Say hello to the most popular city beach Adelaide has to offer, Glenelg. You can get easy access to the shoreline here courtesy of a tram from the city centre, making it a much loved way to spend the weekend for local families. There’s little to no surf on offer, making it a great protected place to enjoy a dip. Plus there’s a heaving population of cafes, restaurants, bars, boutiques behind on Jetty Road.

Another family-friendly option (and another of the best beaches in Adelaide) is Brighton. Patrolled, and largely flat. This sandy stretch is welcoming of all ages and swim levels. There’s a resident jetty too if fishing is up your alley. Post-swim, drop by local institution the Esplanade Hotel near Jetty Road (yes, another) for a beer and some pub grub.

Seaside town Port Noarlunga resides about 30 minutes drive from Adelaide central on the celebrated Fleurieu Peninsula. It’s the kind of beach ideal for those craving solitude, and thanks to its neighbouring reef, is one of the most popular diving destinations in the state. It’s here you’ll find the Port Noarlunga Reef Aquatic Reserve, a 12-marker strong underwater trail.

Or Maslin’s as it also known can lay claim to being Adelaide’s first nude beach (this was back in the 1970s of course). These days the three-kilometre-long beach remains a haven for the clothes-optional in certain sections, but is just as welcoming of those who prefer to don a swimsuit. Regardless of your preference you’ll find this particular swimming spot one of the most naturally beautiful of Adelaide’s offerings.

Curved and windswept, Port Willunga is another of the best beaches near Adelaide. It’s certainly one of the most photographed, thanks to the remains of the former Port Willunga Jetty sitting front and centre. History buffs may also be keen to explore the nearby shipwreck, the Star of Greece which sank in 1888, sometimes visible on the low tide.

Best for those craving activities both on and off the sand is Semaphore Beach. This place has no shortage of things to do – the adjoining foreshore offers its visitors mini golf and more, as well as easy access to Semaphore Road, a haven of Art Deco delights, historic pubs, eateries, and vintage boutiques. And then there’s the beach itself – think wide white sands, and clear, flat water.

With zero surf to speak of and largely calm waters, West Beach is another of Adelaide’s best beaches, especially for those with kids. Expansive, it’s an uncrowded stretch to throw down a towel and set up for the day on the sand. It also neighbours the River Torrens Linear Trail, which tracks the idyllic Torrens River for 30 kilometres and offers an idyllic way to stretch your legs pre- or post-swim.

Another of the best beaches near Adelaide is Christies Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula, a sandy stretch that’s about 40 minutes from town. Considered somewhat of a hidden gem, the extra effort to make it here is worth it – this location is big on natural beauty. Picture sand fringed by Norfolk pines, and the iconic Witton Bluff (budding photographers take note). The small waves also make Christies popular for surf lessons.

Laidback Henley is another Adelaide gem, a more relaxed alternative to Glenelg or Brighton that is equally close to the city centre (15 minutes to be exact). Have a swim among the protected waters, wander the jetty, or explore Henley Square, a revamped precinct with green spaces, and plenty of open air dining. After a cold bev? Drop by sleek Henley House on the beachfront.

Moana Beach is found sandwiched between Seaford and Maslin Beaches is the seaside town of the same name. Picture a rugged outdoor wonderland where you can 4WD on the beach, camp, fish, and swim to your heart’s content. Thanks to being protected by surrounding cliffs, Moana also makes a great place to surf (or learn to at one of the resident surf schools).

Protected waters and a patrolled beach make Seacliff another popular Adelaide swimming hole. Plus there’s the fact that this stretch is equipped with ample foreshore parks to compete with barbecues and playgrounds. While you’re swimming or paddle boarding in these parts, keep an eye out for a resident pod of dolphins that frequent the waters. And don’t forget to visit the local watering hole the Seacliff Beach Hotel, quenching thirst since 1935.

Further afield, but well worth a mention is Aldinga. A clean stretch of coastline away from the bright lights of the city centre, this beach is heaven for the outdoors enthusiast. Walking trails are plentiful here – there are hundreds that can be found in the adjoining Aldinga Conservation Park. One of the most leisurely is the Coast Park Trail, a 5km stretch to Maslin Beach.

Sellicks Beach similarly requires a little more effort to reach, considering it’s just under an hour from Adelaide central. The point where the Mount Lofty Ranges meet the sea, this picturesque swimming spot promises plenty of space for visitors (and the chance to drive on the beach), which is why it’s become a popular destination for a day trip.

Surfers need no introduction to Southport Beach, where the Onkaparinga River meets the sea. Both waterways here are welcoming of swimming and fishing, with the beach itself popular among surfers of all levels (depending on the swell). Best of all, Southport tends to be quiet, no matter the time of year.

The less crowded cousin of Semaphore Beach, Largs Bay too boasts a long, lean jetty from which visitors can throw in a fishing line. The jetty also serves a practical purpose offering some rare shade, and where beachgoers tend to set up camp on hot days. A wide, shallow stretch, this beach can cater to all swimming abilities.