Cable Beach Broome: The Best Guide
Cable Beach Broome is a stunning location in the Kimberley and home to one of the most iconic beaches in Western Australia. It’s a sight to behold, with the white sand and sparkling blue ocean standing out against the contrasting red ochre cliffs, which are particularly stunning around sunset.
This popular tourist attraction has plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained and offers many accommodation options, from budget to luxury. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Broome, Cable Beach is the place to go.
So, explore Cable Beach and all it offers and make unforgettable memories.
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Where is Cable Beach?
Cable Beach in Australia’s North West is in the Kimberley region. It lies on the eastern Indian Ocean in the township of Broome.
How to get to Cable Beach Broome
By Air
Visitors will fly into Broome Airport. However, there are no direct international flights to Broome, so you must travel via Perth airport, Melbourne, or Sydney.
By Road
If you have the time, you can drive to Broome via National Highway 95. However, the drive time is 24 hours non-stop. Consider the distance – you’ll need to spread this road trip over four to six days (longer if you want to explore).
Another option is to drive along the Coral Coast from Perth to Exmouth and then make your way across the top via Karratha and Port Headland. This route adds five hours to the drive time, but it is more scenic, with better places to stop en route.
This Perth to Broome road trip itinerary provides different routes and ideas depending on the time you have.
Broome Airport to Cable Beach
A shuttle service is available from Broome airport to Cable Beach, but it was cheaper for our family to get a taxi. The taxi rank is just outside the exit.
The Broome Explorer Bus is a good option if you travel light. It stops on Frederick Street, close to the airport and several places in Cable Beach.
Cable Beach Facilities
- Toilets
- Showers
- Changing Rooms
- Deckchair & Umbrella hire
Things to do at Cable Beach
Cable Beach is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an adventurous getaway.
There’s something for everyone, from swimming to surfing to a boat cruise or simply strolling along the beach. In the evening, head out onto the beach and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Here’s a list of things to do at Cable Beach Broome:
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Picnic
- Watch the sunset
- Walk along the beach
- Dine or have a drink at one of the restaurants
- Ride a camel along the beach
- Helicopter Flight
- Romantic Scenic Flight
- Boat cruise
- Whale Watching (in season)
Camel Rides on Cable Beach Broome
If you’re looking for the perfect way to explore Cable Beach, then a camel ride along the water’s edge is a unique experience not to be missed.
The beautiful white sand and turquoise ocean of Cable Beach make it an excellent place to take in the views while riding on this unique form of transport.
Experienced guides accompany each ride, providing interesting facts about the history of the camels, making it an educational as well as a fun adventure.
There are different Cable Beach camel ride options, with the one-hour sunset tour being the most popular. As this is one of the best attractions in Broome, tickets are booked far in advance. Book yours today, so you don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Read my detailed review of Red Sun Camels here.
🤩 Check Prices and Availability DIRECT here!
Broome Whale Watching Tour
Taking a Whale Watching Tour in Broome is an unforgettable experience, with memories that will stay with you for years. We loved every second of our Broome Whale Watching tour; seeing whales in their natural environment and getting up close to them was a magical adventure. The water was calm, making it easy to spot these majestic creatures.
Available during the whale migration (usually June to September).
🤩 Check Prices and Availability DIRECT here!
Helicopter Flight over Cable Beach
Take this 30-minute scenic helicopter flight over Cable Beach for a birds-eye view of this spectacular landscape. You’ll also fly over Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Gantheaume Point, and Chinatown- the colours are incredible from this vantage point.
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Romantic Scenic Flight with Private Picnic
To impress someone special in your life, treat them to this romantic helicopter flight over Willie Creek and Gantheaume Point. Land at a remote spot on Cable Beach and sit back to enjoy your appetizers and bottle of sparkling wine. Perfect for a proposal or to celebrate a special occasion.
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Gantheaume Point
Located at the southern end of Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point offers stunning views over the red rugged rocks to the Indian Ocean. This is where Broome tours depart for whale watching, sunset cruises, kayaking, and fishing charters.
