The Best Secret Beaches Near Camillo House, Mornington Peninsula

Whether you’re after gentle shallow waters, rockpools for snorkelling, cliffs to dive from, surf or pristine sand with not a soul in sight, the Mornington Peninsula has a beach for everyone.

Beat the crowds with our go-to guide of the top five secret beaches on the Mornington Peninsula. And the best bit? They’re all less than a 10 minute drive from Camillo House.

Sullivan Bay, Sorrento

Bypassed by many, Sullivan Bay is a picturesque sandy beach bordered by two striking calcarenite headlands known as The Sisters. Unlike a lot of the bay beaches on the Mornington Peninsula you won’t have to wade far into the water to submerge yourself - making this one of our favourite spots for a dip on a Summer’s day.

Sullivan Bay is a 5 minute drive from Camillo House.

Pearses Beach to Dimmicks Beach, Blairgowrie

Spectacular and secluded, the coastal stretch from Pearses Beach to Dimmicks Beach is a short walk from Camillo and the perfect place to spend an afternoon snorkelling or rock pool rambling. Awash at high tide, this pocket of four small beaches is best visited at low tide when the rock pools and reef flats are exposed.

For surf enthusiasts, the offshore reefs at Dimmicks Beach can provide high-tide breaks. Known locally as Tibir Street, this is the closest spot to Camillo that might just satisfy your surfing itch.

Pearses Beach is a ten minute stroll along The Coastal Walk from Camillo House or a five minute drive.

Diamond Bay, Sorrento

Surrounded by impressive sandstone cliffs, Diamond Bay is more protected than a lot of the other ocean beaches on the Mornington Peninsula. With extensive rock platforms, it is a popular spot for surf fishing at low tide or swimming at high tide. Diamond Bay also has the added benefit of being situated just a stone’s throw away from St. Pauls General Store, which serves up the best post-beach, salad rolls going round!

Diamond Bay is a 7 minute drive from Camillo House.

Bridgewater Bay, Blairgowrie

Timing is everything at Bridgewater Bay. Wait for low tide to discover a wonderland of rock pools. Whilst at the eastern end of the Bay, daredevils can jump from a tiered rocky outcrop that increases in height from 3, 6 or 8 metres high into a pool below. Despite the pool being a few metres deep, it is shallower near the edges and unpatrolled, so take care if you decide to take a leap.

Bridgewater Bay is a ten minute stroll along The Coastal Walk from Camillo House or a four minute drive.

Shelley Beach, Portsea

With its private jetties, colourful boat sheds and bathing boxes, Shelley Beach is picture-perfect. Nestled between Sorrento and Portsea, this secluded and protected beach is an ideal spot for swimmers, sunbathers and paddle borders. To round out a perfect day, pop into neighbourhood wine bar, Pompette, afterwards.

Shelley Beach is a ten minute drive from Camillo House.

Photography: Jane Fitzgerald for Camillo House