Esperance is a small coastal town located in the south of Western Australia and is an absolute dream destination. It's home to some of the most pristine beaches in Australia, boasting powdery white sand and tropical turquoise waters. After spending two summers in Esperance, these are the best Esperance beaches that you can't miss.

Best time to visit Esperance

The best time to visit Esperance is during the warmer months between December and April. These months are the warmest, with high chance of clear skies and good weather. Winter in Esperance can be quite cold and there's a high chance of rain which isn't ideal to explore this tropical paradise.

We visited Esperance from January till April and the weather was beautiful. We only had a couple days of rain during our 3 months in Esperance. Like most places in Western Australia, Esperance can be quite windy in the afternoons so we definitely recommend starting your days early in the mornings to get the most out of it.

How many days do you need to see Esperance?

We recommend spending at least 5 days in Esperance to be able to explore all of the best beaches. Plus you'll want to make the most out of the long drive from Perth. You can easily spend more than a week here, but 5 days will give you enough time to check out Cape Le Grand National Park, as well as the various beaches along the Great Ocean Drive. 

Top 10 Esperance Beaches To Visit This Summer

Wharton Beach

What better way to start off this list with not just one of the best beaches in Esperance, but arguably the best beach in Australia. After all our travels around Australia, there’s nothing that compares to Wharton beach. It’s easily one of the best Esperance beaches as it ticks all the boxes. Like most of the beaches in the region, you’ll find pristine white sand and shades of turquoise you’ve never seen. What makes this beach so special is that it’s also dog friendly, it’s 4WD accessible and there are even some waves for a fun surf session. Nothing beats parking up on Wharton beach to spend the day soaking up the sun with endless ocean dips and days full of catching small longboard waves.

The corner of the beach is protected by strong winds and is usually shallow, making it a great place for swimming and even snorkelling along the rocks. The only downside is that it’s quite far away from town, but trust us when we say the 50-minute drive will be worth it. Don’t miss Wharton beach on your next visit to Esperance this summer!

Twilight Beach

Twilight beach is one of the most iconic Esperance beaches. You’ll instantly recognise the unique boulder with the large hole amongst the turquoise water. The rock is a popular spot for people to do some cliff jumping. For the adventurous souls, you’ll have to swim out 100m and climb the rock but you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views overlooking the beach. The protected bay is often sheltered from large swell, making it the ideal place for families and people looking for a relaxing swim.

Accessed from the same twilight beach carpark, Picnic cove is another beach that many people miss. Although not as spectacular as Twilight, this beach is our go to for catching the sunset.

West Beach

West beach is one of the closest beaches in Esperance town. It’s the first beach along the great ocean drive and a great introduction to the coastline. Just a quick 5 minute drive and you’ll be greeted with idyllic views overlooking the beach from the top of the stairs. The beach is also dog friendly, and you'll often see many locals walking their dogs along this stunning coastline.

On the left there are massive cliff faces which really put into perspective the unique landscape around Esperance. To the right of the beach there is a reef that creates the perfect lagoon for sheltered swimming. Be careful of strong currents as the water makes its way back out through the split in the reef. The far right is known as Chapmans point and is where you’ll be able to score yourself some waves on a good day.

Blue Haven

As the name implies, this beach is an absolute haven, with idyllic turquoise water and calm bays for swimming. The large staircase leading down to the beach is the ultimate viewpoint for what awaits below. Blue Haven beach is another popular stop along the great ocean drive and there’s not much parking so we’d recommend visiting outside of peak times or early in the morning.

The rocks along the right of the beach are a very popular spot for people to set up for the day. It’s the perfect place to go for a dip and soak up the warmth of the sun along the flat rocks.

9 Mile Beach And Lagoon

Continuing along the great ocean drive, 9 Mile Beach and lagoon is where the beaches start to become less crowded and more rugged. This beach is also a great spot for surfing. The ocean on this side can be quite rough, so if you’re not a confident swimmer you can keep walking along the beach until you reach the lagoon. The reef creates the perfect calm swimming spot where you’ll have your own secluded swimming hole.

