Melbourne Beaches

Because of Melbourne's sheltered situation at the head of Port Phillip Bay there are no surfing beaches in the immediate neighborhood of the city. Surfers have to go further afield, to the seaward coast of the Mornington Peninsula and the coast south of Geelong (Torquay).

Close to the city there are popular (and frequently overcrowded) beaches at Port Melbourne, Albert Park and South Melbourne; further south are Elwood, Brighton and Sandringham. The finest sheltered beaches are on the bay side of the Mornington Peninsula to the south of Frankston, which is usually crowded during the holiday season and at weekends.