Summerlands Peninsula Beaches (Phillip Island)
Surfers are spoilt for choice along the Summerlands Peninsula, with a number of beaches featuring great waves for beginners and experienced surfers. These beaches are popular for surfing, beach walkers and fishing. Generally, swimming is only suitable when the waves are low during high tide. These beaches have strong rips and currents and are not patrolled by lifesavers. Access is via steep stairs.
Shelly Beach: A reef break offering nice waves for beginners and experienced surfboard riders. The steep descent will take you down to the 750 metre long sandy beach. Waves are generally low, averaging 0.5 metres and the beach is narrow and steep at high tide, while at low tide it widens a little, but is fronted by rock flats. Swimming is only suitable when the waves are low during high tide. There are toilets here and gravel parking. General Hazard Rating: 2/10 (Least hazardous).
Cat Bay: A reef break suitable for beginner to experienced surfers. The steep descent will take you down to the golden sandy beach where the waves are generally one metre, however only experienced surfers take on the summer swell when the south to east winds increase the swell to two metres. Swimming is only suitable when the waves are low during high tide. There is a sealed car park.
Flynns Beach: Known for its great waves for experienced surfers. The steep descent will take you down to a 1.3 kilometres long beach where waves average 0.6 metres. The northern and southern reefs produce a steep, narrow beach, which widens as the tide falls. Swimming is only suitable when the waves are low. There are toilets here and a sealed car park. General Hazard Rating: 4/10 (Moderately hazardous).
Summerlands Beach: 1.2 kilometres long, with entry to the beach via the Penguin Parade car park. Waves average just over one metre, with the fine sand producing a wide beach front with a continuous sand bar. The bar is usually cut by two or three rips toward the central-eastern end. Public access is available during the day; however the beach is closed off for the nightly Penguin Parade in the evening. Swimming is safest at the western end of the beach, as waves and rips increase to the east; however, watch the rip against the western rocks. There are toilets here at the main building and a sealed car park. General Hazard Rating: 6/10 (Moderately hazardous).
Cowrie Bay:
Another reef break with waves for the experienced surfer. The steep descent takes you down to the 400 metre long beach. Waves average one metre at high tide; however at low tide they break over the rocks and reefs. Gravel parking. General Hazard Rating: 7/10 (Highly hazardous).
Map of Summerlands Peninsula Beaches
Location
Ventnor Road, Summerlands 3922 Map
Web Links
→ Shelly Beach (BeachSafe)
→ Flynns Beach (BeachSafe)
→ Summerlands Beach (BeachSafe)
→ Cowrie Bay Beach (BeachSafe)
