The best beaches for learning to surf in Victoria

Point Leo is home to several popular breaks, with Crunchie Point usually offering prime conditions for beginners in summer. While winter sometimes brings bigger and rougher waves, the swell settles down during the hottest time of the year, making it an idyllic spot to hone your craft. If you’ve already had a couple of sessions in the surf, a trip to Crunchie Point offers a gentle challenge that should rapidly improve your skills. Head to Salty Surf School for one-on-one and group lessons.

Long and slow swells make Shelly Beach a top choice for beginner surfers. Protected by Western Port, the waves here rarely reach over one metre, ensuring minimal chance of a heavy wipeout. While the nearby breaks of Cat Bay and Flynns Beach have exposed reef and offshore winds to navigate, the scenic and enclosed surroundings of Shelly Beach present a laid-back alternative where you can get accustomed to the world of surfing.

Jan Juc Beach is a stellar spot for beginners when the forecast suggests smaller swells. While the break can get somewhat crowded thanks to a dedicated local surfing community, newcomers usually find plenty of space in front of the surf club at the beach’s eastern end. If you’re looking for more mellow waves, nearby Torquay Point and Point Addis often peacefully undulate with friendly surf. Torquay Surf Academy has got you covered for Jan Juc lessons.

Cosy Corner lives up to its name, with this protected alcove keeping the swells down and the good times up for fledgling surfers. While many of Torquay’s famous beaches attract some of the world’s most talented shredders, this precise pocket is more relaxed than most. You’ll find leisurely breaks and convenient facilities, from toilet blocks to cafes and shops. The waves might be more like ripples, but Cosy Corner is tough to beat when getting acquainted with the surf. Honu Honi Surf Camp runs drop-in summer lessons if you need a helping hand.

Anglesea Main Beach is a leading hub for those learning to surf, as beginner-friendly waves are a dime-a-dozen. Shallow and gentle from dawn to dusk, taking a tumble from your board isn’t cause for concern – other than a little embarrassment. If you’d like some professional guidance to level up your progress, the local legends at Go Ride A Wave will help you hang so much looser in no time at all.

Set on the southern side of Phillip Island, Smiths Beach is another choice spot for easygoing surf. Most days, the waves are mellow and consistent, helping beginners practice standing up and going for a quick ride. Every so often, the waves out the back can pack more punch, making this a solid pick for those looking for something slightly more gnarly. If you need to rent a board or want a guided lesson, the team at Island Surfboards is just off the beachfront.

Take a trip to Anglesea to reach Point Roadknight – a waist-deep, protected cove with right-handed breaks ripe for newbie surfers. Here, the waves remain rather tame, with this slow-moving surf ideal for learning the ropes. Plus, there are summertime patrols to keep you and your fellow beachgoers safe. Between sessions in the water, the white-sand shoreline and stunning rock pools make this surf spot even more spectacular.

If you've bemoaned the fact that inner-city Melbourne doesn't have proper surfing beaches, this is for you. Head along to Australia's first inland surf park, Urbnsurf, located within spitting distance of Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine. 

This inland wave pool is the first full-sized surfing lagoon to use Wavegarden technology. The pool uses technology to create long, man-made waves in a closed environment. The two-hectare surfing lagoon has areas customisable for all ages and abilities – so if you're not Layne Beachley just yet, you'll do just fine.