So slap on some sunscreen and dig out your best boardies – Melbourne’s best beaches are not to be overlooked. Here is a list of the best beaches near Melbourne.

Until you’ve spent a day by the sea at St Kilda Beach, you haven’t really visited Melbourne. Don’t have a car? No worries.. the beach is just a short tram ride from the CBD. There’s plenty of activities here, including kiteboarding, skydiving, jet skiing and beach volleyball. Like your beach days a bit more relaxed? Take a stroll down the iconic pier (if you’re lucky you may see the resident little penguins in the rocks!) or relax in one of the bars and restaurants in the St Kilda Baths. There’s a day out here for everyone.

Probably Melbourne’s most iconic beach, Brighton Beach is famous for its rainbow-coloured beach huts that adorn the foreshore. The huts were once used as changing sheds in Victorian times. Most have retained their original architecture, and now are decorated in bright colours and bold artwork, perfect for those Insta holiday snaps! For a full day out, visit the historic Brighton Baths, offering swimming lanes, a steam room and group fitness classes. And, if you take a stroll out to the shoreline at the end of the beach you’ll get a spectacular view of the city skyline!

Half Moon Bay gets its name from its crescent-shaped cove and is best known for its golden sandy beach. The long 350m bay faces north so the beach is nicely protected from the elements and safe for swimming. The pier is very popular with fishermen, making it one of the best places to grab local fish and chips and watch the sunset over the bay. Want to add some history into your day at the beach, if you look out over the bay, there’s a visible historic shipwreck from the 1920s.

Kerford Road Pier Beach is one of Melbourne’s best-loved beaches and just a short drive from the CBD, it’s accessible to all. Soak up the sun and read a book overlooking the lapping waves, or go fishing off the famous Kerferd Road Pier. There’s even some beachside nets, for a spot of beach volleyball and a fantastic playground for the kids.

Melbourne’s first seaport, Williamstown is now a hipster seaside suburb, popular with locals as there’s plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby for a bite to eat, or a cheeky latte. The beach has a full range of amenities and is within walking distance to Williamstown Botanic Gardens and the nearby Life-Saving Club swimming pool. There’s plenty of picnic spots in the local parks and reserves too. Check out Fearon Reserve and Hatt Reserve for luscious green grass and foliage just minutes from the beach.

Just around the corner from St Kilda, you’ll find Elwood,  a vibrant beachside suburb, buzzing with families and couples relaxing by the beach. Had enough of the sand? Take a bike ride along the scenic coastal paths or climb up to Point Ormond for one of the best panoramic views in Melbourne; with the impressive city skyline to the north and the glistening sands of Elwood Beach to the south. There’s also a superb takeaway fish and chip shop, for that authentic beachside experience. Elwood beach really is the total package.

If you aren’t located close to the Melbourne CBD, or you don’t mind a drive, there are a number of hidden gems to explore. Here is a list of the best beaches outside the Melbourne CBD.

A secluded beach in Wilsons Promontory National Park, Fairy Cove is only accessible by foot, along the winding cliffs of the Tongue Point Track. The walk will take about 45 minutes.. but it is well worth the trip! When the water is calm it’s great for swimming, or if there are some rips, take a boogie board for the ultimate beach experience. With its crystal clear waters and impressive native wildlife, this beach has often been referred to by travellers as Australia’s best-kept secret… so when you reach it, be prepared to be amazed… but sssh, don’t tell your friends!

Surrounded by huge basalt cliffs and jagged rocks, Bushrangers Bay is one of Melbourne’s most picturesque beaches. The cliffs are covered in rock pools and the bay has crystal clear waters, great for diving and snorkelling. The beach is famous for being the location of the film Where The Wild Things Are – perfect for some snaps to impress the folks at home!

An assortment of different sized rockpools and the stunning crystal clear waters are just two of the reason’s Sorrento is one of Melbourne’s best beaches. Another is that it is the home of the Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry, should you want to venture across the bay. The beach also has a long green lawn laden with top-notch BBQ facilities, which is perfect for family days out or a catch up with friends by the sea.

Known best for its surfing, fishing and pretty much any water sport you can think of, this popular spot on the Great Ocean road is highly regarded as one of Melbourne’s best beaches. The nearby Otway Ranges have some great scenic walking trails if you prefer your action to be on dry land. The vibrant local restaurant scene is popular with locals and tourists alike, and if you’d like to stay the night there’s plenty of accommodation options. So why not make a weekend of it?

Another Ocean road gem, but this time, on a road less travelled, just near Airey’s Inlet you’ll stumble across the beautiful Sunnymead Beach. This dog-friendly beach offers spectacular views of the ocean and its surrounding cliffs and jagged rock features.. perfect for romantic picnics, walking the pup and watching the sunset, away from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy beaches in the area.

Forrest Caves on Port Phillip Island’s southeast shore has sand as far as the eye can see. Famous for its rugged rock platforms and stunning namesake caves, (only accessible at low tide – so make sure to keep your eye on the tides!)  this renowned surfing beach is also popular for bushwalking and fishing. It’s easy to drive to and has ample parking and toilets available. It’s a one-stop shop for everything beachy.

If you fancy yourself as a beach lover but are low-key scared of all things “ocean” (we’re talking sharks, seaweed and those infamous rips that catch you unawares!) Eastern Beach is the beach for you. This Geelong gem has an enclosed ocean pool to keep out those nasties and it’s lined by beautiful palm trees and picturesque views of the local promenade. Prefer your beaches more sandy…there’s a long stretch of open sandy beach too if you’re feeling fearless.