The 9 Mile Beach carpark is also a great spot to view the sunset in Esperance. With incredible views overlooking the rugged ocean, it's a great place to finish off the day. 

11 Mile Beach And Lagoon

Located at the end of the great ocean drive, 11 Mile Beach and lagoon is the ultimate place to escape the crowds. On one side you have a large blue lagoon, perfect for a relaxing swim. On the other side is a large stretch of sand with rock pools for you to explore. The beach is also 4WD accessible, although the entrance is very steep and soft so we left it to the more experienced.

11 Mile Beach and lagoon is one of our favourite beaches in Esperance when we want to escape the crowds. Having the two different options also helps with the wind as one side is usually calm. It's also dog friendly which is a bonus.

Wylie Bay

Wylie Bay is another unique beach just on the outskirts of Esperance. It’s known for 4WDing where you can park your car on a small sand bank leading to some boulders. You’ll be surrounded by turquoise waters on either side. Additionally, there are some large sand dunes in the area which were some of the nicest we’ve seen. The sand is bright white and if you make your way to the top of a dune, you’ll have panoramic views of the ocean close by.

Lucky Bay

Famous for the kangaroos on the beach, Lucky Bay should be number one on your list of Esperance beaches to visit. Seeing the kangaroos hop along the pristine white sand with the tropical waters in the background was the highlight of our trip. For the best chance at seeing kangaroos on the beach, we recommend going early in the morning or late evening when there are less people around. We didn’t have to go far to find them. We were lucky enough to see them at the entrance to the beach on our evening walk.

You'll also be able to drive on the beach and since the sand is usually hard, most 2WD vehicles will be fine but it's always best to check conditions.

Lucky bay is located in the national park so fees apply. There is also a campground at Lucky Bay, although it is extremely popular so you’ll have to book far in advance. A good tip if there are no available campsites is to keep refreshing the booking page everyday. There are usually cancellations so you might get lucky. You can check Lucky Bay Campground availability here.

Hellfire Bay

Also located in the national park, Hellfire Bay is a pristine beach with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Once again, you’ll have the clearest water and softest sand with plenty of space for you to enjoy. Additionally, there is a short 20 minute hike from Hellfire Beach carpark to Little Hellfire Beach for an even more secluded spot. There are great facilities here including a BBQ area with picnic tables and toilets.

Thistle Cove

Thistle Cove is one of the lesser known spots to visit in Cape Le Grand National park but is equally as stunning. The secluded cove offers the perfect spot to swim amongst the granite boulders. A short walk from the car park leads you to this incredible spot, where you can relax, swim, or simply soak in the natural beauty. Be sure not to miss whistling rock while you're there. This unique and quirky attraction is also a quick walk from the carpark. The rock is known for its whistling sounds it produces when the wind passes through its crevices.

You can also access Thistle Cove via the coastal walk trail from the campsite at Lucky Bay. It's an easy 4km return trail that takes about 1.5 hours to complete.

Where To Stay In Esperance

Camping options are limited in Esperance. Caravan parks are your main option in town which start from $40 per site. This can add up quickly but you'll have access to all of the basic ammenities. This includes drinking water, power, hot showers and laundry machines. You'll also be close to the beaches as well as shops and restaurants.

One of our favourites is RAC Esperance Holiday Park which has something for everyone and is located close to town. Their facilities are great and modern. They also have plenty of cabins and sites to choose from, as well as a pool and large kitchen/games area.

Your other option is to camp in Cape Le Grand National Park. Lucky Bay Campground and Le Grand Beach Campground both cost $20 per person per night plus $17 for a car pass. They have solar powered showers and clean amenities blocks but no drinking water. Spots book out fast during peak seasons, so it's best to book in advance. You can also try your luck at refreshing the booking site every day to try and secure any cancellations.

For more accommodation options in Esperance, you can check here.

Want to find more inspiration for Australia travel destinations?

We have plenty of other blogs on the best travel destinations in Australia or check out our instagram @lolahubner for daily Australia travel content. 

Like this post? Pin it for later and share it with others!