One of the main attractions are the 130 million-year-old dinosaur footprints, which can only be seen at extreme low tide. The footprints were discovered in the late 1980s by local naturalist Paul Foulkes and partner Louise Middleton. To access the footprints, take the track past the signs to the dinosaur footprint cast. From here, rock scrambling is required, so it’s advisable not to take young children.
As the rocks can be slippery and the climb risky, a safer alternative is to book a tour like this Scenic & Prehistoric Boat Tour.
🤩 Check Prices and Availability DIRECT here!
Sunset Cruise
Setting sail on a sunset cruise onboard the 42-foot catamaran Ballena is the perfect way to end the day. With the beautiful Indian Ocean and Cable Beach’s white sand, Broome provides a pristine backdrop for a romantic evening out on the water.
Light Canapes are included, and you can purchase drinks at the licensed bar.
The boat was amazing, with plenty of room for everyone, whether you wanted to sit out the front, back, or up high. You can even be pulled along in the boom nets!
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Beach Dangers & Swimming at Cable Beach
Surf Lifesavers patrol the beach daily during the dry season but did we swim there? No. Despite reading reports that Cable Beach is safe to swim during the dry season, I still didn’t feel comfortable allowing our children to swim. Crocodiles have been spotted along Cable Beach, and I was not going to risk it! However, lifesavers close the beach if a crocodile is sighted, which is rare.
Cable Beach isn’t safe for swimming during the wet season. From November to May/June, the northern oceans are inhabited by Chironex box jellyfish and Irukandji.
Stingers can also be present throughout the year but are more prevalent during the wet season when the water is warmer. Irrikanji jellyfish inflict a severe sting that requires immediate hospital treatment. Surf Lifeguards drag the water twice a day during the dry season to check for jellyfish, and the beach will get closed if any are found.
The safest time to swim at Cable Beach is at low tide and always swim between the red and yellow flags. Pay attention to the lifeguards and signs, and never swim/surf/snorkel alone (take a buddy).
For full information on beach dangers in WA, visit Surf Lifesaving.
Cable Beach Optional-Clothing Area
Access to the clothing-optional beach is to the right of the road leading to the beach from the main car park. This is where four-wheel drives get onto the beach, and the camel rides take place.
Walk (or drive) to the large rocks – over the other side is where you are free to leave all your clothes behind.
Cable Beach Restaurants & Bars
In addition to the natural beauty of Cable Beach, a number of restaurants and bars provide visitors with delicious food and drink.
From laid-back beach and sports bars to upmarket eateries serving gourmet dishes, Cable Beach satisfies most people’s tastes and budgets.
Here are some of the most popular restaurants, cafes, and bars in Cable Beach.
Sunset Bar & Grill
Located in the Cable Beach Resort & Spa, this restaurant is known for its iconic views of Cable Beach. Order a local produce-inspired dish off the menu and enjoy it while you watch the sunset over the ocean. Sunset Grill has table service if you want a formal setting, whereas Sunset Bar has a more relaxed vibe.
Sunset Grill is open for breakfast from 6.30 am and dinner from 5 pm. Sunset Bar opens at 3 pm.
Cichetti Club
Cichetti Club, another Cable Beach Resort restaurant, serves modern Italian dishes filled with flavour. The dark highly-polished wooden floors, French-style floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden ceilings and beams, and candelabras provide an old-world ambience.
Reservations are required for dinner.
Kichi Kichi
This contemporary Thai restaurant at Cable Beach Resort serves modern Thai dishes and dumplings for dinner. During the day, meals like fish and chips, wraps, and salads are on the menu.
It’s a lovely spot to dine alfresco under the night stars.
Bali Hai Café
This charming restaurant features wooden floors and ceilings decorated with beautiful lanterns.
The menu consists of dishes using fresh local produce, like gold band snapper.
Zanders Cable Beach
We’ve only had drinks at Zanders, as it’s a fantastic place to drink while watching the sun disappear over the horizon.
Divers Tavern
Divers Tavern is across the road from Cable Beach and doesn’t have ocean views. However, it’s one of our favourite spots for a drink and a casual dinner. There are several areas, including the bistro, sports bar, and beach bar.
