McCrae Beach stretches for several kilometres along Port Phillip Bay from the rocky headland of Anthony's Nose to Rosebud, offering calm, sheltered waters ideal for snorkelers of all levels. The beach is famous for its iconic, colourful bathing boxes and pristine white sand, while the shallow, wave-free bay provides excellent visibility for spotting local marine life. The McCrae pier area is a particularly popular snorkelling zone, with easy shore access and a gentle sandy entry that makes it a favourite family destination on the Mornington Peninsula.
McCrae Beach
BeginnerMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 1.8 knPrecipitation 33 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Boat traffic near pier
Boat traffic near the pier and swimming zone — vessels use the nearby channel and jetty area, especially in warmer months.
Low risk: Summer crowds
During hot summer weekends the beach and carpark fill early, making access difficult.
Low risk: Uneven depth near pier
Shallow areas with sudden deeper drops near the pier structure.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
McCrae Beach is located along Point Nepean Road on the Mornington Peninsula, roughly 75 km south of Melbourne. The main access is via McCrae-Merricks Road or direct from Point Nepean Road where beach parking is available near the foreshore.
Parking & facilities
Limited roadside parking along Point Nepean Road and near the McCrae foreshore reserve. Can fill quickly on warm summer weekends.
parkingtoiletspicnic_tables
Free public beach access. No entry fee.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports