never be absolutely certain that you’re not sharing the beach with a croc.

9 Port Douglas experiences to boost your holiday

Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour – visiting three amazing snorkelling sites on the Outer Reef. This is the one for seeing the very best of the Reef.
Visit Agincourt Reef – with a cruise, underwater observatory and coral viewing in a semi-submersible. This is the best Port Douglas Reef tour for less confident swimmers.
Half-day Low Isles snorkelling tour – ideal for those with less time.
Daintree River wildlife cruise combo – see lots of crocs, then visit the cascades of Mossman Gorge.
Sunset sailing cruise – with welcome drinks and appetisers aboard a luxury catamaran.
Scenic helicopter flight – see the Great Barrier Reef from above.
Go fishing at a barramundi farm – with lunch included.
Aboriginal cultural walk – including bush tucker tasting and traditional hunting techniques.
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas – meet all manner of native Australian animals.

Why visit Wangetti Beach?

What you can do at Wangetti Beach is go for a long, scenic beach walk. There are car parks at either end, but there are rarely more than a few people on this far north Queensland beach.

Locals use it as a quieter alternative to the likes of Trinity Beach and Palm Cove Beach.

The other reason, of course, is as something to do after visiting Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Again, you’re best off advance-booking tickets online.