Pinky Beach is one of the widest and longest beaches on Rottnest, lying beneath the Bathurst Lighthouse on the north side of the island and a ten-minute walk from the settlement. The Rottnest Island Authority describes a sheltered bay and an undulating coral reef that makes it ideal for beginner snorkellers, with waters that are safe and calm because the beach is shielded from southerly and westerly winds.

The reef is a low, rolling limestone platform with patches of coral, weed and seagrass, a few metres deep, which gives snorkellers a lot of ground to cover without the crowds of The Basin next door. Expect wrasse, juvenile bream and other small reef fish over the reef and stingarees on the sand, and look along the edges for crabs and octopus. The Bathurst Lighthouse, built in 1900, forms the backdrop, and the beach is known for sunsets and for seasonal whale watching offshore.

It suits families and new snorkellers, and it is a useful option for divers staying at the Discovery glamping site or the campground who want a quick, shallow dive without carrying gear far. It is not a scuba destination in its own right, but it makes a relaxing shallow shore dive on a calm day and a pleasant night snorkel close to accommodation.

Hand-line fishing is permitted here, so watch for lines near the rocks, and note that there are no toilets on the beach itself.

Rottnest's north-coast bays are the island's summer snorkelling grounds because they sit in the lee of the prevailing south-westerly sea breeze. The Rottnest Island Reserve bans spearguns and handspears across all island waters, so fish throughout the bays are relatively approachable, and the Island Explorer bus and flat cycling road link them all. The general rule is simple: in a southerly, snorkel the north side.

From Thomson Bay walk about 10 minutes (quicker by bike) north toward Bathurst Lighthouse; the beach lies beside the lighthouse and below Pinky's (formerly Pinky's Beach Club) and the Discovery glamping site. Walk over the dunes to the sand and enter anywhere along the beach; the reef begins a short swim offshore. Snorkel gear can be hired in the settlement; scuba divers must bring filled cylinders from Perth on the ferry, as there are no fills on the island.

Shielded from southerly and westerly winds (Rottnest Island Authority), so it is usually calm under the summer sea breeze. North and north-west winds bring waves and poor visibility. The beach also sees whale migration offshore in season and is popular at sunset.

General pattern at Rottnest: summer brings calm morning easterlies followed by a strong south-westerly sea breeze from late morning, so dive early; winter brings north-westerly fronts and large swell, with clear, calm spells between them. Check the Bureau of Meteorology coastal forecast for swell height and period before committing.

Enter from the centre of the beach, snorkel out to the reef and follow its undulating edge, then return along the shoreline; scuba divers can make a shallow 3-5 m circuit of the reef. 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 needed - self-guided snorkel/shore dive. Snorkel gear hire from Pedal & Flipper and other outlets in the Thomson Bay settlement; guided snorkel tours (Rottnest Snorkel) run from Thomson Bay. Scuba divers bring cylinders from Perth - no fills on the island.