13 Best Esperance Beaches for Sun Lovers & Surfers

Visiting Western Australia soon and wondering about the beaches in Esperance to visit? Lucky for you, Esperance is a beach lover’s dream come true. Here are my favourite Esperance beaches.

If there’s one place in Western Australia that left me absolutely speechless, it’s Esperance. Known for having some of the whitest sand and clearest turquoise water in the world, this coastal gem is home to beaches so stunning they barely look real.

I spent five unforgettable days exploring the coastline in early November, hopping between hidden coves, dramatic rock formations, and calm swimming bays. What makes Esperance beaches so special isn’t just their beauty, it’s the variety.

On the west side, the Great Ocean Drive delivers incredible lookouts and surf breaks. To the east, Cape Le Grand National Park is home to postcard-perfect spots like Lucky Bay, where kangaroos nap on the sand.

And right in town, Main Beach is perfect for a quick dip or sunset stroll.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the best beaches in Esperance, including what makes each one unique and insider tips I picked up along the way.

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Best Esperance Beaches West of Downtown

These Esperance beaches are all located along the Esperance Great Ocean Drive (best explored with your WA car hire from Perth) and make for a perfect beach hopping day in Western Australia. This is also the way to go for surfers of every level.

1. West Beach

West Beach was the very first stop on my Esperance beach-hopping adventure, and it set the bar sky-high.

With its sweeping arc of white sand, dramatic granite headlands, and crystal-clear waves, this beach is a favourite among local surfers. My husband paddled out here for a surf session while I walked along the shoreline, soaking in the scenery.

The waves here can be powerful, making it best suited to experienced surfers, but it’s also a fantastic spot to watch the surf, stretch your legs, or enjoy a quiet morning walk.

Parking is easy and close to the sand, and the elevated lookout above the beach offers incredible photo opportunities, especially at sunrise or sunset when the water glows turquoise.

Insider tip: Bring a windbreaker. This stretch of coast can get breezy, even on sunny days.

2. Salmon Beach

Just a short drive from West Beach, Salmon Beach is a gorgeous, lesser-known stretch of coastline that feels a bit more wild and rugged. It’s framed by rolling dunes and turquoise water that shifts shades with the sunlight.

This is another popular spot for experienced surfers, but it’s equally great for a scenic walk or relaxing on the sand with a book.

When I visited, there were only a handful of people around, which made it feel wonderfully secluded. The elevated car park provides a spectacular panoramic view, making it a perfect stop for photographers.

3. Fourth Beach

Fourth Beach is where Esperance really starts to show off.

Long, wide, and impossibly blue, it’s a favourite with both locals and travellers for its calm, clear water and relaxed atmosphere. When I visited, I loved strolling the length of the beach barefoot, watching the waves roll in. There was absolutely no one else there, so it felt like my own personal Esperance beach.

This beach is ideal for swimming on calm days, picnicking, or simply stretching out on the soft white sand. Its gentle curve creates a bit of natural shelter, so it often feels more peaceful than nearby surf spots.

Insider tip: If you’ve got a 4WD and the conditions are right, this is one of the most popular beaches for driving right onto the sand. Just make sure to check the tides before you go.

4. Twilight Beach

If I had to pick the most iconic beach west of Esperance, it would be Twilight Beach. With its brilliant turquoise water, sugar-white sand, and the distinctive granite boulders just offshore, it looks like something straight out of a travel magazine.

This is one of the safest swimming beaches in the area thanks to its sheltered bay, making it perfect for families, couples, or anyone wanting a leisurely dip. I spent an afternoon here swimming in the calm water and lounging on the sand, and it easily became one of my favourites along our Western Australia road trip.

Arrive in the late morning or early afternoon when the sun hits the water just right. It lights up in vivid shades of blue and green that are unreal in photos (and even better in person).

This is a perfect midday picnic stop if you’re driving the Great Ocean Drive loop.

5. Observatory Point Beach

Observatory Point Beach offers one of the best panoramic coastal views along Esperance’s Great Ocean Drive. Perched beneath a scenic lookout, the beach is backed by rolling dunes and granite cliffs, creating a wild and dramatic atmosphere.

I loved walking down the staircase from the lookout to the sand—it’s a bit steeper than other access points, but the reward is a quiet stretch of beach where you’ll often have the place to yourself. It’s great for beach walks, photography, or just sitting and watching the surf crash against the rocks.

Insider tip: Don’t skip the lookout at the top of the hill before heading down. It’s one of the best spots on the drive for wide-angle photos of Esperance’s coastline.

6. Nine Mile Beach

Nine Mile Beach is a true hidden gem west of Esperance, offering a peaceful, unspoiled stretch of sand that feels far removed from the crowds. It’s a popular spot with locals for fishing, 4WDing, and leisurely walks along the shoreline.

When I visited, I loved how calm and quiet it felt compared to Twilight or West Beach. The water here is typically gentler, making it ideal for a refreshing swim on a warm day. The surrounding dunes and rock formations add to its natural beauty, making it a stunning spot for sunset.

