Beach Report
Beach Report helps you decide when and where to swim in Port Phillip Bay
Map pins are available via the tab key in a list after the map.
You can pan the map with the keyboard arrows.
Map pins are available via the tab key in a list after the map.
You can move the map using the keyboard arrows.
EPA forecasts water quality for 36 beaches in Port Phillip Bay.
The forecasts predict the risk of stormwater pollution during and after rain. The forecast predictions are based on rain, water quality history, sunlight, regular sampling results, and pollution reports.
EPA also issues alerts when there is an issue affecting a water body in Victoria.
Beach Report season is now open. Always check for signs of pollution before you swim.
Avoid swimming near stormwater or river outlets 24-48 hours after heavy rain.
Always check for signs of pollution before swimming. For example, stormwater drains flowing, murky water, bad smell, and rubbish.
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Fair
Alert issued
Fair
Alert issued
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Fair
Alert issued
Fair
Alert issued
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Fair
Alert issued
Fair
Alert issued
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Poor
Alert issued
Poor
Alert issued
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Fair
Alert issued
Fair
Alert issued
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Good
Stormwater pollution unlikely
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Poor
Based on historical data
Poor
Based on historical data
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Poor
Based on historical data
Poor
Based on historical data
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Poor
Based on historical data
Poor
Based on historical data
Updated 3pm 10 Dec 2024 AEST
Fair
Recent rain. Stormwater pollution possible
Fair
Recent rain. Stormwater pollution possible
Suitable for swimming
May not be suitable for swimming
Not suitable for swimming
City bylaws prevent swimming
For healthy swimming:
Children, older people and people with a weakened immune system are most at risk of getting sick from polluted water. You should see your doctor if you suspect you are unwell from swimming.
EPA posts forecasts on this website, Twitter, and signs at lifesaving clubs (on weekends and public holidays).
Water quality forecasts are generated at 10 am and 3 pm each day. At 10 am, the forecast predicts water quality between 10 am and 3 pm. At 3 pm, two forecasts are generated, an afternoon and next day forecast. An afternoon forecast predicts water quality between 3 pm to 12 am and is displayed on the Beach Report map at this time. The next day forecast predicts water quality for the 24 hours from midnight, and updates on the map at 12 am.
A preview of the forecast for the next day is available from 3 pm. You can find this preview under the ‘tomorrow’ heading when you click on a forecast pin on the map.
Next day forecasts reflect the most conservative rating of water quality for an entire day. If water quality is likely to be Fair or Poor at any time that day, that is what our next day forecast will show. For example, water quality could be Good in the morning, but turning Poor in the evening due to rain. In this case, our next day forecast would show Poor for the entire day.
Water quality can change with weather conditions such as significant rainfall. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website for the latest weather conditions before you swim.
Always look for signs of poor water quality before you swim. Signs of Poor water quality includes water which is discoloured, murky or smells unpleasant.
There are two kinds of recreational water activity:
EPA water quality forecasts of Good, Fair and Poor are for primary contact recreation. Secondary contact with the water poses a reduced risk of illness as you are less likely to ingest the water. EPA long term water quality monitoring shows our microbial indicators only very rarely exceed secondary contact criteria.
The table below provides a detailed explanation of forecasts and ratings.
Forecast | Forecast reason | Action/advice |
---|---|---|
Good | No recent or forecast rain, stormwater pollution unlikely | Suitable for swimming |
Fair | Reason 1: Low level rain or showers are forecast | Has it rained yet? Check the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) or Melbourne Water rain gauges near your beach, or BOM forecast to see when rain is due. |
Fair | Reason 2: There has been a small amount of rain or showers, causing risk of stormwater pollution at beaches | Check for signs of pollution – drains flowing, murky water, bad smell, rubbish on water’s edge. |
Fair | Reason 3: There may be a water quality alert for your beach | Check the forecast by clicking on pin on Beach Report map or go to water quality alert. |
Poor | Recent or forecast rain, stormwater pollution likely | Not suitable for swimming |
Samples are collected at 36 beaches around Port Phillip Bay fortnightly. These samples are tested for enterococci, an indicator of faecal pollution (e.g., sewage, animal faeces). Swimmers who ingest water contaminated by faecal pollution may become ill.
Lab analyses to determine enterococci levels take 24 hours. Results are reported to the community the day after samples were collected. If microbial water quality standards are not met and there hasn’t been any recent rain, EPA takes a second sample to investigate further. Water quality is expected to meet standards if there hasn’t not been rain and stormwater pollution.
You can view recent sampling results for Beach Report sites at DataVic.
Sign up to EPA’s free SMS service. You'll get a text when the water at a beach near you is forecast to have poor water quality.
EPA forecasts predict the risk of stormwater pollution during and after rain. The forecasts are based on rain, water quality history, sunlight, regular sampling, and pollution reports.
The forecasts are informed by water sample results. The samples are tested for bacteria found in faeces called enterococci. Enterococci is the best indicator for measuring pollution from faecal contamination at beaches.
Our water sampling results are assessed against water quality standards for swimming in the Environment Reference Standard which came into effect in 2021.
Forecasts predict the risk of stormwater pollution at Bay beaches. Beach Report forecasts are based on:
The reason a forecast has been provided for each beach can be seen when selecting its pin on the Beach Report map on this page.
Beach Report forecasts are a starting point for decision making. Water quality can be variable over large areas and over time. Always check for signs of pollution before entering the water.
You can use the following information to support your decision to swim.
Reviewed 19 December 2023