Surf Beach (Phillip Island)

Surf Beach has big swells from Bass Strait. Surf Beach and its surrounding beaches are popular with experienced surfers, and are ideal for pro surfers looking to catch some waves. It does, however, have strong rips and currents, and isn't suitable for swimming. It has a General Hazard Rating of 7/10 (Highly hazardous).

Low tide exposes rock pools, and the beach is a great place for beach games and relaxing. This beach is not patrolled.

There is a gravel car park along the Esplanade and access is via stairs which is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Surf Beach and the two beaches either side of Surfies Point are located between basalt and calcarenite rock platforms and reefs. The beaches are accessible via the Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay housing estates, with parking either end of Surf Beach and on Surfies Point. The three beaches face south-south-west and all receive waves averaging between 1 and 1.6 m. The waves interact with the sand, rocks and reefs to produce both good reef and point surf, and strong beach and reef rips. Surf Beach usually has permanent rips against each end, while Surfies Point East has similar rips, together with one to two strong central rips. West of the point the waves break over wide reefs and although low at the shore, there are strong currents over the reefs.

There are a number of places with wooden staircases down to the Surf Beach. They are:
Cnr The Esplanade and Dunvegan Crescent, Surf Beach (east end)
Cnr The Esplanade and Hopetoun Crescent, Surf Beach (central)
Cnr The Esplanade and Park Street/Dixon Street, Surf Beach (west end)

To get to Surfies Point, the carpark and wooden staircase is at the corner of The Esplanade and Batman Street.

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:

This area of beach is definitely not suited to swimmers, leave it to professional surfers. There are sandy beach areas interspersed with large rocky which have rockpools to explore at low tide.