If you have a 4WD, you can access sections of the beach directly by car, but check the tides and bring recovery gear if needed. Otherwise, there’s plenty of parking nearby for easy access on foot.

7. Ten Mile Lagoon

Just a bit further along the Great Ocean Drive, Ten Mile Lagoon is one of Esperance’s most unique beaches. A natural granite breakwater shelters the lagoon, creating a calm, crystal-clear pool that’s perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

It feels almost like a giant natural ocean bath.

I spent a sunny afternoon floating in the turquoise water here, and it was one of the most relaxing moments of my trip. The granite rocks also make this beach especially photogenic, with dramatic contrasts between the white sand, deep blue ocean, and rugged coastline.

Insider tip: Visit in the morning or early afternoon for the calmest water. The wind tends to pick up later in the day, and early light makes the water glow brilliantly.

8. Eleven Mile Beach

Eleven Mile Beach is a quiet, lesser-visited spot that offers a beautiful blend of rocky outcrops and sandy coves, perfect if you want a more tranquil beach experience. It’s not quite as well-known as nearby Twilight or Ten Mile Lagoon, but that’s part of its charm.

When I stopped here, I found sheltered pockets that felt almost private. The water was calm, ideal for a quick dip or snorkel, and the granite formations create some striking scenery for photos. It’s also a great place to just sit back and watch the changing colours of the water throughout the day.

Best Esperance Beaches East of Downtown

The beaches east of downtown Esperance are expansive, postcard-perfect spots. You may even see kangaroos on the beach!

9. Lucky Bay

Lucky Bay is the crown jewel of Esperance’s east side and arguably one of the most famous beaches in Australia and what most visitors come to Esperance to do.

With its powder-white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and the occasional kangaroo lazing on the beach, it’s postcard perfection in real life.

I spent an entire day here swimming, relaxing, and taking about a hundred photos of the ridiculously blue water.

The beach is incredibly wide and flat, making it perfect for long walks and 4WD access (with a valid permit and proper gear). There’s also a small kiosk nearby serving coffee. Yes, coffee with a kangaroo view.

Insider tip: Arrive early in the morning if you want to see the kangaroos on the sand and snag the best parking spots, especially during summer.

10. Thistle Cove

Thistle Cove is a breathtaking, more rugged and untouched beach within Cape Le Grand National Park. Surrounded by dramatic granite formations and backed by pristine bushland, it’s a spot that perfectly captures Esperance’s wild beauty.

When I visited, my mom and I followed the short trail down from the car park to the beach and were met with powdery white sand and crystal-clear waves crashing against smooth boulders. It’s a fantastic place for photography, walking, or just sitting quietly and listening to the natural amphitheatre effect of the cove.

It can get windy in the afternoons, so aim to visit earlier in the day.

If you have time, take the short walk to Whistling Rock nearby to hear the wind echo through the granite.

11. Hellfire Bay

Hellfire Bay is easily one of the most jaw-dropping beaches I’ve visited in Esperance. Tucked between granite headlands, it’s known for its vivid turquoise water, perfectly curved shoreline, and a peaceful, sheltered setting that makes it ideal for swimming.

We spent a good part of the day here, lounging on the soft white sand, taking dips in the clear water, and just soaking in the scenery. Despite its beauty, it felt far less crowded than Lucky Bay, which made it even more special.

Insider tip: Bring lunch or snacks. There’s a picnic shelter and BBQ area overlooking the bay, making it a perfect stop for a scenic midday break before exploring more of Cape Le Grand.

12. Cape Le Grand Beach

Cape Le Grand Beach is the kind of place that takes your breath away the moment you step onto the sand. Stretching for kilometres, this beach is famous for its powdery white sand and calm, clear water. Perfect for a swim or long walk along the shoreline.

What makes it extra special is that it’s one of the few beaches in the park where 4WD vehicles can drive right on the sand, making it a great spot for a bit of adventure if you have the right gear. I walked part of the stretch toward Lucky Bay and felt like I was on my own private coastline.

Downtown Esperance Beaches

13. Main Esperance Beach

Right in the heart of town, Main Esperance Beach is the perfect spot for an easy, relaxed beach day. Just steps from cafés, shops, and the foreshore path, it’s ideal if you want to go for a quick swim, enjoy a morning walk, or simply soak up the scenery without driving far.

The calm, shallow water makes it great for families, and the views out to the Recherche Archipelago are stunning.

Insider tip: Grab a coffee from one of the nearby cafés (Coffee Cat is my fave!) and enjoy it on the sand at sunrise.

Which Beach in Esperance is on Your Bucket List?

Esperance is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in Australia, and exploring them over five days was truly unforgettable.

From the surf breaks at West Beach to the world-famous turquoise water of Lucky Bay, each stretch of coastline has its own personality and charm.

What makes Esperance so special is that even its most iconic spots never feel overcrowded, and many beaches offer easy access, crystal-clear water, and stunning scenery just minutes from town.

Whether you’re after surfing, swimming, wildlife encounters, or just quiet moments on powdery white sand, there’s always something to do in Esperance.