Beaches & coastlines

Feel a million miles away from city life as you dive into the waters of the peninsula's countless sandy bay inlets and wild surf beaches.

Golden summers

Walk beyond the sandbars into gently lapping waves on the string of golden Port Phillip Bay beaches. These shores link Melbourne and Frankston, the inlets around Mount Eliza and Mount Martha, and on to the expanse from Safety Beach to Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento and Portsea.

Set up your sun shelter early in the morning alongside other holidaying families. Cool off in the water, play a bit of beach cricket or take a snorkel around the piers. Enjoy a lunchtime barbeque and then walk it off on a long stroll down the beach.

Wild ocean escapes

Chase the waves and collect driftwood on wintery walks against the backdrop of rocky, sea-battered basalt headlands between Cape Schanck and Point Nepean, epitomising the rugged nature of this famous coastline.

Get your board and tackle the surf crashing in from Bass Strait, ranked as one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water. Test your surf skills at the Gunnamatta, Portsea, Sorrento and Rye back beaches.

Many peninsula beaches are patrolled during peak holiday times, though some surf beaches are not suitable for swimming. Check safety signs and beware of strong rips and reefs.

Port Phillip Bay beaches

Frankston
Long, wide bay beaches ideal for swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailboarding and yachting, featuring boat launching facilities and foreshore reserves. Lifesavers patrol in summer.

Mount Eliza
Small bay beaches can be found between Mount Eliza and Mornington including Daveys, Canadian and Half Moon bays, Ranelagh and Sunnyside beaches.

Mornington
Safe swimming beaches located around the harbour and nearby areas include Mills, Scout, Shire Hall, Mothers, Royal and Fishermans beaches. Yacht and boat facilities are available, plus foreshore reserves, picnic and barbecue facilities, a boardwalk and lookouts around Schnapper Point. Mills Beach patrolled in summer.

Mount Martha
A series of safe, sandy bay beaches with yacht and boating facilities, foreshore reserves with picnic and barbecue facilities, and a coastal walking path. Patrolled in summer.

Dromana
Popular camping area and beach stretching from Safety Beach to Anthonys Nose, featuring reserves with picnic shelters, barbecues and playgrounds. Patrolled weekends in summer.

Rosebud
A popular family swimming beach on the bay, protected by offshore sandbars. Shaded foreshore reserves have picnic, barbecue and play facilities. Patrolled weekends in summer.

Rye
Wide, sandy bay beach with a large foreshore reserve and jetty. Picnic and barbecue facilities, extensive boat launching, washing and parking facilities and a cycling and walking track.

Safety Beach
Calm, sandy bay swimming beach popular for boating, with a foreshore reserve and childrens playground.

Blairgowrie
Sandy bay beach with barbecue and picnic facilities in the foreshore reserve, a boat ramp suitable for small craft and a walking and cycling track.

Sorrento Front Beach
Popular bay beach and holiday destination. Also the departure point for the Queenscliff-Sorrento car and passenger ferry. Features foreshore reserves, picnic and barbecue facilities, boat launching and yachting facilities, and a cycling and walking track.

Portsea Front Beach
Popular bay beach and holiday destination features wide foreshore reserves with picnic and barbecue facilities.

Ocean beaches

Portsea Surf Beach
Part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, this popular surf beach can be treacherous at times. Patrolled in summer.

Sorrento Ocean Beach
Part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, this popular surf beach features picnic and barbecue areas, kiosk and tea rooms. Patrolled in summer.

Flinders Ocean Beach
Part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, this protected sandy bay beach and foreshore reserve has picnic, barbecue and play facilities, and a boat ramp.

Shoreham Beach
Steep, sandy, pine-tree framed beaches are located around the mouth of Stony Creek. Rocky platforms and reefs are popular for family exploration. The foreshore reserve has picnic and barbecue facilities.

Point Leo Surf Beach
This popular surf beach has swells rolling in from Bass Strait, while the foreshore reserve has picnic, barbecue and play facilities, a kiosk and camping area. Patrolled in summer.

Westernport Bay beaches

Merricks Beach
A safe sandy bay beach with walking tracks through a wide foreshore reserve to beach.

Balnarring Beach
Popular beach with well-vegetated sand dunes, camping and caravan parks, and a foreshore reserve with picnic, barbecue and play facilities.

Somers Beach
Popular sandy beach with picnic and barbecue facilities within a wide foreshore reserve.

For more information and safety guidance, visit beachsafe.org.au.

Plan before you go: Be sure to check weather and terrain conditions and pack plenty of water before you embark on an outdoor adventure. Stay up-to-date with the latest warnings and advice via the Parks Victoria and Vic Emergency websites.