Last Updated on 7 September 2024 by Ariana Svenson
Around the world, the Esperance beaches are famous for their pure white sands, azure blue waters and, of course, the chance to grab a selfie with a kangaroo! While Lucky Bay should be on everyone’s list of Esperance’s best beaches, it is certainly not the only spot where you can enjoy the incredible beauty of this part of the world and enjoy some amazing beaches.
To get started, the beaches in Esperance fall into three distinct areas:
- The beaches close to Esperance town, including the spectacular Great Ocean Drive.
- The beaches of Cape Le Grand National Park, including Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay, are about an hour’s drive from Esperance and include the wonderfully situated Lucky Bay campground.
- Beaches near Esperance, including the wonderful Duke of Orleans Bay and Cape Arid National Park.
Without a doubt, there is a lot more to Esperance Beach than simply Lucky Bay. Sometimes, when you are reading about the white sand and turquoise waters, it can all become a beautiful blur. We hope that we have given you more ideas about which stunning beaches in Esperance you really want to visit!
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Entry Fees to Visit Most Beaches in Esperance
It is highly suggested that you get a Western Australia National Parks Pass. You will probably visit many National Parks during this trip, so buying a National Parks Pass makes sense.
Each National Park costs $13 for a car, but we strongly recommend looking at the Holiday passes. You can check the current pricing here.
- 5-Day – Unlimited entry to any WA park for up to 5 (five) days.
- 14 Day – Unlimited entry to any WA park for up to 2 (two) weeks.
- 1 Month – Unlimited entry to any WA park for up to 4 (four) weeks.
Cape Le Grand National Park Beaches
It is important to point out that we acknowledge the Wudjari people as the traditional owners of Cape Le Grand National Park.
The name comes from one of the officers Le Grande on the ship L’Esperance of the 1792 expedition of Bruni d’Entrecasteaux.
1. Lucky Bay Esperance
Perhaps the most popular of all the Esperance beaches in Lucky Bay Esperance – THE top thing to do in Esperance. Located in Cape Le Grand National Park, Lucky Bay is often the main reason people visit Esperance.
With stunning white sand beaches, electric blue water, and cute Grey Kangaroos that come onto the beach.
Getting close to kangaroos on the beach is a special experience. They like to come out of the bush and onto the shoreline in the early morning and late afternoon. So, if you want to enjoy the roos, make sure to visit during these times.
If you have a 4WD drive, you can drive your vehicle onto the beach. This is a great way to enjoy a day at Lucky Bay Esperance.
2. Hellfire Bay, Esperance
Hellfire Bay is located somewhat near Lucky Bay, making it easy to explore both places on the same day. With the same amazing blue water, Hellfire Bay is usually occupied by fewer people than Lucky Bay.
This makes it a great choice if you want to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
There are even facilities at Hellfire Bay, which include a BBQ, some picnic benches, and toilets.
3. Little Hellfire Bay
Just a 10-minute walk through to bush from Hellfire Bay, you will arrive at Little Hellfire Bay. This is a smaller, lesser-known bay but equally as beautiful as the others.
It is a good way to escape the crowds and take a relaxing dip in the calm waters.
Interestingly, Hellfire Bay is believed to be named after St. Elmo’s fire, a bluish flame-like electrical discharge that can sometimes be seen above a ship’s masts.
4. Rossiter Bay
Rossiter Bay is located about a 55-minute drive from downtown Esperance.
With an abundance of Western Australian wildflowers, native wildlife and birds, and iconic white sandy beaches, this is a perfect quiet spot for birdwatching or photography.
Enjoy time at Rossiter Bay bushwalking and afterwards swimming in the gorgeous waters.
If you love wildflowers, check out our post, which takes you through the best Wildflowers in Western Australia.
5. Thistle Cove
Like Lucky Bay, Thistle Cove is a stunning beach also located in Cape Le Grand National Park and has gorgeous white sand beaches with beautiful turquoise water.
However, it is much less crowded than Lucky Bay Esperance. You may even be lucky and get to enjoy the beach all to yourself.
Very large granite boulders shelter Thistle Cove, making it extremely picturesque. Also, make sure to check out “Whistling Rock,” which, when windy, appears to be whistling.
6. Le Grand Beach
Le Grand Beach is one of the most incredible beaches in Esperance, WA. It is very close to the campgrounds, which makes it an excellent spot with facilities.
Activities to enjoy at Le Grand Beach include swimming, snorkeling, surfing, canoeing, and sunbathing. Several walking trails lead to the hill and offer a stunning view over the bay.
The campground at Le Grand Beach offers visitors a way to stay for a few days and enjoy everything the beaches in Esperance have to offer. Choose from powered and unpowered sites that are all very close to the ocean.
Beaches Near Esperance Town
7. Wylie Bay
Wylie Bay Esperance is a secluded beach that is reached by traversing big sand dunes. If you are keen on making the trip, know that this place is stunning.
A natural sandbar in front of the beach makes it appear that there are beaches on each side.
Pristine and secluded, Wylie Bay Esperance is a perfect place to watch the sunset. We promise and unforgettable experience.
One thing to note is that winds can be strong at Wylie Bay. Plus, once you have photographed the sunset, you can drop into the Lucky Bay Brewing company on the way home.
Cape Arid National Park Beaches
Cape Arid National Park is located 125km east of Esperance. Most roads and camping areas are only accessible by 4WD vehicles.
However, some places around the Thomas River area are 2WD accessible, albeit on unsealed roads.
It is important to acknowledge that the Ngatjumay and Wudjari people are the traditional owners of Cape Arid National Park.
What is the Difference Between Cape Le Grand and Cape Arid National Parks?
