Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Natalia
It’s no secret that Western Australia boasts some of the most breathtaking beaches on the planet, and the beaches in Esperance are among the very best. Renowned for their unparalleled beauty and crystal-clear waters, there are a number of brilliant beaches to discover both in and around the town. The nearby Cape Le Grand National Park is home to some of the best beaches in Esperance, including the famous Lucky Bay with its friendly resident kangaroos. Many of the town’s best beaches are located along the Great Ocean Drive – a scenic 40 kilometre loop that showcases just how spoilt the area is for beaches! Discover the most beautiful spots and hidden gems along the area’s coast, with this guide to the best beaches in Esperance.
Looking for ideas of what else to do and see in the area? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Esperance!
9 Amazing Esperance Beaches
Lucky Bay
The famous Lucky Bay Beach is one of the best beaches in Esperance, well-known for its pristine white sand, turquoise waters, and resident kangaroos. Located in Cape Le Grand National Park, the beach is approximately a 50-minute drive from Esperance itself.
It’s a truly stunning beach, but the kangaroos steal the show here! Kangaroos are regularly seen at Lucky Bay, giving you the chance to see these magnificent animals up close in a unique and beautiful location.
The kangaroos here are quite relaxed and aren’t too bothered by the presence of humans, so often get quite close. That being said, you should still keep your distance and never touch or feed the kangaroos as they are still wild animals.
Although there is no guarantee you will see kangaroos, if you visit in the early morning or late evening you have a better chance – as they tend to be more active at these times of day. Seeing them wander along the beach is an unforgettable experience, and we were fortunate to spend around an hour watching three kangaroos on the beach at Lucky Bay.
The main beach at Lucky Bay stretches for quite some distance, and if you walk to the end there are some steps to a brilliant viewpoint of the beach. Four-wheel-drives are allowed on the beach, but for us this did slightly ruin the beauty of this spot.
We think it’s nicer to just walk along the beach, as that way it’s easier to admire its beauty without disturbing the kangaroos or other wildlife in the area. The soft white sand at Lucky Bay is lovely to walk along, and swimming from the beach is possible too if you like.
As well as being one of the area’s best beaches, Lucky Bay is also one of the best places to stay in Esperance! Camping by the beach and waking up to the kangaroos is an unforgettable experience, but you need to book in advance to secure your spot! Click here to book a campsite on the Explore Parks WA website!
Make sure to check out this guide to seeing the Lucky Bay Kangaroos before your visit!
Blue Haven
Blue Haven Beach is a beautiful beach in a sheltered cove, with stunning white sand and sparkling turquoise water. It’s one of the best beaches in Esperance along the Great Ocean Drive, so it’s mainly only accessible by car.
Rock faces on either side of the beach protect it from wind, making it a lovely spot to sunbathe or go swimming. It’s a relatively small beach, but its bright blue water and fine white sand make it a stunning spot to relax.
During high tide much of the sandy beach is underwater, but simply set yourself up on the rocky areas and you can still enjoy this stunning spot. Some people also go snorkelling at Blue Haven Beach, but from our experience there isn’t too much to see. If you’re looking for some better snorkelling spots in Western Australia then make sure to check out our guides to the best places to snorkel in Perth and the best places to snorkel at Rottnest Island!
Access to the beach is via a staircase, so unfortunately it isn’t accessible to anyone with mobility issues. Even if you don’t get to visit, it’s still worth admiring this beautiful spot from above whilst enjoying the scenic Great Ocean Drive.
Hellfire Bay
Hellfire Bay is one of the best beaches in Esperance. Located in the Cape Le Grand National Park, we think it’s the most beautiful beach in the area – which is saying something!
The water at Hellfire Bay is among the clearest in Esperance, with dazzling shades of blue and turquoise that set it apart from other beaches in the area. If that’s not enough, the pure white sand is perfect for sunbathing on – when you’re not being tempted in by the refreshing water!
Stretching for around 700 metres, there’s plenty of space on the beach to find your own spot. Some people make the mistake of missing this beach out in favour of spending more time at Lucky Bay, but considering it’s only a 10 minute drive away it’s well worth making time to visit.
As you approach the beach from the car park, you can get stunning views by climbing onto the rock formation on your left. From here you get a beautiful view of Hellfire Bay and some of Cape Le Grand National Park’s peaks in the background.
It’s a brilliant place to go for a swim thanks to the lovely setting, and it’s easy to see why we consider this to be the best beach in Esperance.
West Beach
West Beach is another of the beautiful beaches along Esperance’s Great Ocean Drive. Located just outside the town, in a suburb also called West Beach, the beach boasts lovely blue waters and golden sand.
