The best beaches in and near Melbourne in 2026 are St Kilda for its pier and penguins, Brighton Beach for the colourful bathing boxes, Williamstown for a family day, Half Moon Bay for snorkelling, Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula and Bells Beach near Torquay for surf.
Melbourne's city beaches line Port Phillip Bay, so the water is usually calm with no surf. For waves, head to the ocean beaches of the Mornington Peninsula (about 90 minutes) or Torquay and the Great Ocean Road. Water is warmest from January to March. Many bay beaches are patrolled by lifesavers on summer weekends. See also our best day trips from Melbourne.
Melbourne's best-known beach, with a pier and penguins.
St Kilda Beach is a short tram ride from the city, with a long pier, palm-lined Esplanade and calm bay water. At dusk, little penguins return to the breakwater at the end of the pier.
Luna Park and the cake shops of Acland Street are a short walk away.
Good to know: Stay for dusk to see the penguins at the pier; no flash photography.
Jacka Blvd, St Kilda VIC 3182
The famous row of colourful bathing boxes.
Brighton's Dendy Street Beach is lined with 82 colourful bathing boxes, one of Melbourne's most photographed sights. The calm water suits a swim, and the city skyline is visible across the bay.
It's a 15-minute walk from Brighton Beach station.
Good to know: Visit early in the morning for photos without crowds.
Dendy St, Brighton VIC 3186
A family beach in a historic seaside village, reached by ferry.
Williamstown Beach has a sandy beach, shady lawns and a lifesaving club, a short walk from the historic port village with its cafés and maritime history.
In summer, ferries run from Southbank and St Kilda, making it a fun day out.
Good to know: Take the ferry from Southbank for the trip across the bay.
Esplanade, Williamstown VIC 3016
Red cliffs, clear water and a sunken warship to snorkel.
Half Moon Bay is a sheltered beach beneath red sandstone cliffs, with clear water. Just offshore lies the scuttled HMVS Cerberus, a 19th-century warship.
It's a lovely swimming beach and popular with snorkellers on calm days.
Good to know: Walk the clifftop path to Red Bluff for views over the bay.
Beach Rd, Black Rock VIC 3193
A relaxed local beach with grassy picnic areas.
Elwood Beach, just south of St Kilda, is quieter and more relaxed, with lawns, barbecues and calm water. It's popular with families and stand-up paddleboarders.
The bike path along the bay links it with St Kilda and Brighton.
Good to know: Hire a bike and ride the bay trail from St Kilda.
Ormond Esplanade, Elwood VIC 3184
Calm bay beach and wild ocean back beach, 90 minutes away.
Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula has a calm bay beach by the ferry pier and, a short drive away, Sorrento Back Beach and its rock pools on the wild ocean side.
Combine it with the Peninsula Hot Springs and the peninsula's wineries.
Good to know: Swim in the ocean only at patrolled beaches; the back beaches have strong rips.
Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento VIC 3943
Bathing boxes, calm water and cliffs on the peninsula.
Mount Martha's beaches have colourful bathing boxes, calm, clear water and cliffs, and are quieter than the city beaches.
It's about an hour from Melbourne.
Good to know: Combine it with lunch in Mornington.
Esplanade, Mount Martha VIC 3934
Australia's most famous surf break, on the Great Ocean Road.
Bells Beach near Torquay is home to the Rip Curl Pro surfing contest each Easter and is one of the world's most famous surf breaks. The clifftop viewing area looks down on the waves.
It's for experienced surfers; swimmers should head to patrolled Torquay or Jan Juc.
Good to know: Watch from the clifftop; it's a powerful break, not a swimming beach.
Bells Beach Rd, Bells Beach VIC 3228
St Kilda is the best known, with its pier, the Esplanade and little penguins at dusk. Brighton is the most photographed, thanks to its bathing boxes, and Half Moon Bay is the most beautiful.
Yes. The bay beaches are generally calm and safe in summer. Check the EPA's Beach Report for water quality after heavy rain.
The ocean beaches of the Mornington Peninsula, such as Gunnamatta and Sorrento Back Beach, and Torquay, Jan Juc and Bells Beach on the Surf Coast, about 90 minutes from the city.
Take the Sandringham line train to Middle Brighton or Brighton Beach station and walk to Dendy Street Beach, about 15 minutes.
At the end of St Kilda Pier, little penguins return to the breakwater at dusk. Follow the volunteers' rules: no flash photography.