Who doesn’t love a day at the beach and when visiting Western Australia’s south coast some of the best beaches you’ll see, are in and around Esperance.

When planning your road trip or your holiday to Esperance it’s important to know that Esperance Town is approximately a 60-minute drive from Cape le Grand. Cape le Grand has the highest concentration of beaches around Esperance and some of the most famous. I’m looking at you Lucky Bay!

There a several camping options in Cape le Grand, but they book out months in advance. So, if you’re not lucky enough to nab a campsite in the National Park, you’ll likely be using Esperance Town as your basecamp.

Esperance Town is a great base. With a population of roughly 15,000 people, it has that small coastal town feel with all the services, eateries, supermarkets, coffee shops you could want or need. Plus several campsites and other accommodation options. 

As well as its own beautiful beaches to enjoy!

The Best Beaches in Esperance

Eleven Mile Beach

Approximately 20 minutes west of Esperance. This long stretch of white sand consists of little subsets of beaches, 13-mile beach, 11-mile lagoon and 10-mile lagoon.

With its sheltered position in the bay, it makes for a great family beach, with little rock pools to explore and good conditions for snorkelling.

There is also a small “clothing-optional” section if you’re that way inclined!

Twilight Beach

Twilight Beach in Twilight Bay is only a few minutes drive from Esperance Town. This Esperance beach is popular with families and fishermen alike, with beautiful rocky outcrops in the turquoise blue water offshore

Blue Haven Beach

Blue Haven gets its name from the stunning water and the protection from the wind in this beautiful little bay. It is a short 9-minute drive from town and is a great snorkelling beach

West Beach

West Beach is the closest beach to Esperance Town, situated in a residential area.

It has a great surf break and the reef offshore provides a protected area for swimmers. Known for having rips and currents, swimmers need to be aware.

Wylie Bay

To the east of Esperance town, Wylie Bay is for the more adventurous. 4wd vehicles are best for this soft boggy sand. It is popular with surfers and also sand boarders in the nearby dunes.

Find the best local accommodation in and around Esperance

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The Best Beaches around Esperance

To access the beach of Cape le Grand national park, drive east and via Merivale.

Because Cape le Grand is a national park you will need to buy a day pass or a park pass . Therefore purchase your pass for however many days you will be visiting. This can be done online, at the gate when entering or at an automated pay station.

Le Grand Beach

Le Grand Beach is the most western beach you’ll come across in the park and is the parks namesake beach. It is also one of the longest single stretches of beach on Australia’s southern coast.

Found at the base of Mount Le Grand and with the well equipped Le Grand Beach Campground nearby. As well as the start of the coastal trail this beach is a must-visit.

Beach driving is allowed but drivers beware of the boggy sand conditions. Le Grand beach is also great for snorkelling, surfing and fishing.

Hellfire Bay

Moving east into the national park the next accessible beach is the stunning Hellfire Bay.

From the parking area, you’ll wander down past shaded BBQ and picnic areas plus the bathroom/changeroom facilities.

Meandering down the boardwalk you’ll soon be on the squeaky white sand. And staring into the crystal blue waters of Hellfire Bay.

The colour of the water will simply blow you away.

This protected beach, sandwiched between granite boulders and bushland is the perfect tranquil beach. Ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Little Hellfire Bay

From the car park at Hellfire Bay, and following the Coastal Walking Trail to the east, you’ll find Little Hellfire Bay.

A small 15-minute walk rewards you with this absolute beauty all to yourself.

Thistle Cove

Another secluded beach, again moving east into the park, is the beautiful Thistle Cove.

In my opinion the best beach!

There is a car park but the beach is only accessible down a pathway and over some granite boulders.

This picturesque cove is a carbon copy of the other beaches in and around Esperance. Stunning blue waters and squeaky whiter than white sand.

Lucky Bay

The beach that everyone knows about, due to its local mob of furry inhabitants.

Lucky Bay Beach is world-renowned for its long sweeping white sandy beach, bluer than blue waters and the local Kangaroo Mob that come out at dawn and dusk.

You are welcome to drive onto the beach and around the bay, however, be aware of boggy sand and pedestrians. As this is the most popular beach in the National Park there are a lot of people and small children wandering and playing on the shore. Drive slowly and park near the back of the beach at the foot of the bushland.

Plan your visit to Lucky Bay well. Lucky Bay Campground is nestled in the bushland at the western end of the bay. However it books out months in advance, so get in quick.

If you are visiting for the day, try and visit early morning or as the sun is setting for your best chance to see the local Kangaroos. Or better yet set yourself up on the beach with umbrellas and picnic rugs for the entire day.

There are public toilets nearby, as well as BBQ facilities, the Coastal Walking Trail to explore and also Lucky Bean Cafe, a local coffee truck that pulls up stumps right on the beach. Never mind the water to splash around in all day.

Lucky Bay is a great swimming beach, as well as perfect for canoeing/kayaking, snorkelling and fishing

Rossiter Bay

Lucky Bay is the last beach accessible on a sealed road. Moving further east again onto the now dirt road is Rossiter Bay.

This is a very secluded sweeping beach, approximately a 50-minute drive from Esperance Town.

Rossiter is best known for great birdwatching in the nearby bushland.

Swimming and fishing at Rossiters is also great, however, beach driving is not recommended as it is notoriously treacherous

Wharton Beach

The last beach in Cape le Grand NP is the stunning Warton beach.

Wharton beach is the furthest from Esperance Town, roughly about a 60-minute drive.

Wharton has some of the clearest waters in WA if you can believe that after the beaches you may have already visited.

Grab your surfboard, paddleboard, or snorkelling mask, because Wharton beach is the best for these activities.

Duke of Orleans Bay

One of the furthest beaches east of Esperance, but still great for a day trip is Duke of Orleans Bay. It’s a small 2 km drive from Wharton Beach and known to the locals as The Duke.

Considered best for 4W-Driving, as well as for fishing and of course swimming.

Nearby Duke of Orleans Bay Caravan Park is nestled in nearby dunes and set amongst beautiful bushland.

Marvel at the stunning views of the beach and bluest of blue waters.

Are you planning on visiting some of the best beaches in Esperance?

The South Coast of Western Australia is THE perfect place for a road trip.

This region boasts beautiful beaches, stunning forests and numerous walking trails, all the way along the coast from Perth to Esperance to explore, as well as the stunning Margaret River Wine Region. It truly is an awesome region in WA and one worth spending a few weeks exploring by car.

Why not let me plan your road trip for you?

Having spent 2 weeks doing this exact road trip, I know what you can and can’t fit in. Plus I know where is worth stopping and where you can skip, to ensure you get the maximum time where it counts.

Let me know if you agree that these are the best beaches in Esperance and which ones you are planning to visit?

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