Hillarys: Marine Life, Marina and Kayak Trail

Marine life, harbour life and a kayak trail to Little Island give Hillarys a distinct aquatic character. AQWA focuses on the marine life of Western Australia, while Hillarys Boat Harbour adds a marina, dining, retail and leisure activities. The options range from calm waters at Marina Beach to a two-kilometre paddling route. When planning your holiday, the key question is whether you’re mainly looking for exhibitions and supervised animal encounters, time at the harbour or activity on the water.

AQWA: Marine Life of Western Australia

AQWA features more than 45 unique exhibits showcasing only the marine life of Western Australia. Daily guided talks, feeding sessions and interactions are included in the admission price. This gives you several ways to experience the marine theme: through the exhibitions, at a talk or during a feeding session and interaction. The AQWA touch pool is open for supervised interactions during the day. Children must be closely supervised at all times—a key point when planning a family visit.

The Shipwreck Coast area at AQWA also includes an underwater tunnel. The area, including the tunnel, is accessible by lift. If you’re weighing up different AQWA experiences when planning your day, the guided activities and access to this area offer practical guidance.

Hillarys Boat Harbour and Marina Beach

The marina facilities at Hillarys Boat Harbour offer boat-launching facilities, as well as berthing and mooring options for recreational and commercial vessels. The harbour also offers retail, dining and entertainment, along with family-friendly leisure activities. Walking paths, car parks, shelters and repair stations are available throughout Hillarys Boat Harbour. Those making the harbour’s offerings a priority can cater to a range of interests, from walking paths and dining to entertainment and boating.

Hillarys Marina Beach is located within Hillarys Boat Harbour. The marina protects the beach from waves, creating calm waters for small children. This is a clear contrast with the paddling route to Little Island: Marina Beach is about sheltered water, while the Little Island Kayak Trail is a route across the water. This gives you a choice between two different aquatic experiences during your stay.

Kayak Trail, Little Island and Boyinaboat Reef

The Little Island Kayak Trail is an easy, two-kilometre paddling route from Hillarys to Little Island. An accessible kayak launch platform for the trail is located near the boat ramps within Hillarys Boat Harbour. Little Island offers opportunities for swimming and snorkelling. The waters around the island are designated as a marine sanctuary.

Boyinaboat Reef is located nearby, within a protected or no-take zone. Thanks to its easy access and beauty, it is one of Perth’s most popular dive sites. The surrounding area therefore offers a distinct opportunity for diving, in addition to kayaking, swimming and snorkelling. The paddling route to Little Island and Boyinaboat Reef are different experiences, not a single route.

More Places to Discover

More destinations: Herne Hill, Halls Creek, Walpole, Oombulgurri, Cervantes, Port Kennedy, Metricup, Kronkup.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.