Hamelin Bay beach, WA: Wild stingrays in Margaret River
Hamelin Bay in the Margaret River region is a reliable spot for seeing wild stingrays in Western Australia. The Hamelin Bay stingrays hang around in the shallows.
Can stingrays kill?
Stingrays have developed a pretty terrible reputation after one of their number managed to kill Steve Irwin. That was a particularly unfortunate incident, as stingrays aren’t aggressive creatures.
They do, however, have a poisonous barb on their tails. If that flips and catches you in the heart, then you’re in trouble.
However, that is astonishingly unlikely to happen. Most encounters between humans and stingrays are gloriously peaceful, with mutual curiosity the overriding vibe.
Hamelin Bay in the cave-dotted Margaret River region, a three hour drive south of Perth, is the best place to see wild stingrays in Western Australia. For 40 to 50 years, the Hamelin Bay stingrays have been hanging out in the shallows next to Boranup Beach.
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The story of the Hamelin Bay stingrays
The story of the Hamelin Bay stingrays started when local fishermen would gut fish on the sand. The Hamelin Bay stingrays learned that they could get a free feed, and began to arrive whenever the fishermen arrived.
Over time, they’ve started hanging out in the shallows more regularly, associating the humans that come to see them with food.
These rays are not scared. They will brush against the legs of people paddling in the Indian Ocean. It’s also possible to bend down and stroke them. Their skin isn’t as slimy as you might imagine – it’s more a velvety sensation.
The biggest rays – smooth rays – weigh about 350kg and can be the size of a car bonnet.
9 Margaret River experiences worth booking
1. Wine tours. 2. Wine & chocolate tasting. 3. Whale-watching. 4. River canoeing. 5. Cave tours to Lake Cave, Ngilgi Cave, Jewel Cave and Mammoth Caves. 6. Nature and culture tour. 7. Surfing lesson. 8. Stand-up paddleboarding. 9. Coffee discovery experience.
Where is Hamelin Bay, WA?
The beach at Hamelin Bay would be fantastic irrespective of the rays. 34km south of the WA town of Margaret River, near Australia’s south-western tip, Hamelin Bay is all white sand and turquoise water. But the stingrays give an extra motivation to visit, and while locals know all about them, overseas visitors rarely do. Hamelin Bay still feels like one of those special spots that you can enjoy while the masses are sticking to a well-trodden route.
Other Margaret River region beaches include Boranup Beach, Eagle Bay, Injidup Beach, Meelup Beach, Prevelly Beach and Smiths Beach. For more Western Australian beaches, visit the Australian Beach Guide.
Why you should stay in the town of Margaret River
There are plenty of great places to stay in the Margaret River region. But stay in the town itself has one massive advantage – you can walk to the bars and restaurants in the evening after a day’s wine-tasting.
If you’d like to avoid driving in the evening, these are the best accommodation options in the town of Margaret River.
- For apartments with a pool (honestly, this is the best choice): Margarets In Town.
- For chalets by the river: Riverview Tourist Park.
- For a centrally-located motel: Margaret River Motel.
- For a bit more style: Prideau’s of Margaret River.
More Western Australia wildlife encounters
Helmet-diving from Busselton Jetty
Woylie-watching tours near Margaret River
The famous quokka island in Australia.