A reef just off shore offers protection and ensures a safe place to swim, although it’s important to be wary of riptides. It’s one of the best beaches in Esperance for surfing, with the conditions tending to be better during low tide.
The beach is around a 40-minute walk from the Esperance town centre, but realistically it’s easier to drive there – especially if you’re planning to do the Great Ocean Drive at any point. There is a nice path along the top of the beach, where you can get some lovely views from above.
If you like these beaches then you should definitely consider including visiting Rottnest Island as part of a day trip itinerary.
Twilight Beach
With crystal clear turquoise waters and fine white sand, Twilight Beach is one of the best beaches in Esperance. Located along the Great Ocean Drive, the beach is around a 10-minute drive from the town itself.
It’s a beautiful spot to go swimming, thanks to the beautifully crystal-clear water. The water is so stunningly blue that it’s hard to do justice to it with words, but hopefully the photo below gives you some idea of how beautiful it is!
One of the popular things to do at the Twilight Beach in Esperance is to swim out to the unique rock formation a short distance from shore. It’s possible to climb this rock and jump back into the sea – although there have been a number of accidents over the years, so we wouldn’t recommend this ourselves.
A free car park is situated at one end of the beach, giving easy access to Twilight Bay. As it’s one of the most popular beaches in Esperance, you will need to arrive early to get a parking spot. We couldn’t find a spot on our visit, which is understandable at one of the best-loved beaches in the area.
Thistle Cove
Thistle Cove, a small cove in the Cape Le Grand National Park, boasts an unspoiled sandy beach with inviting turquoise waters. Despite its stunning beauty, the beach is actually one of the lesser-visited beaches and more of a hidden beach in Esperance.
Situated in between Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay, many visitors don’t make the time to visit this incredible spot. As a result, it’s sometimes possible to have this entire stretch of beach virtually to yourself – in stark contrast from the busy Lucky Bay!
It’s a brilliant place to relax and sunbathe, or even go for a swim, especially as four-wheel-drives aren’t allowed onto the beach. Stretching for almost one kilometre, it’s easy to find space to yourself here even if there are a few other visitors at the same time as you.
For the best view of Thistle Cove, make sure to climb the rocks on your left as you walk down from the car park. This vantage point is perfect for appreciating the beach’s sparkling blue water and pristine white sand.
Make sure to also visit the Whistling Rock – a unique rock formation located near to the beach. This towering rock amplifies the sound of the ocean, and on windy days makes a whistling sound – hence its name!
Wylie Head Beach
Wylie Head Beach is a secluded beach around a 15 minute drive from the Esperance town centre. Extending for around 4.5 kilometres, the beach has fine white sand and vibrant blue waters.
A car park at the far end of the beach gives access to the Wylie Bay Rock, from which you can get amazing views of the coastline in both directions. From up here you can see the various shades of blue in the ocean, which adds to the area’s stunning natural beauty.
In low tide there is also access to a rocky outcrop just off the beach, which you can climb onto for a slightly different view. For those with a four-wheel-drive it’s possible to continue on along the neighbouring Wylie Bay Beach – which connects with the Cape Le Grand Beach in the Cape Le Grand National Park.
Castletown Beach
Castletown Beach is a picturesque beach, located just outside the town of Esperance in the suburb of Castletown. Spanning around 3 kilometres, this lovely sandy beach is one of the quieter beaches in Esperance.
It’s a great spot for swimming, with beautiful turquoise water extending along this stretch of coast. We recommend taking a stroll along this pleasant beach, or if you prefer you can walk along Castletown Quays and get some views of the beach as you walk.
Free roadside parking is available at the far end of Castletown Quays and along the roadside leading up to it. Alternatively, if you don’t mind a bit of a walk then the beach is accessible on foot from Esperance town.
Ten Mile Lagoon
Ten Mile Lagoon is one of the best swimming beaches in Esperance, thanks to a rocky reef that provides a sheltered pool. One of the many beaches along the Great Ocean Drive, it boasts lovely white sand and beautiful turquoise water.
The crystal-clear waters of the lagoon are ideal for swimming, but be aware that at times there can be strong currents. On a calm day it’s the perfect place for a swim, thanks to the natural beauty of the beach.
A section of the Ten Mile Lagoon is a nudist beach, so it’s not the most family friendly beach in Esperance. Thankfully there are plenty of other amazing beaches to choose from on this list!
For more inspiration for more underrated places to visit in Australia, read more about the best things to do in Montville and the best things to do in Mooloolaba.
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