36: Visit a beach made entirely of shells (WA)

Dawdling along the sand, picking up shells from the seashore and carefully examining the hollow casings is a universal beachcombing activity. So where better to do it than the unimaginatively-but-appropriately-named Shell Beach in WA?

One of only two beaches of its kind in the world, Shell Beach is a brilliant white stretch of what at first looks like snow, but upon closer inspection is millions and millions of tiny white cockle shells. This particular type of cockle – the Cardiid – is hardy enough to withstand the unusually high salinity of the waters of L’Haridon Bight here in Shark Bay, and its predators are not. The result is this stunning natural phenomenon.

35 << Cage dive with sharks         Something-for-everyone resorts >> 37

Back to 101 Unforgettable Coastal Experiences