Most people will likely choose Cape Le Grand over Cape Arid National Park if not for the fact that Cape Le Grand is more accessible, especially to visitors in 2WD vehicles.
Cape Arid National Park is remote and more rugged. To enjoy all that Cape Arid offers, you would need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. When visiting, make sure to fuel up your vehicle as there are limited resources, and what is there is expensive.
8. Duke of Orleans Bay
Just an hour’s drive east of Esperance, Duke of Orleans Bay is situated on the peninsula between Cape Le Grand and Cape Arid National Park. However, most of the bays are only accessible by a 4WD vehicle.
Duke of Orleans Bay offers many activities, including fishing, surfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, and more.
It is a popular playground for people from Esperance and Kalgoorlie, who come for family holidays and to enjoy this uncrowded area.
There is only one overnight option in Duke of Orleans Bay: a caravan park. However, you do have a choice of powered and unpowered sites, cabins, and park homes.
9. Wharton Beach
Wharton Beach Esperance is likely the most popular beach in the Duke of Orleans area. Its crystal clear turquoise waters and stunning soft white sand make it great for a relaxing day. It really is a great beach with a laid-back, relaxed vibe.
10 Little Wharton Beach – The Perfect Secluded Beach!
Located right next to Wharton Beach Esperance, it is smaller and less crowded. It is the perfect place for a quiet picnic and a view of Lorraine Island.
If you are visiting either of these beaches, make sure to stop into Condingup Tavern for a scone or burger.
11. Alexander Bay, Esperance
Located 100km east of Esperance, Alexander Bay offers first-come, first-served camping. However, the camp site is only accessible via 4WD. You must also bring everything needed for your stay, including fuel, water, and food.
Mobile reception is spotty at best, so this area is for adventurous souls and those who want to get an off the beaten track Esperance beaches experience.
Esperance Beach Map
Here’s a map of the beaches closest to Esperance:
Here are all the beaches mentioned in this post:
How Long Do I Need to Visit the Esperance Beaches?
Seriously, the answer to this is – how long is a piece of string? You could visit the beaches around Lucky Bay in a day and get a sense for the specialness of this part of Western Australia.
We personally recommend spending a couple of days in Esperance town (including exploring the beaches around town and along the Great Ocean Road) and then at least a day out at Lucky Bay.
Beach lovers (as we are) will tell you there is much more to a beach than simply visiting and snapping a photo for the gram.
You can walk along the beach, explore rocks, discover rock pools, or admire the changing clouds at sunset. We’ve generally visited Esperance for a week at a time, and the beaches always figure prominently on our itinerary.
What’s the Best Way to Visit the Esperance Beaches?
By far, the easiest way to visit the beaches in Esperance is by car. If you don’t have a car, you will need to hire one.
Hire a 2WD
When considering hiring a car, first make sure that you are allowed to take the rental care of Esperance from the location you are renting it from. We have heard that some car companies do not allow their rental cars to be driven to Esperance because of the distance.
Also, be aware that you will not want to drive your rental 2WD car on unsealed roads. If it is just a short distance from the main road to a parking area, this would be okay as long as you exercise caution.
Hire a 4WD
If you are a confident 4WD driver, then certainly, some of the wild beauty, sheer isolation, and power of the South Coast and Esperance beaches will be more accessible to you.
Be aware that you need to have good skills in soft sand driving and be aware of how the tides move quickly. You should not hire a 4WD if you don’t have substantial experience.
There is limited phone reception, and rescues can be very logistically difficult.
At Wylie Bay, there is a huge rock that you can drive over to enjoy the amazing views from the top. However, you only attempt this if you are competent in doing so.
Once you pass the rock, you drive about 20km along the beach until you reach Cape Le Grand. You can camp there or continue down the beach to Lucky Bay.
There are a range of other 4WD Tracks around Esperance, including along Rossiter’s Beach, Duke of Orleans, or Cape Arid.
Join a Group Tour
If you don’t have your own wheels or are not confident enough to drive some 4WD but want to get off the beaten track, why not join a group tour? That way, you can meet like-minded people.
There are many guided tours to choose from, including tours to Cape Le Grand, Cape Arid National Park, and those that highlight the sites of Esperance. These can range from small private group tours to large couch groups, all with experienced drivers and guides.
Do an Overflight
Seeing Esperance and its surrounding beaches by air is a next-level experience. While it might be the most expensive option, it is sure to be unforgettable.
A bonus of doing an overflight of Esperance’s beaches is that you will also get to see the world-famous bubble gum pink lake at Lake Hiller. Check out Fly Esperance for more information.
What About the Recherche Archipelago?
The Bay of Isles, also known as Recherche Archipelago, is a group of 105 islands off the southern coast of Esperance. This Western Australian island group spans a whopping 230 kilometres from east to west and lies about 50 kilometres offshore.
Explorer Mathew Flinders was the first explorer to chart the islands of the Recherche Archipelago in 1802. Recherche Archipelago was named after one of Flinders ships, “Research” and the town of Esperance was named after his other ship, “Esperance”.Our Western Australia glamping ideas post offers more information about glamping on Woody Island in the archipelago.
The Verdict – The Best Esperance Beaches
Whether you plan to spend a day in Esperance – or a week – you are going to want to know which beaches suit your needs best. We hope that this thorough review of the Esperance beaches, their pros and cons, gives you a good idea of what to expect and how best to plan your time in Esperance.
If you’re planning a trip to Esperance have you considered a road trip? Read our Perth to Esperance road trip guide and Albany to Esperance road trip guide.
Have we missed something? Do you think there are Beaches in Esperance that deserve better reviews? Please let us know by commenting below!
Like It> Pin It>The Best Esperance Beaches, Plus Lucky Bay!
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