Coconut Wells is an absolute must visit spot in the North West and is located a short drive from Broome. This incredible spot thrives off the famous Kimberley tides and completely transforms into a summer haven that you really have to see to believe!
Whether you’re tackling the epic ‘float’ in the stunning turquoise lagoon on a Spring tide or relaxing in the rock pools on a low tide, a visit to Coconut Well promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Coconut Wells is extremely tide dependent so to make sure your visit to Coconut Wells is one to remember, make sure you keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
How to get to Coconut Wells
Coconut Wells is located a 25-minute drive from Broome on sealed roads. You can get here by navigating to Coconut Wells on google maps or by heading north on Broome Highway before turning left at Broome-Cape Leveque Road. After 3km you will take another left onto McGuigan Road and follow this for 9km before making your final turn onto Denham Road where you will find Coconut Wells Lagoon. The last 1km is unsealed but is suitable for 2WDs. Don’t navigate to Coconut Wells road as this will not take you to the right location!
There are two main areas of Coconut Wells, the lagoon and the rock pools.
Once you reach the end of the road you will find a small dirt car park where Coconut Wells lagoon is situated. If you are wanting to visit the rock pools and have a 4WD you can continue on down the sandy track but we recommend letting your tyres down first. If you have a 2WD you can park in the car park and walk down the 4WD track which is approximately 1km and takes roughly 15-20 minutes.
Coconut Wells Lagoon
On an average day you wouldn’t think much of the lagoon at Coconut Wells and if anything you wouldn’t even call it a lagoon as it just looks like a whole lot of sand! However visiting Coconut Wells on a Spring tide is a completely different story.
Spring tides occur twice a month on the full moon and new moon and are higher than usual tides. These tides are usually over 9m and cause water to rush from the ocean and fill up the lagoon.
On the day of the float we recommend getting there well before the high tide hits as there is limited parking (this is a popular activity for the locals!). You also want to have plenty of time to walk along the beach to the entrance of the lagoon before the water starts coming in, it took us about half an hour to walk from the carpark.
TIP: We recommend bringing an inflatable rather than a pool noodle as the water is often too shallow for you to float. If you want to take your float to the next level you might want to bring a drink or a waterproof speaker with you.
Once the tide starts to come in you can hop on your floatie and relax as you float back towards the car park. Once it reaches high tide the water will stop flowing which is why it’s so important to get here early so you don’t miss it!
This was easily one of our favourite things we did in Broome and can’t be missed if you have the right tides during your visit.
Coconut Wells Rock Pools
The beauty of the Coconut Wells rock pools is that it’s one of the few things you can do in Broome on a low tide. As the tide goes out it reveals hundreds of small rock pools which you are perfect to cool off in on a hot Broome day.
While you’ll have no problems finding your own pool to spend the day in, these pools also act as a home for a variety of different marine life so make sure you’re not sharing your pool with them before you jump in!
Whilst it is recommended to visit the pools at low tide, it is possible for the tide to be too low depending on the day! To avoid disappointment we recommend visiting on an outgoing tide and spend some time exploring the beach and rock pools before jumping in when the tide is just right!
The rocks here are also quite sharp so it’s worth wearing some form of footwear when exploring the rock pools.
FAQs
How do I check the tides?
Getting the right tides is ESSENTIAL to have a memorable experience at Coconut Wells. We recommend using WillyWeather which allows you to check the exact tide at any point in the day. Alternatively, we also like to use this BOM tide table which shows the high and low tides for the whole year as well as special dates such as Staircase to the Moon.
If you are planning a trip to Broome and are only planning on being there for a short amount of time we recommend checking the tides before booking as it can make or break your trip!
Why are the tides so big in Broome?
The tides in the North-West are pretty extraordinary to witness and if you’ve been to Broome before you know that the tide can change pretty quickly and can leave you in a lot of trouble.
While most people know that the tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, the huge tides that exist in the Kimberley are due to the large width of the continental shelf which allows tides to grow much bigger than if it was a different shape. The biggest tides, known as Spring tides occur twice a month on the full moon and new moon.
In comparison to the South West of Western Australia where tidal variation (the difference between low and high tide) is around 1m, Broome’s tidal variation is around 8m and can be as high as 11m during King tides.
Are there crocodiles at Coconut Wells?
While crocodiles are found in the Kimberley region it is pretty unlikely that you’ll come across any at Coconut Wells. If any crocodiles are sighted in the area there will usually be signs to alert you or you can check in for any updates at the visitor centre in Broome.
Do I need a 4WD?
No! While the road to the rock pools is 4WD only, you can access the lagoon car park with a 2WD. If you are wanting to visit the rock pools you can simply park at the lagoon and walk down the sandy 4WD track which is about 1km and takes around 15-20 minutes.
Are there any facilities at Coconut Wells?
Unfortunately there are no facilities at Coconut Wells so make sure to bring everything you need with you including plenty of water and leave no trace.
Where is the best place to stay?
We recommend staying in Broome as Coconut Wells is only a 25-minute drive and is perfect for a day trip. There is a variety of accommodation to choose from ranging from caravan parks, resorts, hotels and B&Bs. Accommodation often books out quickly over the dry season so we recommend booking well in advance!
