Swimming

Ocean beaches

Australia is famous for its beach culture and Surf Life Saving is an iconic Aussie institution. We're not going to reinvent the wheel here when their beachsafe website and free apps provide comprehensive general information and details of 3,500 beaches in Western Australia, many of them in our parks. That's not an error: 3,500 beaches! Note that most beaches in our parks are not patrolled.

Rivers, lakes and billabongs

Is there anything more refreshing than plunging into cool fresh water on a hot day? The places where we've indicated that you can swim in inland waterways are places you can access without damaging vulnerable river and stream banks, but that doesn't mean you can run right up and dive in - check first! Even on the hottest of days, water in shaded pools or fast flowing rivers can be icy cold. If you can see the bottom, remember that the water will not be as deep as it appears. If you can't see the bottom, then you don't know how deep it is and whether there are any submerged obstacles, so exercise extreme caution. If there are trees around, there are likely to be limbs in the water. Don't use or make rope swings - trees and their limbs can break easily and without warning.

For more information on how to safely enjoy activities in and on the water in coastal and inland environments see our Safety advice. Also see the advice on the Department of Health's Public Health website for healthy swimming.

'Tombstoning'

'Tombstoning' is a name given to climbing cliffs or rocks and jumping into the water below. The name indicates how dangerous this activity is - it has resulted in extremely serious injuries and deaths. Do not do it.