Lucky Bay is abay located at33°59′40″S122°13′57″E / 33.99444°S 122.23250°E /-33.99444; 122.23250[1] on thesouth coast of Western Australia, in theCape Le Grand National Park.[2] Located southeast ofEsperance, the bay is atourist spot known for its bright white sands andturquoise-coloured waters.
In May 2023, Lucky Bay was voted as the best beach in the world in a study based on the votes of over 750 travel professionals.[3][4]
Matthew Flinders had sailed into the hazardousArchipelago of the Recherche, and he found his ship surrounded by islands and rocks with nightfall coming on. He named this area "Lucky Bay" when his vesselHMS Investigator took refuge after a summer storm.[5] Recounting the adventure, he wrote the following:
"The chart alone can give any adequate idea of this labyrinth of islands and rocks.... Seeing no probability of reaching a space of clear water in which to stand off and on during the night, and no prospect of shelter under any of the islands, I found myself under the necessity of adopting a hazardous measure; and with the concurrence of the master's opinion, we steered directly before the wind for the main coast, where the appearance of some beaches, behind other islands, gave a hope of finding anchorage. At seven in the evening we entered a small sandy bay; and finding it sheltered everywhere except to the south-westward, in which direction there were many islands and rocks in the offing to break off the sea, the anchor was dropped in 7 fathoms, sandy bottom. The master sounded round the ship, but nothing was found to injure the cables; and except the water being shallow in the north-west corner of the bay, there was no danger to be apprehended, unless from strong south-west winds. The critical circumstance under which this place was discovered induced me to give it the name ofLucky Bay."[6]
In 2017 it was scientifically tested as having the whitest sand in Australia, possibly the world, knockingHyams Beach inNSW off its perch. Lucky Bay was ahead of Hellfire Bay andTallebudgera Creek Beach in Queensland, with Hyams Beach coming at fifth place. The test was conducted bysoil science consultant Noel Schoknecht. Samples were amassed from the top 10cm in the "active zone" between the water and the sand dunes. Schoknecht said the whitest sands are usually made up of fine grains of milky or frostedquartz and a lack of adulteration.[7]
The beach is known for its pure white sand and clear tranquil waters bay. It is ideal for swimming,snorkelling,fishing, surfing, launching small boats and also forcamping andwhale watching. Nearby there aresolar powered showers andpublic toilets. Kangaroos may be present in the beach area.
