Phillip Island, VIC

Famous for the nightly penguin parade — Smiths Beach and Woolamai deliver powerful surf while sheltered bays offer calm swimming.

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Saturday 11 July is shaping up to be a great day to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery, with a temperature of 9C and mostly cloudy conditions. The cloud cover is sitting at 56%, and the humidity is at 82%, making it a pretty mild morning. With a gentle breeze blowing at 20 km/h from the north, it's a lovely day to take in the sights and sounds of the ocean.



The ocean conditions are looking pretty good, with a wave height of 0.90m, which is perfect for some fun longboard surfing. The water temperature is a cool 13.0C, so make sure to pack your 4/3 full wetsuit if you're planning to get in the water. The tides are also worth keeping an eye on, with the high tide having just passed at 07:22 am and the low tide coming up at 01:07 pm.



If you're looking to get active today, the conditions are great for a range of sports and activities. Surfers will love the powerful waves at certain beaches, while swimmers will enjoy the calm and sheltered bays. Runners and cyclists will appreciate the mild temperature and gentle breeze, making it a great day to get out and enjoy the scenic coastal routes. Anglers and paddleboarders will also find plenty of opportunities to get out on the water and enjoy the beautiful scenery.



As we head into the afternoon, the temperature is expected to remain steady at 9C, with plenty of sunshine still to come despite the mostly cloudy conditions. With no rain expected and a low UV index, it's a great day to get out and enjoy all that the coast has to offer. So why not grab your board, your bike, or your fishing rod, and make the most of this beautiful Saturday – it's going to be a fantastic day by the sea.

About This Coastline

Phillip Island is a compact Bass Strait island where surf beaches, sheltered bays, farmland and internationally important wildlife habitats sit close together.

Its character is therefore broader than conventional resort imagery, combining practical coastal life with a strong sense of place.

The Vibe

The island balances family tourism with a strong natural focus.

Visitors move between beaches, coastal walks, motorsport and wildlife viewing, while local communities retain a low-rise, regional atmosphere outside peak periods. The shoreline supports both activity and observation, allowing an energetic beach day or a slower experience centred on walking and views.

The Local Anchor

The nightly return of little penguins at Summerland Beach is the island’s best-known anchor, supported by major conservation work.

The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit adds a very different cultural identity through international motorcycle and motor racing. This anchor gives meaning to the surrounding scenery and provides a useful starting point for understanding the wider district.

The Landscape

Exposed southern and western shores receive powerful swell, while northern beaches facing Western Port are generally more sheltered.

Basalt cliffs, rocky reefs, dunes and wetlands support seals, seabirds and other wildlife across a highly varied coastline. The shape of the coast determines shelter and exposure, so neighbouring sections can offer very different experiences on the same day.

It is this overlap of landscape, history and daily use that gives Phillip Island its particular atmosphere.