Esperance is thought for having a few of the finest seashores in Western Australia, and possibly even Australia. After being on my bucket record for just a few years, I lastly made the lengthy drive from Perth to see them for myself.
We spent 4 nights within the small coastal city and rapidly found that there are SO many superb seashores in Esperance which can be value seeing. These are the 12 finest seashores in Esperance.
This information was first revealed in June 2021, and final up to date in October 2023.
Map of Esperance Seashores
The seashores in Esperance could be fairly unfold out and on reverse sides of the city. Ensure you plan your locations every day so you can also make probably the most environment friendly use of your time and minimise driving time.
A lot of the seashores in Esperance are positioned in two essential areas; Cape Le Grand Nationwide Park (about 45 minutes drive from Esperance city) and the Nice Ocean Drive (a 40km round loop drive that begins on the west aspect of city).
The closest seashores close to Esperance city are West Seashore and Blue Haven Seashore.
Tip: Cape Le Grand Nationwide Park has a $15 entry payment per automobile, per day (2023). You pay this on the entry station on the way in which into the park, or buy a Western Australia Nationwide park move in the event you’re visiting just a few Nationwide Parks.
Seashores close to Cape Le Grand Nationwide Park
Fortunate Bay
Fortunate Bay is likely one of the most iconic seashores in Esperance, because of the pictures shared on social media of individuals chilling on the seaside with wild kangaroos. You may’t get rather more Australian than that!
In 2023, Fortunate Bay was awarded the title of the highest rated seaside on the planet in Banana Boat’s annual World’s 50 Finest Seashores record
We visited Fortunate Bay on two events to try to see the kangaroos. On our second try, we have been fortunate to identify one lone little kangaroo on the seaside close to the bushes.
We’d heard from folks tenting there all week that they didn’t see any all the time so I believe we received very fortunate!
Sadly evidently the kangaroos spend much less time on the seaside as a result of improve in variety of guests. Your finest possibilities of seeing the kangaroos of Fortunate Bay is early mornings or late afternoons, or when there may be much less folks round (corresponding to through the winter months).
The sand at Fortunate Bay is extremely effective, powdery and a superb white that contrasts amazingly with the turquoise water. One other distinctive factor about Fortunate Bay is that you could drive out onto the seaside.
The sand is so effective it’s tremendous compacted, making it appropriate even for 2WDs.
We took our 2WD SUV out onto the primary few hundred metres of the seaside. That was sufficient for us! We noticed many 4WDs head additional up the seaside the place the sand isn’t as compact.
Fortunate Bay campground is positioned within the bushes behind the seaside – remember to e book upfront as this campground is a well-liked one for good purpose! Bookings are launched 180 days (6 months) upfront.
Close to the campground are services together with bathrooms, BBQs and picnic benches.
Tip: The Fortunate Bean café van units up on the seaside through the months of September – April for these wanting a espresso or a snack.
Hellfire Bay
Hellfire Bay is positioned close to Fortunate Bay, so you need to plan to see each in the identical go to.
Hellfire Bay is smaller than Fortunate Bay, however with sensible blue water and normally much less folks! Amenities at Hellfire Bay embody bathrooms and BBQ with some picnic benches.
One among my favorite issues about this seaside is the brief hike by way of the bush to achieve one other seaside, the aptly named Little Hellfire Bay.
Little Hellfire Bay
A reasonably straightforward 15 minute hike from Hellfire Bay will lead you to Little Hellfire Bay.
There are some superb scenic views at the beginning of the path overlooking Hellfire Bay. This brief part of path is part of the longer Coastal Path from Rossiter Bay to Le Grand Seashore.
Little Hellfire Bay is a small seaside, however with fascinating rocks you may stroll over and discover.
Thistle Cove
Thistle Cove is closest to Fortunate Bay, and is far smaller and secluded with no services. We ended up having this place to ourselves for many of our go to.
