Government of Western Australia logoSharkSmart logo
Government of Western Australia
Acknowledgement of Country

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country, the Aboriginal people of the many lands that we work on and their language groups throughout Western Australia and recognise their continuing connection to the land and waters.

We respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of our regions and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

SharkSmart WA
About
Science
Shark activity
News and alerts
Staying safe
Resources
Sharks
Contact us
Download the SharkSmart WA app

Stay informed with near real-time shark activity alerts and beach safety information.


© Government of Western Australia. All rights reserved.

Illustrations @ R.Swainston/animafish.com

Privacy
Terms of use
wa.gov.au

Page Header

  1. Home
  2. Staying Safe
  3. Swimming
© iStock/Kylie Gillespie

Safety tips for swimmers

Stay SharkSmart when swimming in Western Australia

Notification systems

Safety tips for swimmers

  • Check the SharkSmart WA app or website for shark activity before heading to the beach

  • Take note of the BEN sign at your beach access point

  • Swim between the red and yellow flags, or within a beach enclosure

  • Always swim with a mate

  • If the SLSWA helicopter hovers and sounds its siren, exit the water quickly. Stay out of the water for at least an hour and check the SharkSmart WA app for shark sighting information

  • Warning towers may be present at beaches adjacent to the shark monitoring network. Towers use lights, sirens and audio broadcasts to notify beach users of shark activity

  • Don’t swim with a bleeding or open wound

  • Swim in clear water — avoid murky water, estuary mouths, harbours and canals

  • Avoid large schools of fish, dolphins, seal, sea lions and bird rookeries 

  • Never swim near fish cleaning areas 

  • Stay close to shore and avoid deep channels or areas with steep drop-offs

  • If marine life starts to behave erratically, leave the water

  • Stay alert of your surroundings. If you see a shark, stay calm, leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible

Safety tools

Read more
Beach & aerial surveillance
Read more
Beach Emergency Numbers
Read more
SharkSmart WA app
Read more
Warning towers
Read more
Beach enclosures
Read more
Shark monitoring network

Introduction

Always check the SharkSmart WA app or website for shark activity — reported sightings, tagged shark detections or shark attractants — before heading to the beach.

When you arrive at the beach, check for beach closure or warning signs. If there has been a recent reported shark sighting, tagged shark detection or shark attractant — for example, whale carcass — the land manager or surf life savers may install signage.

Help other water users stay informed by reporting shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600. Public sightings are vital for authorities to provide public safety warnings that may help save peoples’ lives.

Two people swimming underwater in clear blue sea, sunlight creating ripples on the sandy bottom.

Content Callout

Stay informed. Stay SharkSmart.

If swimming at an unpatrolled beach, please remember that Rangers are not always close-by to respond quickly to a shark sighting. Water users are responsible for their own safety.

Always check the SharkSmart WA app or shark activity map before heading for the water.

View shark activity map
A family enjoys swimming in clear turquoise waters with boats anchored in the distance under a bright blue sky.

Explore more

Read more
Keeping spring beach-goers safe with weekend helicopter patrols
Beach and aerial surveillance
Learn more
Notification system (from infographic)

Short description

Aerial view of a sandy beach with people sunbathing, umbrellas, surfboards, and a lifeguard vehicle near turquoise waves.
© Tourism Western Australia
Learn more
Two people swimming underwater in clear blue sea, sunlight creating ripples on the sandy bottom.
© Tourism Western Australia
A family enjoys swimming in clear turquoise waters with boats anchored in the distance under a bright blue sky.
© Tourism Western Australia
Read more
Nearly 1800 BEN signs supporting beach safety
BEN signs
Learn more
Read more
© iStock/Sahil Malhotra
Beach enclosures
Learn more