Anglesea Beach, Victoria: Swimming safety and surfing lessons

On the Great Ocean Road, Anglesea Beach offers relatively safe swimming and kind conditions for novice surfers. You can also learn-to-surf lessons in Anglesea.

Anglesea Beach is not generally regarded as the best on the Great Ocean Road. The likes of Bells Beach and Johanna Beach will always top it for surfing, while the likes of Childers Cove will win on the looks front.

The top reason to visit Anglesea Beach is surfing lessons, which can be booked online.

Anglesea Beach, however, is like Lorne Beach in that is has a delightful seaside town behind it. You can stay in the town overnight and walk down to the beach in the morning. Accessibility is key – you don’t need to get in the car and drive to Anglesea Beach from your hotel or the Anglesea Caravan Park.

7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.

Is it safe to swim at Anglesea Beach?

This Great Ocean Road beach is around 400 metres long, and is reasonably safe for swimming. It is patrolled by surf lifesavers, and Point Roadknight protects Anglesea Beach from the most ferocious ocean swells.

Swimmers at Anglesea Beach, however, should watch out for rips at the southern end of the beach near the rocks.

Don’t go thinking Anglesea Beach is a totally placid duckpond, however. It still gets waves, mostly suitable for novice surfers still working on their techniques.

Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne

For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.

Anglesea Beach on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Anglesea surfing lessons

If you wish to tackle the surf yourself, then Go Ride A Wave just opposite the beach rents out surfboards and wetsuits. It also offers Anglesea Beach surfing lessons, beginning with a two hour introductory course.

This Anglesea surfing lesson covers the basic techniques of surfing and should have you standing on your board by the end of the session. The Go Ride A Wave lessons cost from $79 in a group lesson, but private lessons are also available for anyone wanting one-on-one tuition. Bookings can be made online.

Anglesea is on the Torquay to Lorne stretch of the Great Ocean Road. Other Anglesea attractions include the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and the kangaroos on the Anglesea Golf Course.

Where to stay in Anglesea

The best Anglesea accommodation choices are:

For best overall quality: Great Ocean Road Resort.
For a solid, affordable motel: Anglesea Riverside Motel.
For backpackers: Anglesea Backpackers.
For keeping the kids occupied: Anglesea Family Caravan Park.

More Great Ocean Road beaches