A KAS Krew Adventure: Crabbing and Exploring Karratha Back Beach

With the weather on our side, and low tide around sunset, some of the KAS Krew made our way to Karratha’s Back Beach for an adventure that mixed a bit of practical crabbing with some hands-on exploration. We started our journey about an hour before the tide was at its lowest (tides around the 1m or lower are best), giving us enough time to check out the exposed reef and rock pools.

The low tide turned the beach into a unique landscape for discovery. Our primary goal was to find mud crabs and blue swimmer crabs hidden in the sand and rocks, but the scene offered more than just a catch. We encountered several exposed reef formations, a giant starfish, and even a surprising lionfish tucked away in one of the pools—though the blue swimmer crabs stayed well-hidden that night.

What made the day memorable was the mix of people and pets joining the outing. Families with kids were on board, and even the store manager’s dog got in on the action. The shallow water made it easy for everyone to take in the surroundings, from close-up discoveries in the rock pools to a leisurely walk along the beach.

Even if crabbing isn’t your cup of tea, the walk itself is rewarding. The changing tide reveals a different side of the beach, with details you might otherwise miss. We navigated through shallow, sometimes muddy water—never deeper than lower thigh—and enjoyed the balance of activity and observation.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for midges. We used a DEET-free mozzie repellent (Good Riddance Sensitive was a solid choice), though I learned the hard way that its prone to rubbing off the back of your thighs in transit. Those back of the thigh couple bites were all I got. The midges weren’t much of a bother on the reef, but they made themselves known on our way back.

We wrapped up the adventure around 6:30 pm, just as the sun began its descent. It was a relaxed afternoon filled with simple pleasures and unexpected finds—a solid reminder that even a straightforward outing can bring moments of genuine discovery.