The Best Time to Visit Cable Beach
Peak season in Broome is during the dry season from around April to September. At this time, you will find accommodation expensive, especially during the July WA school holidays. However, the dry season is the best time to visit Broome when the skies are blue and the days are warm.
The wet season brings humidity, rain, and the odd storm. Between January and March is the monsoon season when you may experience a cyclone and flooding.
Cable Beach Accommodation Broome
Cable Beach has a wide range of accommodation options for visitors and most budgets.
The Billi Resort
Billi Resort, a four-star property, offers a tropical-style oasis featuring an outdoor pool and wooden decking. A selection of luxurious accommodation includes studios, villas, and luxury tents.
Blue Seas Resort
Blue Seas Resort offers guests a relaxing holiday experience in their Kimberley-style apartments, complete with a balcony or verandah. Guests can also take advantage of the resort’s amenities, like the two outdoor heated pools.
Bali Hai Resort & Spa
Bail Hai Resort & Spa offers a range of accommodation options, including studios and two-bedroom villas. Rooms have a Balinese feel with outdoor showers and are fully self-contained with their own courtyard and barbecue area. All rooms feature modern amenities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and kitchens.
Cable Beach Resort Broome
Cable Beach Resort offers modern and luxury amenities if you’re looking to stay in upscale accommodation. Located a few steps from Cable Beach, this 5-star resort provides guests with world-class facilities, including pools, gourmet restaurants, a gym, a tennis court, and a spa.
Seashells Broome
Seashells is 300m from Cable Beach and accommodates visitors in one or two bedrooms apartments or three-bedroom bungalows, each with a fully equipped kitchen. The tropical grounds have a free-form swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers, a children’s paddling pool, and gas barbecues.
Mantra Frangipani
Popular Mantra Frangipani resort is a 20-minute walk from Cable Beach and has a range of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. All the contemporary accommodation offers guests a range of amenities like air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor shower, a barbecue, cable tv, and loads more.
Broome Beach Resort
Broome Beach Resort was where we stayed on one of our trips to Broome, as we managed to get a good deal. It’s only a short 400m walk to the beach and Divers Tavern is around the corner. The Broome bus stop is just along the road, making it a convenient place to stay.
Choose from one, two, or three-bedroom apartments/villas.
Read our thoughts on this Cable Beach accommodation in our Broome Beach Resort Review.
Cable Beach Backpackers Broome
Beaches of Broome
Beaches of Broome is the most popular backpacker accommodation in Cable Beach, with a 4.5/5 rating on TripAdvisor. It offers guests contemporary budget accommodation just 250m from the beach.
Dormitories, twin, and double rooms are available, and all rooms are air-conditioned.
Cable Beach Backpackers
Cable Beach Backpackers offers ample opportunities to socialise with like-minded travellers and make new friends. They offer co-ed, and same-sex dorms with communal bathrooms, plus single and double rooms are available on request.
Pop into the on-site bar for themed parties, bar games, and pool.
Broome Caravan Parks Cable Beach
RAC Cable Beach Holiday Park
RAC Cable Beach Holiday Park is a highly rated caravan and holiday park 500m from the beach. The park features over 150 powered sites, 6 studios, 23 two-bedroom and 2 three-bedroom cabins.
As with all RAC parks, there’s a range of amenities like barbecues and the saltwater pool.
Cable Beach Caravan Park
Another popular campsite is the original Cable Beach Caravan Park, which has powered and unpowered sites. The 30m resort-style pool is a big hit with guests, and the on-site café provides a range of freshly cooked food.
Cable Beach FAQ
How long is Cable Beach Broome?
Cable Beach Broome is 22 km long.
Who owns Cable Beach Resort in Broome?
The Wen family company, Hawaiian, has owned Cable Beach Resort since 1999.
Can You Swim at Cable Beach?
You can swim at Cable Beach, but pay attention to signs at the beach entrance and lifeguards. Irrikanji and Chironex box jellyfish are more prevalent in the wet season when swimming should be avoided.