Melbourne has many beautiful beaches that are easy to reach and fun for everyone. Some are close to the city while others are in quiet areas with soft sand and calm water. You can go for a walk, swim, look for shells or relax with family and friends.
Each beach has something special to offer. This simple guide will help you choose the best beaches to enjoy a sunny day.
Top 10 best beaches in Melbourne
1. St Kilda Beach
Known for: The pier, the pavilion, and a little penguin colony at the breakwater.
St Kilda is directly close to the city. The beach is broad and individuals walk along the boardwalks. You will be able to go to cafes and markets and to St Kilda Sea baths. In the evening, little penguins go ashore about the breakwater.
The beach is patrolled in season and is family friendly. Watch for winds on open days and keep to patrolled zones when you swim. Improvement idea. Add more public shade and extra bins on busy days.
2. Brighton Beach
Known for: The colourful bathing boxes on Dendy Street Beach.
Brighton has a row of bright wooden bathing boxes that are famous. They make great photos at sunrise and are part of local history. The sand is clean and the water is calm. The foreshore is paved with walks, cafes and benches to view the bay.
It is a top spot for quiet swims and for people who like easy coastal walks. Improvement idea. Manage crowds on sunny weekends and keep public toilets clean during peak season.
3. Half Moon Bay
Known for: The old ship wreck HMVS Cerberus and rocky headland views.
Half Moon bay possesses red cliffs and a good curved sandy beach. The boat disaster is near the beach. When there is a low tide small pools of rock are formed and children like to play with them. The playground and picnic areas are close by.
The water is calm on quiet days and many families visit. It would help to add clear signs near the deep water and better maps for safe swimming.
4. Sorrento Beach
Known for: Calm waters ferry access and scenic rock shelves on the Mornington Peninsula.
Sorrento Front Beach is calm and safe for swimming. It is on the Mornington Peninsula and you can get there by car or a short ferry ride. Nearby rocks make small tide pools where kids can play and find shells at low tide. Cafes and picnic spots are close. A helpful idea is to add more maps and signs for easy exploring.
5. Altona Beach
Known for: Wide sandy shore, an accessible pier and good sunset views.
Altona offers a long sand stretch and a new pier for walking and fishing. The beach has accessibility features such as year round beach matting and an accessible changing facility. There are BBQ spots, playgrounds and cafes near the foreshore.
The water is calm, and the beach is great for evening walks. Improvement idea. Extend lifeguard hours and give more live water quality updates for swimmers.
Read Also: Explore the Best Beaches in Gold Coast
6. Port Melbourne (Sandridge) Beach
Known for: Easy city access, views of ferries, shipping and a long foreshore.
Port Melbourne and Sandridge are close to the CBD and easy to get to by tram. The area has a wide promenade for walking, cycling and cafes along the shore. You can watch the Spirit of Tasmania ferry and enjoy a calm bay swim when conditions are good.
Families use the nearby park and playground. Improvement idea. Improve post-weekend cleaning and add more bins and public showers to the foreshore.
7. Elwood Beach
Known for: A long bay trail, family friendly sand, and set dog friendly zones.
Elwood has a broad sand bay and a popular bike and walking path. It is great for runs, picnics and family days. Dogs are allowed off leash at certain times and parts of the bay. The beach has cafes and picnic areas close by.
In summer, some sections are patrolled for safe swimming. Improvement idea. Add more shade and extra water fountains on the promenade.
Read Also: Discover the Top 10 Beaches in Cairns
8. Williamstown Beach
Known for: Classic bay charm and great city skyline views.
Williamstown Beach has soft sand and clear calm water. It is popular for family picnics and relaxed swims. The historic suburb adds a unique vibe with old buildings and a scenic esplanade. There are cafes nearby and a grassy area perfect for sunset watching.
Trains make it easy to reach from the city. Improvement idea. Add more shaded seating and keep the changing rooms cleaner during busy times.
9. Mentone Beach
Known for: Gentle shallow water, a life saving club, and safe family swims.
Mentone has a long shallow bay and a strong local life saving club. The water is gentle, which makes it a good place for young kids to try swimming and for paddleboarding. The foreshore has picnic spots, toilets and a walking path with small mosaics along the route.
It is popular with families and dog walkers. Improvement idea. Make parking signs clearer and add more rubbish bins near picnic zones.
10. Parkdale Beach
Known for: Quiet sands, good parking and a long walking path.
Parkdale is a calmer local beach. It has a long sand area, a paved coastal path and grassy picnic spots. The beach is less crowded than city beaches. Families like it for gentle water and space. There are toilets, fountains and places to sit.
Free parking is often available nearby on weekdays. Improvement idea. Add clearer signs for safe swim zones and tide info for new visitors.
FAQs
Which are the best beaches in Melbourne for swimming?
For calm, safe swims, try Sorrento Front Beach, Mentone and Brighton. These spots have gentle water or patrolled areas in summer.
Where can I look for shells around Melbourne?
Shell finds are best after a storm or at low tide. Try Sorrento back beaches, Portsea and Altona, and check local tide times. Bring a small bag and check local rules about collecting.
Are these public beaches in Melbourne, Florida?
No. This guide is about Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. If you meant Melbourne, Florida, the area has public beach parks like Bonsteel Park, Spessard Holland and Paradise Beach with clear beach access and lifeguard zones. Check local Brevard County pages for details.
Are these among the best beaches in Australia?
Some Melbourne beaches are rated highly for city access, calm water and family use. For very remote white sand beaches, the coast of Victoria and other states also offer top ranked beaches. Use local lists to match what you want.
Are dogs allowed on these beaches?
Rules change by beach and season. Some beaches have set dog zones or times. Check local council pages before you go.
Conclusion
There are many beaches in Melbourne. Some are close to the city and easy to reach while others are in quiet bays on nearby peninsulas. Pick St Kilda for city vibes, Brighton for the bathing boxes, Sorrento or Mentone for calm swims and Altona for accessible sand.
Each beach is simple to reach and has its own charm. Try low tide after a calm night for shells and pick a patrolled area when you swim. If you want, I can make a short printable checklist for any one beach with directions, tide times and things to pack. For more information visit Australia City Guide.
