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

It's Friday, 28 August, and we're kicking off the day with a beautiful coastal scene, perfect for all you beach lovers out there. The temperature is already at 10C, and with mostly clear skies and just 23% cloud cover, it's shaping up to be a great day to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. Whether you're a surfer, swimmer, or just looking to soak up some rays, today is looking like a fantastic day to do it.



Out in the ocean, the wave height is sitting at 0.98m, which is knee to waist high, making for some fun longboard conditions for all you surfers. The water temperature is a cool 13.2C, so make sure you're wearing a 4/3 full wetsuit to stay warm. With high tide coming in at 12:06 pm and low tide at 05:38 pm, there are plenty of opportunities to get in the water and make the most of the conditions.



For all you sports and fitness enthusiasts, today is a great day to get out and enjoy your favourite activities. Surfers will love the powerful waves at certain beaches, while swimmers will appreciate the calm and sheltered bays. Runners and cyclists will enjoy the cool morning air, with a temperature of 10C and a gentle wind of 19 km/h from the NW. Anglers and paddleboarders will also find plenty of opportunities to get out on the water and make the most of the conditions. With the wind gusting up to 32 km/h, it's a good idea to hold on tight and be prepared for a bit of a challenge.



As we head into the afternoon, the temperature is expected to remain steady, with plenty of sunshine and clear skies. With no chance of rain and low UV levels, it's a great day to get out and enjoy the coastal lifestyle. So why not grab your board, your bike, or your running shoes, and get out there and make the most of this beautiful day. We hope you have a fantastic time enjoying all that our stunning coastline has to offer, and we'll catch you back here again soon.

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.