Lively Top Beach Picks on the Mornington Peninsula
See below for some of our must-see Mornington Peninsula beaches to enjoy during your summer holiday on the coast. From Mount Eliza to Portsea, these stunning beaches are the perfect locations for your lazy summer afternoons, or relaxing morning dips. A summer trip on the Peninsula would a waste without a day on the sand, whether you’re looking for an afternoon stroll, a morning dip or a surf or boating expedition, there is a beach in this beautiful area for you!
Mount Martha Beach, Mount Martha
Mount Martha Beach is 2km worth of stunning coastline, beautiful bathing boxes and crystal blue water. A central location to many of our properties, it’s a popular swimming, bathing, sailing and boating location with locals and tourists alike. Split into two by the Balcombe Creek, both north and south beaches are beautiful locations to spend your holiday relaxing, both just moments from Mount Martha Village.
Ranelagh Beach, Mount Eliza
Ranelagh Beach is a private and hidden beach away from main roads, making it a beautiful spot for a day spent lounging on the sand. The long stretch of beach is positioned in front of high, grassy headlands and is home to a number of bright beach boxes. The lookout from above makes for an excellent photo spot, and the long stretches of sand are perfect to house your family day in the sun.
Sorrento Back Beach, Sorrento
Sorrento back beach is a popular swimming and surfing location that features a number of exciting rock pools to explore at low tide. Situated amongst low coastal hills, this golden crescent beach sits in an amphitheatre like setting, making it an aesthetically pleasing location for a day spent in the sun.
Gunnamatta Beach, Fingal
Gunnamatta Beach is a favourite location for surfers, swimmers and sunbathers alike. Located in fingal, this beach brings a high energy environment and invites water activity of all kinds. Here you’ll find the best surf breaks the Mornington Peninsula has to offer. This beach, though beautiful, can be dangerous, due to its high waves and strong rips, so ensure you stay between the flags and stay diligent whilst swimming.
Fishermans Beach, Mornington
Located just minutes from Mornington Main Street, Fishermans Beach is easily accessible and centrally located. Grab a coffee at Lilo Cafe across the road or bring a picnic to enjoy along the 550m of sandy foreshore, or in the slight reserve that lines it. This beach remains unpatrolled but is relatively safe, with a general hazard rating of 3/10.
Rye Beach, Rye
Directly across from a large strip of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, Rye beach is a favourite for locals and tourists alike over Summer. The beach is always bustling and full of life during the warmer months. With kilometres of reserve space, parks and playgrounds, it’s the perfect location for barbecues and fun afternoons for the whole family. Otherwise, spend your time lounging on the gorgeous coastline, or strolling down the pier.
Safety Beach, Safety Beach
Safety Beach is a shallow and wide stretched beach that’s great for the family. It’s easily accessible with plenty of street and gravel parking and is conveniently located centrally between Mount Martha and Dromana. It also has a walking track lining the sand, and gorgeous blue water to wade in. The beach is not patrolled but has a general safety rating of 3/10. If you wish to explore Martha Cove, and walk along the boardwalk that lines the mariner, you can connect the beach track directly to the boardwalk, by following the walking path under the tunnel.
Canadian Bay Beach, Mount Eliza
Canadian Bay Beach is a great spot to spend a sunny afternoon. Just down from the main village, this is Mount Eliza’s most popular beach, lined by stunning, grassy cliff tops. Be cautious of strong rips during periods of higher waves, but otherwise this is a great swimming beach for competent swimmers. Bring your fish and chips or a picnic and enjoy it in one of the many picnic areas scattered throughout the main carpark.
Point Leo Beach, Point Leo
Point Leo beach is one of the most famous surf beaches on the Mornington Peninsula, a great spot for both beginner and experienced surfers. Due to its ever-present strong rips, this beach is heavily patrolled, so do swim between the flags if you choose to swim here. The Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1955 and is an entirely voluntary organisation that keeps this beach safe and accessible to visitors. If you’re an avid surfer, Point Leo and Gunnamatta are the choices for you!
