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. read more

Beach Length: 1.3km