Smiths Beach (Phillip Island)

Smiths Beach offers a usually gentler surf with strong rips and currents, more suited for families and younger surfers. The beach has a General Hazard Rating of 5/10 (Moderately hazardous).

Smith Beach is a 1 km long, south-west facing beach that fronts the Smith Beach and Beachcomber Estates. Smith Beach Road runs to a large car park on the 20 m bluffs behind the centre of the beach. The beach receives wave averaging 1 m, which combine with the relatively fine sand to form a wide, low gradient beach, with a wide, shallow attached bar. Rips run out against the eastern reef and the western Smith Point.

It's consistent, quality waves are ideal for beginners to advanced surfers, bodyboarders, stand up paddle boarders and swimmers. During low tide you can explore the rock pools at both ends of the beach, and its larger pools are also ideal for snorkelling.

A popular beach for surfing, swimming, body boarding, stand up paddle boarding, rock pooling, snorkelling, beach walks, fishing and beach games.

There are toilets, change rooms, cold water outdoor showers, sealed car park and the local store provides hot and cold food, drinks and coffee.

Surfboards, paddle boards, wetsuits and surfing lessons are available for hire through the local surf shop.

Beach Patrol
Smiths Beach is patrolled over the summer period (27 December to 25 January) by the Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club. Lifesavers are only on duty when the red and yellow flags are displayed. Remember to always swim between the flags. Patrol Calendar.

Swimming
Moderately safe on the inner portion of the bar and clear of the rocks and rips. Stay in the patrolled area between the flags.

Surfing
The shallow bars produce a wide beach break more suitable for learners.

Fishing
The platforms and reefs at each end offer the best spots.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted on the beach 7am-10am and 5pm-8pm only. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Review:

Near the large carpark is an unshaded table, toilets, beach shower and water tap. An all-access ramp leads down to the long sandy beach as well as a set of stairs leading from the other end of the carpark. This is the most popular beach on Phillip Island and is patrolled over the holiday period which makes it a great option for swimming with a degree of safety. At low tide there are rockpools to investigate but they are quite a walk away (towards the YCW beach).