Cowes West Beaches (Phillip Island)
The Anderson Road to Red Rocks beaches (between Penguin Point and Richardson Point) in Cowes are popular with families due to their low waves and stunning coastal views of French Island and the Mornington Peninsula. It is a 0.6km strip of usually quiet sandy beaches. Popular beach activities here include swimming, sailing, stand up paddle boarding, beach walks, jet skiing, fishing, beach games, boating and exploring the red rocks at low tide. Anderson Road beach is also home to a jetty and the boat ramp with boat hire facilities.
The three beaches are all relatively narrow and steep, with low rocky points and reef flats forming the boundaries. The flats are exposed at low tide almost continuously east of Red Rock. Waves are usually low, with wind waves being the dominant process. A series of roads runs behind the beaches with car parks at Red Rock Point, Sheoak Beach and toward Richardson Point, where there is also a boat ramp.
Boat hire (no license required), paddle boats, kayaks, beach chairs, shelters, towels, snorkelling gear and surfmats are available from the Anderson Road Beach store. Food is available at Anderson Road store, offering food, hot and cold drinks, bait, sunscreen, ice and fishing licences.
Toilets are available at Anderson Road and Penguin Avenue.
Location of beaches:
Swimming
Relatively safe beaches with deep, calm water against the beach at high tide, and extensive reef flats exposed at low tide. Tidal currents in the Western Passage parallel the beaches.
Surfing
None.
Fishing
Best close inshore at high tide, otherwise off the reef flats at low tide. However, beware of tidal currents flowing parallel to the beach.
General Hazard Rating: 3/10
Location
1 Anderson Road, Cowes 3922 Map
Web Links
→ Cowes West Beaches (BeachSafe)
