Duke Head (WA 605) is a low sand spit that forms the western side of Hardy Inlet. The spit trends to the southwest, curving round for 1.3 km to terminate against the low granulite rocks that dominate the shore for 4 km to the south. Near the entrance the tidal currents and periodic high waves produce a dynamic inlet, with shifting channels and bars. Extreme care, local knowledge and low wave conditions are required to cross the entrance bar by boat. The beach near the entrance can vary considerably in width and only becomes more stable a few hundred metres south of the inlet, where rocks increasingly outcrop along and off the beach. Waves decrease from about 1.5 m at the inlet to less that 1 m at the southern end of the beach. The beach also changes from a 50 m wide bar with 2 to 3 beach rips in the north, to a continuous low tide terrace and occasional boulders south of Dere Reef. During higher swell and the right bar conditions the river mouth can provide some good surf. The beach is backed by a narrow foreshore reserve, Albany Terrace and a Lions Park, with good access to the entire beach. In lee of Dere Reef is The Landing Place, where the ship ’Emily Taylor’ landed the first European settlers in 1830.
Beach Length: 1.3km
Patrols
There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach. Please take the time to browse the Surf Safety section of this website to learn more about staying safe when swimming at Australian beaches.
Click here to visit general surf education information.
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.