Swan Island is a dynamic collection of beaches and recurved spits that have been deposited by waves and tidal currents over the past 6 000 years. The island now covers several hundred hectares and is reached via a causeway from Queenscliff. However, the western side of the island belongs to the Queenscliff Golf Club, while the eastern half is Commonwealth land, resulting in most of the island and the beaches being off limits to the public. The beach begins in lee of Sand Island (another collection of recurved spits) and runs north-east for 2 km to Swan Point, where it curves around to the west for a few hundred metres. The beach is low and narrow and is fronted by highly variable tidal flats, shoals and channels associated with tidal flow through The Rip. Unfortunately a seawall has been built along much of the beach which, together with a scattering of groynes, destroys the natural integrity of this dynamic island. read more

Beach Length: 2.8km