Undertow Bay is a 300-metre-long southeast-facing beach tucked next to the town of Cape Paterson on Victoria's Bass Coast, within the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park. Its protected sandy bay and adjacent rocky reef structure create a haven for kelp forests and cool-temperate marine life, making it a popular shoreline entry snorkel spot for those who time the conditions carefully.
Undertow Bay
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.0 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 6.0 knPrecipitation 20 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong surf and swell
The southeast exposure picks up long-period swell and wind chop, making conditions unfavourable at times — especially with southerly winds.
Moderate risk: Rip currents
Like many exposed Bass Coast beaches, rip currents can develop, particularly around the rocky headlands flanking the bay.
Low risk: Cold water temperatures
Bass Strait waters are cold year-round (10–16°C), posing a risk of cold shock and hypothermia without proper wetsuit protection.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Located immediately east of the town of Cape Paterson, next to the major bend in the main road (Undertow Bay Road). Approximately 2 hours' drive southeast of Melbourne via the M1 and Bass Highway.
Parking & facilities
Roadside parking available along Undertow Bay Road near the beach access point.
parking
No fees. The site is within the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park, which is free to enter.
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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