Tucked against the wild Bass Strait coast, Back Beach at the end of Potters Hill Road is a secluded cobble-and-sand pocket backed by 20–30 m grassy bluffs. Low sandstone reefs fan out from the two headlands, forming ridges and long gutters cloaked in thick kelp — a haven for fish and abalone. Snorkelers can explore the reef platforms running parallel to shore, though the site faces south and demands calm conditions. Its dual identity (also called Bore Beach or Shelley Beach) adds to the off-the-beaten-path appeal, while the easy car‑park-to-beach track makes it a gem for adventurous intermediate snorkelers.
Potters Hill Road / Back Beach (San Remo)
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.4 mSwell Period 13 sWind Speed 2.4 knPrecipitation 24 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Sudden swell changes
The south-facing site is exposed to Bass Strait swells that can build rapidly; best snorkeled after several days of calm northerly winds.
Moderate risk: Rip currents against headlands
Attached bars cut rips that run against the bordering headlands and rocks, particularly on outgoing tides.
Moderate risk: Limited entry/exit points
Entry and exit are confined to the sandy section west of the cobble bay, making escape difficult if conditions suddenly turn.
Low risk: Thick kelp entanglement
Dense kelp beds on the reef platforms can restrict movement and visibility.
Low risk: Steep bluff access track
The foot track from the clifftop car park down to the beach is steep and can be slippery after rain.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From San Remo, take Potters Hill Road south to its terminus at a car park on the bluffs above Back Beach. A foot track leads down to the beach. The site is about 2 km south-east of the San Remo town centre.
Parking & facilities
Unsealed car park at the end of Potters Hill Road on the bluff above Back Beach. No time limits posted. Street parking also available on Potters Hill Road.
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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