17 BEST Beaches In Esperance, Western Australia (2024)

Esperance is home to Australia’s most beautiful road – the 40km Great Ocean Drive, which boasts the best beaches in Esperance!

You’ll also find outstanding beaches within Cape Le Grand National Park in Esperance and lots of other cool places to explore during your visit.

Esperance beaches are rated as some of the best beaches in Australia, each offering unique natural features, an abundance of sea life, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and much more.

I have put together this complete guide of 17 AMAZING Beaches In Esperance that you don’t want to miss!

17 BEST BEACHES IN ESPERANCE

Let’s start right with the main topic of this guide, the best beaches Esperance has to offer, from Lucky Bay to Hellfire Bay, and many more!

LUCKY BAY

Lucky Bay is the most popular Esperance beach Australia, located in Cape Le Grand National Park.

In fact, Lucky Bay is often the reason why people visit Esperance, just to come and experience this stunning beach for its electric blue waters, squeaky white sands, and the amazing sight of the Grey Kangaroos that come down onto the beach to play.

It’s very rare you’ll ever get to be this close to a Kangaroo, let alone on the beach, so this is definitely not to be missed.

The roos like to come out of the bushes and onto the shoreline in the early morning and later on in the afternoon, so be sure to visit around these times.

You can also drive your vehicle right down onto the beach and hang out for the day with your friends and family.

Go for a dip in the cool waters, or stroll along the water’s edge to the end of the bay and explore the rocky outcrops. There is something here for everyone!

HELLFIRE BAY

It’s not hard to come across turquoise-colored Esperance beaches, but if you want to swim in some of the calmest, bluest waters you’ve ever swum in, head down to Hellfire Bay.

This is a cozy, quiet bay that is surrounded by chalky white sand and strikingly blue water.

Equipped with picnic tables and a barbecue area that overlooks the water, Hellfire Bay is a popular lunch stop in Cape Le Grand National Park.

LITTLE HELLFIRE BAY

Just over the hill from Hellfire Bay, about a 10-minute walk away, you’ll find Little Hellfire Bay, another one of the best beaches in Esperance!

The smaller, lesser-known bay, with equally as white sand and vibrant waters as Hellfire Bay, Little Hellfire Bay is definitely a good way to escape the crowds.

Head here early to claim your spot on the sand and spend the day soaking up the sun.

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LE GRAND BEACH

The rocks, the white sand, and the pristine water combined create a breathtaking landscape.

Le Grand Beach is the perfect spot for swimming, canoeing, snorkeling, surfing, or just relaxing and enjoying the view.

Because it is so close to the campgrounds there are some great facilities for visitors, and if you fancy staying for a few days, grab a powered or unpowered site just a stone’s throw from the ocean.

Le Grand Beach also features walking trails that you can follow to the top of the hill and appreciate a stunning view of the bay from a birdseye perspective!

WYLIE BAY

If you’re as mad about sunsets as I am, then head down to Wylie Bay to watch an unforgettable sunset over the horizon.

This unique curved rock makes for the perfect location to watch the sunset after a great day of adventure.

When visiting during the day, be sure to check out the natural sandbar and explore the stunning beaches on both sides of Wylie Bay Rock.

Whether you’re a keen photographer looking for that ideal shot or whether you want to take a refreshing dip in the ocean, Wylie Bay has you covered.

THISTLE COVE

Next up on this list of best beaches in Esperance is Thistle Cove!

If you’re an early riser, then set the alarm and head on down to Thistle Cove in Cape Le Grand National Park to watch the sunrise over this stunning beach.

This quiet, remote cove is the perfect location to catch the sunrise and start your day off right.

Climb down onto the white sand, watch the sunrise then head in for a little early morning dip in the turquoise waters.

Beware on the climb down, Thistle Cove is home to a lot of wildlife including different species of lizards.

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WEST BEACH

Situated close to a residential area, West Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Esperance among locals and tourists to enjoy some fun in the ocean.

The beach itself is surrounded by reefs which makes it a safe place to swim. West Beach is also the perfect getaway for surf lovers who come here for the waves.

West Beach is characterized by its unique dark sculpted rocks shaped in many different ways, which contrast with the clarity of the water.

Besides being the perfect place to enjoy a hot summer day, it’s also known for being a good place to watch humpback whales and their newborns during their annual migration in the winter months.

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BLUE HAVEN BEACH

Blue Haven Beach is one of the most preserved Esperance beaches.

This outstanding beach, with turquoise waters and protected from the wind due to rocks laying on both sides of the beach, is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a beautiful place to go swimming.

There is also a viewing platform on your way to the beach, so make sure you stop here and take some pictures.

Depending on the tides, there may be less sand space available, so make sure you check the tides before you go to this Esperance Beach, or be prepared to lay on the rocks instead, which I can assure you will be as good as the sand.

SALMON BEACH

Salmon Beach is the fishermen’s lovers’ favorite beach with the rocky shoreline making it a perfect place to throw a line in and catch a fresh feed.

When you arrive in the car park, you’ll have easy access to the beach itself via the wooden steps and enjoy the crystal-clear water that’s too inviting not to go for a swim, especially on a calm day. 

Another interesting fact about this beach is that you may even spot some reef sharks in the bay!

FOURTH BEACH

Fourth Beach is the perfect place to see an exceptional sunset.

With great parking facilities and a bench to sit and enjoy the view, this is one of the Esperance beaches you don’t want to miss while driving along the Great Ocean Drive.

