All You Need to Know About Cable Beach in Broome, Australia
Wanting to visit one of the most iconic beaches in Broome? Discover Cable Beach!
Cable Beach in Broome is known worldwide as one of Australia’s best beaches.
Spanning 22 kilometres along WA’s coastline, soft, white sand slowly gives way to calm waters, darkening to vibrant turquoise shades further out to sea. The striking afternoon light creates stunning sunsets that paint the sky.
Here’s how to make the most of Cable Beach in Broome,WA.
How to get to Cable Beach
Despite its wide, open spaces, Cable Beach is close to Broome’s town centre. Located just under 7km from Town Beach, there are several options to make your way there.
Cable Beach is just a 10-minute drive from the town centre if you have a car. Plenty of parking exists along the coast and a big car park.
The Broome Explorer bus is also easy to get to Cable Beach. This bus service runs on the hour, seven days a week during peak season, and Monday to Saturday during low season.
It stops at all the major spots around the town centre. The first service begins at 7:23 am during peak season and 8:53 am during low season. The final service is at 6:23 pm and 5:53 pm, respectively.
What makes Cable Beach so unique
The coast off Broome features some of the largest tides in Australia, and Cable Beach is no exception. The difference between high and low tide can be up to 10 metres, which creates a distinct personality at different times throughout the day.
Low tide provides the best time to experience the full majesty of the beach. The water recedes hundreds of metres with its low, gentle slope and low tide at Cable Beach. It exposes rocks, reefs, and, if you’re lucky, hidden tracks of ancient dinosaurs that used to roam the land.
High tide, or just off high tide, is the best time to swim, as the placid water is much closer to the dunes.
The best things to do at Cable Beach
Disconnect and enjoy the beach
With its serene blue water, soft sand, and endless horizon, Cable Beach is perfect for a long, lazy holiday. The beautiful, warm water is perfect for swimming, and flat, crystal-clear conditions provide exquisite snorkelling opportunities.
If you’re looking to spend the day, Beach Hut Broome provides a range of beach equipment for hire. From umbrellas and sun lounges to surfboards and stand-up paddleboards, they’ve got your beach needs covered.
You can find showers, public toilets, and ample parking near Cable Beach House, so you don’t have to go far.
Cable Beach camel train rides
Camels silhouetted against the sunset is an iconic Cable Beach image and a unique experience.
Several operators provide camel tours along Cable Beach, offering morning, afternoon, and sunset camel rides.
Enjoy a leisurely ride along the beach, where you can see the dunes, cliffs, and water from a different view.
Four-wheel driving
With its flat, open expanse of sand, driving on the beach is a popular pastime.
A vehicle access ramp just off Cable Beach Road West, north of the rocks, takes you onto the beach. You can drive for miles along the sand and next to the surf—it’s a truly exhilarating ride.
You should only do this during low tide when the sea recedes further.
Step back in time
Gantheaume Point is at the southern end of Cable Beach. It has many fossilised dinosaur footprints that are over 130 million years old.
An awe-inspiring sight awaits, and you can find the tracks of various dinosaurs. You might even see the gigantic 1.7-metre wide footprint of an enormous sauropod, a size that has to be seen to be believed.
Part of the magic of the Gantheaume Point dinosaur footprints is that they can only be seen at extremely low tide. During this time, you can wander out to the rocks and poke around, so be sure to check the tide charts before going to see them.
When is the best time to visit Cable Beach
Cable Beach is stunning to visit in any season.
The best time to visit is from May to October. This is the dry season. The weather is mild, and the waters are calm.
Even though it can get busy, the sheer size of the beach means there’s space for everyone. It’s also the best time for swimming.
During the wet season, locals advise not to swim at the beach as box jellyfish and Irukandji tend to inhabit the waters—these sea creatures can both deal a painful and potentially deadly sting.
If you want to know more about the best time to visit Broome, we’ve covered it in depth here.
Plan your visit to Cable Beach
Visiting Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia, is an unforgettable experience, with something everyone can enjoy.
And when you’re starting to plan your Cable Beach itinerary, the Continental Hotel is the perfect place to stay.
Located in the heart of town and just minutes from the turquoise waters of Cable Beach, we make it easy for you to kick back, relax, and soak up the sun and sea that make Broome so unique.
Book your room today.
