Shell Beach

Part of Francois Peron National Park and Shark Bay World Heritage Site, aptly-named Shell Beach is covered in nothing by cockle shells for at least 60 kilometres (exact measurements vary), and to a depth of up to 10 metres, so don’t arrive expecting to find sand!

One of only two beaches like this in the world, Shell Beach is the result of an area of highly saline ocean, which allowed the billions of cockles needed to cover it to multiply happily without the threat of predation. It also means that entering the water here is more akin to floating than swimming.

At the southern end of Shell Beach there’s an electric fence. Part of Project Eden, it seeks to stop non-native animals from reaching the Peron Peninsula, returning the point to its native environment.

Shell Beach is accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles, but is purely a day beach. There is a pit toilet, but camping is not permitted.