This spectacular beach offers a very long stretch of sand for you to go for a walk while breathing in the fresh air.

Not being one of the most famous beaches in the region, it feels like a secret spot in paradise.

Fourth Beach is also an amazing beach for surfers, and paddle lovers, however, you should be careful with the undercurrents and rips that may surge.

TWILIGHT BEACH

Twilight Beach is the second most popular beach in Esperance, after Lucky Bay!

Head down here for a morning dip in the ocean and soak up the sunny rays, weather permitting. Surrounded by white sand and granite boulders, this quiet cove is perfect for a little escapism.

You’ll come across Twilight Beach on your drive along the Great Ocean Drive, as this makes up one of the stops along this stretch of coastline.

DOLPHIN COVE BEACH

Named after the nearby headland that has a shape of a dolphin, Dolphin Cove Beach is a must-see during your visit.

This cozy white sandy beach offers the best spot to relax and enjoy a good swim, and because it’s never too busy, you can expect some peaceful moments for yourself.

Dolphin Cove Beach is also another perfect spot to watch the migrating humpback whales. Make sure you don’t miss this one!

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OBSERVATORY BEACH

Observatory Beach offers a platform from which you can enjoy a fantastic view of the beaches across the bay.

Swimming at this Esperance beach Australia when the sea is rough can be a bit risky, but the view is definitely worth the stop.

This beach is full of rocks and reefs, making it a unique place to explore and try to find some unique sea creatures.

At Observatory Point, you can find information boards that give you some indications about the islands nearby.

If you’re feeling adventurous, do some rock-hopping in search of the best sunset spot.

NINE MILE BEACH

Nine Mile Beach extends from Observatory Point towards the northwest for 1.3km.

In the east, the beach is surrounded by reefs and granite rocks, and due to the impact of breaking waves against the rocks and reefs, wide waves are created making it perfect for surfing.

On the western part of the beach, the water conditions are calm, especially at low tide, which makes it a good place to swim and perhaps do some snorkeling around reefs.

Nine Mile Beach offers the best of both worlds, whether you’re looking for some adventure or just want a relaxing day at the beach.

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TEN MILE LAGOON

Ten Mile Lagoon is called this way because of its continuous beach and rock reef which creates the lagoon. It’s by far one of the most interesting beaches in Esperance.

Extending 16km, this beach is a great place for swimming and fishing, as there are many rocks where you can settle on a day-long fishing adventure.

A large car park is available near the beach, but it’s also possible to follow a vehicle track if you want to get to the top and enjoy some amazing views of Nine Mile Beach and Eleven Mile Beach.

Ten Mile Lagoon is also a nude beach, so if you feel like getting your kit off, this is the perfect place to do it!

ELEVEN MILE BEACH

Eleven Mile Beach lies 6km northwest of Ten Mile Lagoon. This almost endless beach offers a surf area, and strong beach rips, making it a good place for surf lovers to ride some waves.

Although it can be a bit dangerous to swim, depending on the waves and rips, the natural pools are a great spot to take a dip on a calm day.

At the back of the beach, the dunes reach up to 140m which is a unique characteristic of this location.

Make sure to add Eleven Mile Beach to your list of beaches to visit while exploring the Great Ocean Drive.

ESPERANCE BAY (MAIN BEACH)

Esperance Bay is the main beach that stretches along the length of the town and the esplanade.

Take a dip in the calm waters, or if you’re up for an adrenaline rush, do some jumps off the jetty.

Finished at the beach? Lining the esplanade, you’ll find and range of shops, cafes, restaurants, a skatepark, and plenty of other things to enjoy.

Grab yourself a coffee to accompany your shopping trip and see away a morning just strolling down the esplanade, taking in the incredible scenery and appreciating what a beautiful part of the world you’re in.

HOW TO GET TO ESPERANCE?

There are three main ways of getting to Esperance.

BY CAR

The first would be to drive yourself if you have your own vehicle.

As I mentioned above, it’s about a 7.5-hour drive from Perth to Esperance and will take you the best part of an entire day to get here.

Road-tripping is always my favorite way to get around and proves to be the perfect way to soak up more of the country.

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BY BUS

Similar to road-tripping, you can also take a coach bus to Esperance.

Although a little less favorable being that you have to share the bus and release some of that freedom to the driver, taking the coach can also be a great way to get here.

The Perth to Esperance bus takes around 8 hours with TransWA’s luxury coaches, arriving in Esperance daily.

BY AIR

The quickest and most straightforward way to get to Esperance would be to fly.

Regional Express Airlines flies daily between Perth and Esperance and flight times are approximately 90 minutes.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ESPERANCE

In all honesty, there is not a bad time to visit Esperance.

With a whole range of different things to see and do, both inside and outdoors, there is something for everyone, all year round.

However to ensure you get to make the most of your time in Esperance Australia and so you get to do the majority of the beaches in Esperance, I would definitely suggest visiting in the spring/summer months.

In doing so, you’ll almost guarantee yourself an incredible trip, with a jam-packed itinerary and you’ll be sure to leave with a banging tan.

Please note that if you’re visiting in the spring/summer, this is most likely the busier months and more people will be around.

So each activity/destination you go to, I would advise visiting early in the morning to beat the crowds.

WHAT TO PACK FOR ESPERANCE

When visiting Esperance, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

FINAL THOUGHTS – ESPERANCE BEACHES

So there you have it, a complete guide to the 17 best beaches Esperance has to offer.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

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