Tourist drowns at popular West Australian beach

Foreign tourist drowns near Yallingup after being swept from rocks at Indijup SpaBy Stan Shaw, Madigan Landry and Chela WilliamsABC South West WATopic:Drownings2h ago2 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 2:11amPolice say the man, a tourist from South East Asia, was swept from rocks at Indijup Natural Spa in WA's South West. (Supplied: Scott Palmer / @droneimageWA on Instagram)In short:A man has drowned after being swept from rocks at Indijup Natural Spa in Western Australia's South West.Police say the man, a tourist visiting from South-East Asia, became caught in a rip and drifted out to sea.His body was recovered and brought to shore by jet ski.abc.net.au/news/overseas-tourist-drowns-indijup-spa-near-yallingup/106615098Link copiedShareShare articleA man has drowned after he was swept off rocks at a popular beach in Western Australia's South West.Police say the man, aged in his 20s, fell into the sea just after midday on Monday at Indijup Natural Spa near Yallingup, around 250 kilometres south of Perth.He was then caught in a rip, police said, before being swept out to sea.His body was recovered from the water by a jet ski.Indijup Natural Spa is a popular tourist attraction, with visitors often seen taking photos of the ocean while standing on the rocks.Waves crashing over rocks in Yallingup, June 2020. (ABC South West: Anthony Pancia)Acting South West Superintendent Andy Elliott said attempts were made to rescue the man, who was visiting from South-East Asia."He had limited swimming abilities, and attempts to get the flotation devices to him were unsuccessful," he said."The male drifted out to sea and out of view and, unfortunately, his body was later recovered, deceased."Detective Inspector Andy Elliott says the man was swept from the rocks and into a rip off the South West coast. (ABC South West WA: Jacqueline Lynch)The death comes six years after a 23-year-old woman died at the same beach, which sparked calls for changes to signage.Warning signs about the dangers of walking along the rocks are in place.Superintendent Elliott said the incident served as a reminder to take ocean warnings seriously."I don't know if signs weren't read or weren't noticed," he said."Whether you're a tourist or a local, you've just got to respect the power and unpredictable nature of the ocean and take all the safety measures you can."It's a very sad day for the friends and family of the tourists, but also for the witnesses and the first responders."Anyone who may have witnessed the event and who has yet to speak to police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.The man's death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.Sad day for localsFor locals, the man's death has reinforced the need for improved safety equipment on the region's beaches, which attract tens of thousands of visitors each year.Yallingup resident Laurie Schlueter has been one of many pushing for safety improvements."I was gutted; I heard the sirens yesterday and thought: 'Something's happening somewhere,'" he said.A sign warning of the dangers at Injidup Beach. (ABC South West WA: Anthony Pancia)Mr Schlueter said a multi-pronged approach, including heavier-duty rescue equipment on beaches in the region, needed to be a priority for local leaders.He said safety and warning signage, while important, could be lost amid a multitude of parking, animal restrictions and other signs at beaches and should not be the sole response or focus."A flotation device that…

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