Close to the carpark, there’s a brief path to the left that takes you to the Whistling Rock. A large rock with an uncommon form, the rock is claimed to whistle with the wind.
Down the trail to the left there may be one other pretty straightforward stroll to get down a big, sloping rock boulder to the seaside. Right here you’ll see a small recent water creek flowing in direction of the seaside.
Le Grand Seashore
One other lengthy stretch of seaside, and positioned a bit separate to the opposite seashores in Cape Le Grand seaside. You may really 4WD drive all the way in which alongside this seaside to Wylie Bay on the very fringe of the Nationwide Park.
That is the situation for the opposite campground in Cape Le Grand Nationwide Park aside from Fortunate Bay.
Wharton Seashore
Positioned close to the Duke of Orleans Bay, this seaside is the furthest away at round an hours drive from Esperance. The water right here seems unimaginable, with the lengthy sheltered bay making nice swimming situations.
That is one other seaside the place you will see that 4WDs traversing the size.
Ensure that to cease by on the Condingup Tavern on the way in which in or out to Wharton Seashore. I’ve heard nice issues concerning the scones and burgers right here!
Wylie Bay
Wylie Bay is positioned simply earlier than the beginning of the Nationwide Park, and is a 15 minute drive from city through Bandy Creek Rd.
This spot is exclusive as a result of in the event you come on the proper time, there’s a sandbar you may stroll throughout to a big rock formation about 50 metres from the shoreline.
This seaside can also be 4WD accessible. In our 2WD, we parked on the street and walked all the way down to the seaside on a 4WD observe over the dunes.
Tip: Test the time of low tide earlier than visiting right here to verify the sandbar goes to be seen and accessible.
Seashores on the Nice Ocean Drive
West Seashore
The primary cease alongside the Nice Ocean Drive loop, West Seashore is the closest seaside to Esperance city.
A well-liked browsing spot, with a number of wood staircases main all the way down to the water. West Seashore is likely one of the finest locations to observe the sundown in Esperance.
Blue Haven Seashore
The subsequent cease alongside the Nice Ocean Drive is the picturesque Blue Haven seaside. An extended, steep wood staircase leads all the way down to the sheltered seaside, surrounded by sloping rocks.
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Twilight Seashore
Twilight Seashore is likely one of the hottest seashores in Esperance, and doubtless takes the cake for the very best seaside in Esperance close to city.
It has an unusually formed giant rock formation about 100 metres from the shoreline. You would possibly even see some courageous folks leaping off into the blue waters beneath in the summertime months.
This spot is a favorite for locals and guests alike because of the calm waters and proximity to city.
This seaside is normally patrolled by surf lifesavers on weekends throughout summer season.
11 Mile Seashore & Lagoon
Eleven Mile Seashore turned my favorite seaside in Esperance!
I didn’t fairly know what to anticipate as I hadn’t heard as a lot about it as others, and it was the furthest seaside from city on the Nice Ocean Drive loop.
This seaside has giant flat rocks which create small rock swimming pools value exploring. The seaside on the left additionally adjustments dramatically with the tides, forming a pure lagoon at excessive tide.
The water within the lagoon was implausible for swimming and unbelievably crystal clear. We visited twice we liked it a lot! Don’t miss visiting this seaside when in Esperance.
Observatory Level Seashore & Lookout
While we didn’t make it all the way down to the water’s edge, ensure to go to this spot for the superb views from the lookout.
To the left you’ll discover a lengthy, winding wood staircase all the way down to the Level which is extremely scenic.
On the fitting stroll up the steps to the lookout and memorial commemorating naval explorers from the 1700’s. You would possibly get fortunate through the months of June by way of to October and spot whales from up right here too.
Last Ideas – Finest Seashores Esperance
Visiting Esperance had lengthy been on my bucket record and it was definitely worth the wait. The seashores and beautiful pure surroundings of the realm are like nothing else I’ve seen in Western Australia. Ensure that so as to add these high seashores in Esperances to your record in your subsequent go to. Completely satisfied adventuring!