Tucked away beneath steep bluffs on the Mount Eliza foreshore, Ranelagh Beach is a 450-metre-long pocket beach on Port Phillip Bay known for its rocky reef terrain and vibrant marine life. Accessed via a steep set of stairs from southern Earimil Drive, this local-favourite spot rewards snorkelers with clear waters over rocky outcrops where fish, rays, and occasional dolphins are spotted. The beach is dotted with colourful beach boxes and offers a secluded, peaceful escape from busier Mornington Peninsula beaches.
Ranelagh Beach
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 8.7 sWind Speed 1.8 knPrecipitation 35 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
Moderate risk: Rocks and Reefs at Low Tide
Extensive rocky reef and boulders exposed at low tide pose a grounding and scraping hazard for swimmers and snorkelers.
Moderate risk: Rip Currents
Rip currents can develop when waves break over the reef; strongest during southerly swells.
Low risk: Steep Stairs Access
The only public access is via a long, steep stairway from Earimil Drive down to the beach, requiring care especially when carrying gear.
Low risk: Boat Traffic
Numerous boat moorings and private boat activity in the bay create occasional vessel traffic near swimming areas.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Nepean Highway in Mount Eliza, turn onto Canadian Bay Road, then Earimil Drive south to the end. A marked path leads to steep stairs down to the beach.
Parking & facilities
Limited roadside parking at the end of Earimil Drive. Additional parking available at the Canadian Bay car park a short walk north.
parking
Free public access.
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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