Flinders Bay is Augusta's sheltered swimming spot, just north-east of Cape Leeuwin at the mouth of the Blackwood River. The Margaret River region guide describes crystal-clear lagoon water with a small jetty and stairs for easy access to the shallows, and a pontoon for swimmers who want deeper water, with swimming, paddleboarding, snorkelling and fishing, and local pelicans. Facilities include barbecues, picnic tables, toilets, showers and a car park.

Underwater it is a gentle sand and seagrass site with some rock, suited to relaxed snorkelling rather than scuba. Small fish shelter around the jetty and pontoon, and rays feed on the sand. A south-west snorkel guide also highlights Granny's Pool, a 100 m tidal pool with pale blue shallows near Augusta that is easily accessible and ideal for families and beginners.

The site suits families and beginners looking for calm water at the southern end of the Capes. For serious diving near Augusta, divers look to the Cape Leeuwin coast (Skippy Rock, Quarry Bay) or offshore to the SS Pericles.

The Ngari Capes Marine Park includes an East Flinders Bay sanctuary zone; check boundaries before fishing.

The coast around Cape Leeuwin is where the Indian and Southern oceans meet, and it is one of the most exposed shorelines in Australia. The sheltered coves and bays near Augusta are the exceptions, which is why local divers value them. There is no dive shop in Augusta, so bring filled cylinders from Busselton or Perth, and remember that the nearest recompression chamber is at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, about four hours' drive away. Ngari Capes Marine Park zoning includes sanctuary zones at Cape Leeuwin and East Flinders Bay, so check the maps before fishing or collecting.

From Augusta town centre drive about 3 km south along Albany Terrace/Leeuwin Road to Flinders Bay. Park at the foreshore car park; a small jetty with stairs gives easy access to the shallows, and a pontoon sits in deeper water. The nearest full-service dive shop for fills and hire is Swan Dive in Busselton; there is no dedicated dive shop in Margaret River or Augusta, so bring filled cylinders.

Protected lagoon water, good for summer swimming and snorkelling. Flinders Bay faces east and south-east, so strong easterly or south-easterly winds bring chop; the Blackwood River outflow reduces visibility after winter rain. General pattern on the Capes and Leeuwin coast: summer mornings often have light easterly (offshore) winds before a south-westerly sea breeze, and long-period south-westerly groundswell can arrive on otherwise calm days; winter fronts bring big swell and north-westerly winds.

Check the Bureau of Meteorology swell forecast, not just the wind.

Enter by the jetty stairs, snorkel the shallows and around the pontoon, and return to the beach. Snorkellers should stay within easy reach of the exit point and swim with a buddy; scuba divers at these depths need no safety stop but should ascend slowly and surface near the float.

No operator; self-guided swim and snorkel. Nearest dive services: Swan Dive (Busselton/Port Geographe) for fills, hire, nitrox and charters; no dive shop in Margaret River or Augusta.