Best Beaches on the Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula has some of the best beaches in Australia with an array of different beaches, with something for everybody. The beaches range from the thundering surf of the Southern Peninsula to the calm sandy beaches of Port Phillip Bay to the tranquillity of Western Port. Whether it`s swimming, surfing or just a nice stroll along the beach you are after, the Peninsula is the perfect spot to suit your tastes.

Here is a look at the best beaches the Mornington Peninsula has to offer

Bay Beach

Frankston Beach offers stretches of clear shallow water and soft sand, great for young and old. It is a perfect spot for family picnics, or a lazy day of lounging in the sun. Frankston has a 200m pier and waterfront boardwalk and is also located close to the Frankston CBD with plenty of food options, from take-away to restaurants.

Rye Beach also offers stretches of clear shallow water and soft sand, great for young children with sand banks and beautiful warm water. There are lots of gems hidden behind the tea trees and a little walk from your car park will lead you to a wonderful discovery.





Surf Beach

Gunnamatta Surf Beach and Portsea Surf Beach are two of the best surf beaches in Victoria. Located at opposite ends of the Mornington Peninsula National Park these spectacular beaches are renowned for their huge waves. Waves of 2m plus are not uncommon, making these beach breaks a must for experienced surfers. Both beaches are patrolled every day in the holiday period and at weekends up until Easter. Conditions can be hazardous for swimmers and swimming between the flags is a must. The best conditions for swimming are usually at low tide and on days with the Northerly wind blowing.

All Round Beach

Sorrento Ocean Beach also known as Sorrento Back Beach offers something for everybody. It`s famous rock pool makes for ideal swimming for kids of all ages, while surfing and swimming are also possible at the patrolled beach. It is a safer beach than Portsea and Gunnamatta, but can still be treacherous with best swimming conditions at low tide. There is a great walk up to the nearby Coppins Lookout, which offers majestic views of the ocean from Pt Nepean to Cape Schanck.

Swimming Beach

Pt Leo Surf Beach is an ideal middle beach for swimmers. It doesn`t have the rips and huge waves of Portsea and Gunnamatta, or the tame gentle waters of Port Phillip. Located in Western Port and facing Bass Strait this beach still attracts waves and is ideal for bodysurfers and less experienced surfers, while also still being patrolled for swimmers.



Walking Beaches

There are some great walking beaches and walks on the Mornington Peninsula. London Bridge in Portsea provides amazing rock formations and plenty of rockpools for the kids to explore, and its only a 20 minute walk back along the beach to Portsea Surf Beach. Koonya Ocean Beach in Blairgowrie is another spectacular beach to walk along, but is not for swimming as it is one of the most dangerous beaches of the peninsula. At one end of the beach a track leads to Spray Point where huge waves regularly crash against the rocks below.

Frankston Waterfront Festival