It’s hard to beat a day at the beach, and the pristine shoreline of Esperance, WA is home to some of the most stunning coastal destinations in Australia.
This sun-soaked slice of paradise sits on the edge of the Southern Ocean and is renowned for its crystal white sands and gleaming turquoise waters. Esperance has too many beaches to count.
So, to make it easy for you, we’ve put together a list of the 11 best shorelines that should be top of your Esperance bucket list.
Grab your bucket and spade, jump in the car and take a road trip down south to explore the 11 best beaches in Esperance that are simply perfect for your next sandy getaway.
The Duke of Orleans Bay, known as ‘The Duke’ by locals, is regarded as one of the best Esperance beaches by those in the know.
About 90km east of Esperance, the sheltered and secluded bay provides a beautiful natural shoreline ideal for fishing, snorkelling and four-wheel driving. There is even a boat ramp located at the bay for those venturing out into the ocean.
We recommend packing a picnic and spending the whole day beachside at The Duke, especially if you’re planning to visit during the warmer summer months.
Rossiter Bay is one of Esperance’s quieter, untouched beaches, situated about a 50-minute drive from Esperance town and Esperance Bay Caravan Park.
This secluded spot is perfect for birdwatching, bushwalking and swimming, while its colourful coastline provides plenty of photographic opportunities.
An abundance of WA wildflowers and gorgeous flowering thickets contrast against the sandy white shoreline, and you’ll find plenty of native Aussie wildlife to admire here, too.
About 50 km east of Esperance, the aptly named Cape Le Grand Beach is one of the longest stretches of beach on Australia’s southern coast.
There’s plenty of adventure to be found here, from surfing to bushwalking, as well as facilities for BBQs and small boats. Or if you’re after a quieter day by the sea, simply sit back on the sandy white shoreline and enjoy memorable views of the rugged granite outcrops and distant island peaks beyond.
This small, sheltered beach is sandwiched between Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay, and it is the perfect starting point for several scenic hikes and bushwalks along the Esperance coastline.
Choose between many picturesque walking trails, including the 2-km route to Lucky Bay or the more challenging 4.5-km hike over granite rock towards Hellfire Bay. Thistle Cove is also where you’ll find Esperance’s famous Whistling Rock. If you listen carefully, you might just be able to hear the wind whistling through this incredible natural rock formation.
Just a 20-minute drive from Esperance town and Esperance Bay Caravan Park, Eleven Mile Lagoon makes for a fantastic family day out, with lots of rock pools that are great fun for little adventurers to explore.
Snorkelers will find plenty to spot here, too, as the reefs and waters of this pretty beach are teeming with natural wildlife and unusual underwater formations. The sheltered conditions of Eleven Mile Lagoon also make this the perfect spot for swimmers, while surfers will find plenty of waves to enjoy as well.
If you’re making the Great Ocean Drive from Warrnambool, then one of the first beaches you’ll come across is West Beach, Esperance in the Fitzgerald River National Park.
A photographer’s dream, this superbly scenic beach is home to a variety of striking rock formations, speckled with shimmering mica and deep pink garnets. Pack a camera and a picnic and come and admire these unique sculptures as they sparkle in the WA sunshine.
For a quieter day out, Hellfire Bay is a secluded strip of white sandy shoreline that’s situated about a 45-minute drive from the Esperance town centre.
This hidden treasure, which is said to be named after St Elmo’s fire, is sandwiched between huge granite rocks and nestled within the scenic Cape Le Grand National Park. Here you’ll find a shaded picnic area with BBQ facilities and clear aquamarine waters that are ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
And if you look out to sea, you should be able to spot the rocky outline of the Recherche Archipelago on a clear day.
Here’s one for the surfers, snorkelers and sun worshippers. Wharton Beach is another Cape Le Grand National Park beach, situated just over an hour’s drive from Esperance town centre.
It’s home to some of the clearest waters in WA, so bring your surf or paddleboard and spend a day riding the waves or snorkelling underneath them. If you’re after a more peaceful vibe, the fine white sands of Wharton Beach are also perfect for lying back and soaking up the sun.
Plus, if you keep your eyes peeled, you just might be able to spot a pod of dolphins in the waters.
If you’ve got a furry friend in tow, be sure to treat them to a trip to Blue Haven beach.
You’ll find this dog-friendly hideaway just a 10-minute drive from Esperance, at the end of a stunning, winding staircase. This steep staircase alone is worth the trip, offering expansive views over the Southern Ocean.
Rocky cliffs on either side of the beach give this sheltered haven protection from the winds and make for idyllic swimming and snorkelling conditions.
Twilight Bay Beach is situated just a 10-minute drive from the town of Esperance, along the world-famous Great Ocean Drive, and it is the perfect destination for a family day trip.
The crystal clear waters at this beloved bay are often calm and perfect for all levels of swimming, making this one of the best beaches in Esperance, WA.
Twilight Bay is home to one of Australia’s most scenic coastlines, too, with striking granite formations set against pure white sands and vibrant turquoise waters. And don’t forget to take your camera for a snap of the famous ‘rock with a hole in it’ that lies just offshore.
Located in the beautiful Cape Le Grand National Park, Lucky Bay deserves our final spot for its clear azure waters, 5-km stretch of pristine white sands and – of course – its adorable resident roos.
This Instagram hotspot is situated just a 45-minute drive from Esperance Bay Holiday Park and affords plenty of swimming, hiking, snorkelling, beach fishing and surfing opportunities.
Plus, don’t miss the chance to get up close to the friendly kangaroos and joeys lucky enough to call this stunning shoreline home. You’ll find them chilling in the shade at the far end of the beach.
What beaches can you drive on in Esperance?
There are 4 beaches you can drive on in Esperance. The most popular of the four is Cape Le Grand Beach, a 20km long beach that is 45 minutes from Esperance. The other 3 include Duke of Orleans Beach, Rossiter Bay and Cape Arid.
What is the best time to visit Esperance?
The best time to visit Esperance is Mid-December to late March. This is when the weather is most pleasant.
When can you see whales in Esperance?
The best time to see whales in Esperance is during the winter months between the months of June and October.
Why is the sand in Esperance so white?
The purity of the environment and weather-eroded quartz is why the sand is so white in Esperance.
