Everything About Phillip Island Surf Beaches

Phillip Island surf beaches are a popular spot in summer or winter.

No matter what the weather, visitors will always see the unmistakable sight of the wetsuit-clad body patiently waiting for the perfect wave.

Surfer at Woolamai Beach, Phillip Island

Enjoying Phillip Island Surf Beaches

Even if you don't surf, find a beach to walk along looking for shells or shark egg cases, or watch the bird life wheeling and squawking in the air.

Phillip Island has some wonderful spots for a rock pool ramble.

And don't miss a visit to the Islantis Surf Experience to discover the history of surfing.

This fascinating display of boards old and new shows the development of the sport since its beginnings in Hawaii and its introduction into Australia in 1915.

Woolamai is one of the most popular Phillip Island surf beaches comprising three surf beaches – Woolamai/Magic Lands, Anzacs and The Colonnades.

The south-facing surf beach is a beautiful long stretch of beach, backed by sand dunes, and is one of the most popular surfing spots on the island.

Look over to Cape Woolamai, a faunal reserve with several walking tracks, which is also the highest point on Phillip Island. The Pinnacles at the end of the promontory are quite spectacular.

Phillip Island Surf Beaches - Woolamai

Woolamai/Magic Lands

Parking for about 250 cars
Toilets, change rooms and showers
Beach access via stairway
Patrolled from December 26 to January 26 then weekends and public holidays until Easter Monday
Respect shearwater rookeries
Shop selling drinks, ice creams, sunscreen etc

Anzacs

Lookout on dune top
Parking for about 40 cars
Toilet facilities
Beach access via sand-covered steps
Not patrolled
Beware dangerous currents
Respect shearwater rookeries and hooded plover habitat

The Colonnades

Small informal car parking area
No toilets
Beach access via stairway
Not patrolled
Beware dangerous currents

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Surf Beach is a long spectacular stretch of clifftop looking over Bass Strait, with views from Pyramid Rock to Cape Woolamai. There are several surfing and swimming beaches.

The most popular surfing beach is known as Surfies Point (Batman Avenue).

Parking for about 40 cars
No toilets
Beach access via path and steps
Not patrolled
Beware dangerous currents
Respect shearwater rookeries and hooded plover habitat

Between Sunderland Bay Road and Surfies Point there is a boardwalk along part of the cliff top which is suitable for prams and wheelchairs.

Surf Beach Looking Towards Cape Woolamai

Another surfing beach is Crazybird (Hopetoun Road) - but this is for experienced surfers only.

The beach at Dunvegan Crescent does have some parking.

A popular beach for families is at Pine Avenue. A boardwalk over shearwater rookeries gives access to the beach.

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One of the few north-west coast surf beaches, Cat Bay has two surfing beaches, Shelly Beach and Right Point.

At low tide, explore the rock pools on the flat shelf - great for children. Fascinating elephant shark egg cases abound among the seaweed.

Penguin Tracks at Cat Bay

On the smooth sand look at the penguin tracks going to and from the penguin burrows in the dunes.

Parking for about 30 cars at each beach
Beach access via stairways
Toilet facilities at Shelly Beach
Not patrolled
No dogs allowed

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Flynns Beach is a beautiful long stretch of beach, perfect for a walk when the tide is low.

Look over the bay from the lookout to the remains of the old jetty – or walk there at low tide – allow about an hour for the return trip, taking time to look at iridescent abalone shells or even a Port Jackson shark egg case.

Maybe cormorants will be sunning themselves on the jetty remnants.

This fairly secluded beach is perfect for sunbaking or walking.

Parking for about 60 cars
Toilet facilities
Beach access via sandy path
Not patrolled
Dangerous currents
Respect shearwater rookeries and hooded plover habitat
No dogs allowed

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Surfers in the water at Flynns Beach, Phillip Island.

Surfing at Flynns Beach

Locals tell me the rugged south coast surf beach of Berrys Beach has the best wave on the island in the right conditions, but this happens only a few times a year!

Access is via a stairway (100 steps), then a short sandy path.

The flowers and berries from the seaberry salt bush on the dense coastal vegetation attract birds and insects.

Hooded plovers nest here so please observe signage.

Shearwater rookeries line the cliffs. The long beach is dotted with basalt outcrops.

Berrys Beach

At low tide, look for sooty oyster catchers or ibis fossicking among the rocks. Although there are few shells, the beach has a lot of cuttlebone.

Glamis Road, near the car park, is the starting point for the walk to Pyramid Rock.

Parking for about 30 cars
Toilet facilities
Not patrolled
No dogs allowed

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At Pyramid Rock take in the great views over the rugged southern coastline. As with Berry’s Beach, the conditions need to be right to surf here – local knowledge required!

Walk along a cliff-top path to Berry’s Beach.