Merri Beach is actually a low sand bar at the mouth of the Merri River. The sand is wedged in between the long breakwater that forms Warrnambool Harbour on the east and the 10 to 15 m high dune calcarenite of
Middle and Merri Islands and Pickering Point on the west. There is good access from the breakwater road, with a footbridge across the rear of the beach that provides access to the beach and the coast walking track around Thunder Point.
The beach lies in lee of Middle Island, with low waves approaching from both sides around the island. This results in a low, cuspate sand bar and beach in lee of the island, that is usually awash at high tide. A low, shallow bar runs out to the island, which can be reached on foot at low tide.
Beach Length: 0.15km
General Hazard Rating:
4/10
Patrols
There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach. Please take the time to browse the Surf Safety section of this website to learn more about staying safe when swimming at Australian beaches.
Click here to visit general surf education information.
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.