Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Shire of Esperance, Australia.

Recherche Archipelago is a nature reserve along Western Australia's coast comprising more than 100 islands and thousands of reefs and rocky outcrops scattered across the ocean. The waters around these landforms support diverse marine life and create a complex coastal ecosystem.

The area was inhabited by people around 13,000 years ago, as shown by stone tools discovered on one of the islands. Official protection of the region came in the mid-20th century.

The reserve lies in the traditional sea country of the Esperance Nyungar people, who call the archipelago Wudjari. The islands are named on charts after French vessels of the 1792 Bruni d'Entrecasteaux expedition, including L'Espérance and Recherche.

Visits to the area are restricted and usually available only to select islands through licensed guides. Travelers should expect strict environmental guidelines since the ecosystem here is sensitive to human activity.

The reserve covers 230 km from east to west and reaches up to 50 km from the mainland coast, taking in at least 104 islands and at least 1,200 reefs, islets and rocks. It is classified as an IUCN Category Ia protected area, the strictest category, which is why access is so limited.