Rye Ocean Beach

Rye Ocean Beach is located inside the Mornington Peninsula National Park, and natural sand dunes back the length of this four kilometre long beach. Access to the beach is via a large car park at the end of Sandy Road. The eastern end can also be accessed from walking tracks through the dunes at Ocean Drive, St Andrews with steep access to the beach below. The beach is a popular beach for experienced surfers due to numerous reef breaks along the long stretch of exposed sandy coast. Other popular activities include fishing and walking. Swimming is not advised at this unpatrolled beach as conditions can be hazardous due to large waves, strong currents and submerged rocky reefs. As this back beach is also part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, it is home to several vulnerable native species including the nationally significant Hooded Plover. Rye is a great place to spot these very small, well camouflaged shorebirds which feed in the intertidal zone. The Plovers lay their eggs directly onto the sand between the high-tide mark and the foredune. You can help their plight by avoiding the soft sand near the dunes and keeping away from nest sites. Dogs are not permitted.