Gunnamatta Beach

Gunnamatta Beach in Fingal is an exposed, high energy, 3km stretch of beach with a wide, rip dominated surf zone. It is located in the Mornington Peninsula National Park and is part of the 30km long sandy and rocky coast that extends from Cape Schanck to Point Nepean. Truemans Road runs out through the dunes to the beach, where there is a large car park and the surf lifesaving club. The beach faces south-west, exposing it to high westerly winds and waves. The waves average 1.9 metres and combine with the medium sand to produce a 150 metre wide single bar surf zone. The bar is cut by strong rips every 300m, together with additional permanent rips next to major reefs and rocks. Gunnamatta offers the best surf breaks on the Mornington Peninsula. Good breaks are found down the beach past the surf club, in front of the first and second car parks, and up the beach at the Pumping Station. Deep rip holes and gutters, together with rocks and reefs, are a permanent feature of this beach and make it a popular spot for beach and rock fishing. This is a very hazardous beach for swimming with usually high waves and strong rips close to shore. Stay between the flags, on the bar and away from the rips, rocks and reefs. No dogs allowed.