Vivonne Bay

Most tours of Kangaroo Island’s south shore include a stop at Vivonne Bay, and the U-shaped beach has almost 4 miles (6 kilometers) of sandy shores to explore. Cool off with a swim, make the most of the consistent surf, or set out on a hike or ATV ride along the coast. Crayfishing boats set sail from Vivonne Bay jetty, and it’s possible to spot migrating southern right whales and humpback whales, as well as dolphins, from the shore. Nearby, Seal Bay is another wildlife-watching hot spot, known for its colony of Australian sea lions, while the Little Sahara sand dunes are just a 10-minute drive away.

• Vivonne Bay is undeveloped and unpatrolled, so you won’t find restrooms, showers, or other tourist facilities here. Bring everything you need with you.

• Travelers staying in Vivonne Bay can pitch a tent just steps from the ocean at the popular Vivonne Bay campground, or share a romantic balcony with a view from the handful of coastal lodges.

• The beach is reached by an unpaved road and surrounded by rocky coastline, so it is not easily accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

Vivonne Bay is located along the south coast of Kangaroo Island, about midway between the ferry port and Flinders Chase National Park. It’s about a 75-minute drive from Penneshaw, but there’s no public transportation on the island, so you’ll need your own vehicle or to join a tour.

Vivonne Bay fills up with sunseekers on summer and holiday weekends, but the rest of the time, it’s surprisingly easy to find a quiet patch of sand. Time your visit for the winter whale migration (May through September) for the best wildlife-watching opportunities, or hit the beach during the sunny summer months. Whatever time of year you visit, be sure to stick around for sunset—the views over the bay are renowned.

Just north of Vivonne Bay, the looming sand dunes of Little Sahara are one of Kangaroo Island’s most impressive natural wonders. Towering up to 250 feet (76 meters) high, the dunes form a scenic backdrop for electric fat bike and buggy tours, and guided bushwalks through the surrounding gum forests (a popular place for wild koala sightings). But by far the most popular activity is sandboarding or tobogganing down the dunes—adrenaline rush guaranteed!