Beach Number:

wa0097

Includes Beaches:

Alexander Bay (3)

State/Region:

WA - Howick

Post Code:

6450

General Beach Hazard Rating:

3/10 ( Least hazardous)

Beach

Beach WA 97 extends from the western side of the islet for 1.1 km, curving round in lee of the western granite headland to face east. Waves average about 1 m and break across a low gradient bar and beach face, decreasing into the western corner in lee of the point and Ben Island. The vehicle track reaches this lower energy end of the beach with access to the beach. Several informal campsites are located in the coastal heath behind the beach, which is used to launch small boats. Seagrass meadows lie just off the beach and seagrass debris also increases in presence towards the western end of the beach where it can from a low berm. It is backed by dense coastal scrub that covers the siltstone slopes, which rise to 50 m. To the west of Ben Island the coast trends due west for 12 km before curving round to the lee of Table Island. In between is 16 km of predominately sandy shoreline occupied by seven beaches (WA 98-104), each separated by relatively small granite headlands and rocks. The granite also outcrops offshore as numerous small islands, the largest being the Mart Islands located 12 km south of Table Island. These islands, as well as the large protrusion of Hammer Head, act to increasingly lower waves from east to west along the beaches. There is rough vehicle access to beach WA 98 and formed access to beaches WA 101 to 104.