Best Beaches in Victoria: The Ultimate Guide to Victoria’s Top Coastal Escapes

Victoria’s coastline is vast, varied and wildly beautiful, stretching more than 2,500 kilometres along the Southern Ocean and Port Phillip Bay. From city-adjacent swims and calm bayside beaches to dramatic surf coasts and remote, hike-in-only coves, this guide rounds up the very best beaches in Victoria for every type of summer adventure.

Whether you’re after a quick dip close to Melbourne, a weekend escape down the coast, or a bucket-list beach surrounded by wilderness, these are the Victorian beaches locals return to year after year.

Best Beaches in Victoria: Melbourne

St Kilda Beach

St Kilda Beach is Melbourne’s most accessible seaside escape, with trams running almost to the sand. Sheltered by the newly refurbished pier, the calm waters suit swimmers of all levels, while the foreshore buzzes with runners, cyclists and sunseekers. Stick around after sunset to spot little penguins on the breakwall, or cap the day with a ride at Luna Park.

Best for: easy beach days without leaving the city.

St Kilda, Melbourne 

Mentone Beach

Mentone Beach delivers classic bayside bliss: shallow, calm water, soft sand and a relaxed foreshore lined with cafes and picnic spots. Patrolled in summer and part of the Mentone Foreshore Precinct, it’s ideal for families, sunset chasers and slow afternoon swims. Locals swear by the glowing ‘Mentone Gold’ sky at day’s end.

Best for: peaceful swims and golden-hour magic.

Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach is one of Melbourne’s most recognisable stretches of sand, thanks to its row of 82 colourful bathing boxes. Facing the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay, it’s ideal for swimming, paddling and strolling the shoreline. The heritage boxes make it a must-visit photo stop, even if you only stay for a quick dip.

Best for: iconic photos and calm bay swims.

Brighton, Melbourne 

Half Moon Bay 

Tucked beneath rugged cliffs in Black Rock, Half Moon Bay feels quietly removed from the city despite its proximity. The sheltered cove offers soft sand, gentle swimming conditions and protection from the wind. With Mobi-Mat access and beach matting available, it’s also one of Melbourne’s most accessible beaches.

Best for: relaxed swims and sheltered picnic days.

Black Rock, Melbourne 

Best Beaches in Victoria: Mornington Peninsula

Sorrento Back Beach

Sorrento Back Beach faces the Bass Strait, delivering dramatic cliffs, rolling waves and rock pools best explored at low tide. It’s a favourite for surfers, coastal walkers and confident swimmers, while the calmer Sorrento Front Beach sits just across town. Together, they make a perfect Peninsula beach double act.

Best for: surf, scenery and rugged coastal walks.

Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Mount Martha Beach 

Mount Martha Beach stretches for two kilometres and is dotted with charming bathing boxes. While the beach shelves steeply, making it better suited to confident swimmers, it’s a favourite for picnics, boating and summer afternoons by the water. Facilities include BBQs and easy access points along the foreshore.

Best for: scenic swims and relaxed Peninsula days.

Best Beaches in Victoria: Wilson’s Promontory National Park & Gippsland

Squeaky Beach

Squeaky Beach is one of Victoria’s most celebrated coastal spots, known for its fine quartz sand that squeaks underfoot and vivid turquoise water. Framed by granite boulders, it’s consistently ranked among the world’s best beaches. Combine your visit with the coastal walk to Picnic Bay or Whisky Bay.

Best for: iconic scenery and crystal-clear swims.

Refuge Cove

Accessible only by boat or a long hike, Refuge Cove is Wilsons Promontory at its wildest and most secluded. Once a haven for whaling ships, today it offers pure isolation, calm waters and basic camping facilities. This is a beach for those seeking true disconnection and untouched coastal beauty.

Best for: off-grid adventure and total escape.

Refuge Cove Hikers Camp, Wilsons Promontory

Whisky Bay 

Reached via a short walk from the car park, Whisky Bay opens to golden sand framed by massive granite boulders. The beach glows at sunset and connects easily to nearby Picnic Bay and the Three Bays Track. Unpatrolled waters mean it’s better for paddling and exploring than serious swimming.

Best for: sunset visits and scenic wandering.

