Hillarys: AQWA, Marina and Kayak Trail

Plan Water Experiences in Hillarys

If you’re looking for a hotel in Hillarys, you can choose your destination based on the maritime activities that matter to you during your stay. In Hillarys, the options range from exhibitions and supervised encounters with marine life to harbour facilities and water activities. For planning, it’s worth considering these separately: a visit to AQWA, time at Hillarys Boat Harbour and a paddle route to Little Island offer different ways to experience Hillarys.

AQWA: Exhibitions and Visitor Program

AQWA features more than 45 unique exhibitions. They showcase marine life exclusively from Western Australia, giving your visit a clear regional focus. AQWA also offers daily guided talks, feedings and interactions, all included in the admission price.

The AQWA touch pool is open during the day for supervised interactions. Children must be closely supervised at all times, so making arrangements for supervision is part of planning your visit. The Shipwreck Coast area, including the underwater tunnel, is accessible by lift. This means you can also take this specifically named area into account when planning your AQWA visit.

Hillarys Boat Harbour and the Beach

Hillarys Boat Harbour offers retail, dining and entertainment, as well as family-friendly recreational activities. The marina facilities include boat launching options and berthing and mooring options for recreational and commercial vessels. These serve different purposes: amenities for spending time at the harbour and facilities for boats. Parking, shelters and repair stations are also available throughout the harbour. Walking paths wind through the harbour, offering a different way to explore the area from an activity on the water.

Hillarys Marina Beach is located within Hillarys Boat Harbour. The marina protects the beach from waves, creating calm waters for young children. If you’d rather plan for a sheltered beach area than a paddle route during your stay, this offers a different maritime focus. The description refers to the calm waters at the beach; it does not make any claims about other swimming conditions.

Kayak Trail and Dive Site

The Little Island Kayak Trail runs from Hillarys to Little Island and is an easy, two-kilometre paddle route. You can swim and snorkel on the island. The waters around Little Island are designated as a marine sanctuary. There is an accessible kayak launch platform near the boat ramps within Hillarys Boat Harbour. This gives you the destination, route length and a specific starting point for the trip. While the trail describes a set distance on the water, the walking paths in the harbour offer a different option for getting around.

Boyinaboat Reef is located close to Hillarys Boat Harbour in a protected, or no-take, zone. Its easy access and beauty make it one of Perth’s most popular dive sites. Alongside AQWA, the beach and the paddle route, nearby diving opportunities offer another distinct focus for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Nornalup, Baskerville, Neerabup, Woodvale, Marybrook, Leeman, Thornlie, Woodanilling.

Go to the broader travel overview: Western Australia.