6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Phillip Island, AUS

Phillip Island: a haven for paddleboard enthusiasts.

Have you ever imagined gliding across idyllic waters while taking in breathtaking views?

The best places to paddle board in Phillip Island, Australia are beckoning you.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of this exhilarating island. Ready to embark?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Phillip Island

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 15 °C from September through May. January is the warmest month, averaging 23 °C, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: Victoria is the strictest of the Australian states for paddleboarding: a Level 50 or Level 50S lifejacket must be worn once you are more than 400 m from shore, and a white light is required at night or in reduced visibility. A leg leash is strongly recommended at all times.

Where to Paddle Board in Phillip Island

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Cowes Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Cowes Foreshore Reserve (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, protected bay, can be windy
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, fur seals, seabirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Cowes Jetty, Western Port Bay view
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of beachgoers, currents, and boat traffic

Cowes Beach is a popular spot along the northern coast of Phillip Island. Its calm waters and stunning views make it perfect for paddleboarding, especially for beginners.

Keep an eye out for the playful dolphins and fur seals that call this area home.

#2 Cat Bay

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Cat Bay Beach Carpark (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Sheltered waters, mild currents, can be windy in the afternoon
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, seals, shorebirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Captivating coastal scenery, Anser Isthmus
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be prepared for changing weather conditions, check tide conditions, respect marine reserves

Cat Bay, situated on the western side of Phillip Island, is a secluded spot offering picturesque views and a serene environment.

The calm and sheltered waters make it an ideal location for paddleboarding, amidst captivating coastal scenery and vibrant marine life.

#3 Rhyll Inlet

🏖️ Location Type: Inlet
📍 Access Point: Rhyll Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, sheltered waters, mild tidal currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, mangrove-dwelling species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Rhyll Wetlands, Conservation Hill Reserve
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect wildlife, avoid sensitive areas, and be mindful of tide conditions

Rhyll Inlet, a sheltered waterway on Phillip Island’s eastern coast, offers a peaceful paddleboarding experience through its tranquil wetlands and mangroves.

The calm waters and abundant wildlife make Rhyll Inlet an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.

#4 Newhaven Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Newhaven Beach Cove (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, protected waters, afternoon winds possible
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, dolphins
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Newhaven Jetty, view of Churchill Island
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of swimmers and boating traffic, respect marine life

Newhaven Beach, located on the eastern end of Phillip Island, offers calm and protected waters for paddleboarders.

The picturesque view of Churchill Island and the nearby Newhaven Jetty make it a scenic and enjoyable spot for all skill levels.

#5 Silverleaves Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Silverleaves Ave (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild ocean swells
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, dolphins, seals
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Leafy foreshore, view of Western Port Bay
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for swimmers, be cautious of boat traffic

Silverleaves Beach, situated on Phillip Island’s northern coast, offers an idyllic setting for paddleboarding with its calm waters and leafy foreshore.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the frequent sightings of dolphins and seals, while the beach’s serene atmosphere makes it an inviting location for relaxation.

#6 Ventnor Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Ventnor Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, protected by reefs, can be windy
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, dolphin, seals
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Coastal dunes and vegetation
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Beware of submerged rocks and reefs, be respectful of nesting birds and dog restrictions

Ventnor Beach, located on Phillip Island’s western coast, offers calm, reef-protected waters ideal for paddleboarding.

The scenic coastal dunes and vegetation enhance the paddleboarding experience, while frequent wildlife sightings of seabirds, dolphins, and seals make it an attractive spot for nature lovers.

Phillip Island is cold, clear and often windy, with the sheltered northern side saving the day. The Sunshine Coast is the warm opposite, Newcastle the mid-coast option, Perth the western one.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case