Whisky Bay Carpark Road, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria

Ninety Mile Beach

Ninety Mile Beach is one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in the world, stretching 155 kilometres along Gippsland’s coastline. Its vast sands are ideal for long walks, fishing, whale watching and quiet beach days. Access it via towns like Lakes Entrance, Seaspray or Woodside Beach.

Best for: wide-open space and endless coastline.

Gippsland, Victoria 

Best Beaches in Victoria: Great Ocean Road & The Bellarine Peninsula

Torquay Beach

Torquay Beach sets the tone for Victoria’s Surf Coast with clean sand, reliable swell and an easygoing shoreline rhythm. Just over an hour from Melbourne, it’s a favourite for swimming, beginner surfing and long coastal walks, with cafes and grassy foreshore parks close by. A classic Great Ocean Road stop that balances surf culture with relaxed seaside ease.

Best for: beginner surfers, safe summer swims, family beach days, coastal walks, post-swim picnics on the foreshore, sunrise strolls, and surf-culture spotting.

Torquay, Victoria

Eastern Beach Reserve, Geelong

Eastern Beach Reserve is Geelong’s grand bay-side playground, framed by Art Deco curves, calm waters and a shark-proof sea bath. Floating platforms, grassy terraces and a sweeping promenade create an easy summer ritual, moments from the CBD and ideal for unhurried swims, picnics and waterfront strolls with historic seaside glamour.

Best for: calm bay swims, families, Art Deco lovers, picnic days, pram-friendly walks, summer events and an easy city-adjacent beach fix.

Bells Beach

Bells Beach is a global surfing icon, famous for its powerful Southern Ocean swells and dramatic cliff amphitheatre. Home to the Rip Curl Pro each Easter, it’s best suited to experienced surfers rather than swimmers. Even if you don’t surf, the views alone make it essential.

Best for: surf culture and coastal drama.

Bells Beach, Great Ocean Road

Apollo Bay Beach

Apollo Bay Beach curves gently along the Great Ocean Road, offering patrolled swimming, grassy picnic areas and calm conditions ideal for families. Fish from the wharf, paddle in the shallows or spend the day stretched out on the sand before exploring the nearby Otways.

Best for: family swims and easy coastal days.

Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria 

Loch Ard Gorge

Named after an infamous shipwreck, Loch Ard Gorge is a protected cove with gentle tides, towering cliffs and multiple scenic lookouts. Its mix of history, calm water and dramatic landscape makes it one of the Great Ocean Road’s most rewarding stops.

Best for: sheltered swims and coastal history.

Port Campbell, Great Ocean Road

Johanna Beach

Johanna Beach is wild, beautiful and best admired with caution. Located on the Shipwreck Coast, it’s popular with surfers and anglers but unsafe for swimming. In warmer months, it’s ideal for picnics, dune walks and watching powerful waves roll in.

Best for: surfing, fishing and untamed scenery.

Johanna, Great Ocean Road

Best Beaches in Victoria: Phillip Island

Forrest Caves Beach

Forrest Caves Beach remains under the radar despite its striking sea caves and pale sand. Best visited at low tide, it’s popular with surfers but unsuitable for swimming due to unpatrolled waters. Exploring the caves is a highlight for confident coastal adventurers.

Best for: exploration and dramatic rock formations.

Bass Strait, Phillip Island Road, Newhaven 

Cape Woolamai Surf Beach

Cape Woolamai Surf Beach sits beneath pink granite cliffs and is listed on the National Surfing Register. Offering some of the island’s best surf and sweeping coastal views, it’s a must-stop when arriving on Phillip Island.

Best for: surfing and panoramic vistas.

Newhaven, Phillip Island

Cowes Main Beach

Cowes Main Beach is one of Victoria’s most family-friendly beaches, thanks to its north-facing position, gentle waves and summer patrols. High tide suits swimming, while low tide reveals rock pools to explore. The jetty and nearby cafes complete the holiday vibe.

Best for: families and calm holiday swims.

The Esplanade, Cowes, Phillip Island 

Skip the air-con and follow the coastline instead. From city-side bays to remote wilderness beaches, Victoria offers a shoreline for every summer mood. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a spontaneous swim, these beaches showcase the very best of Victoria’s coast — sand, sea and unforgettable scenery. Ready to turn a beach day into a getaway? Find the perfect place to stay along the Great Ocean Road or keep the adventure rolling with our guide to the best caravan parks and glamping spots.