South Melbourne and Port Melbourne Life Saving Clubs patrol a 1.5 km section of beach between the Kerferd Road and Lagoon piers. The reason for having two clubs is that the boundary of South and Port Melbourne Shires crosses the beach midway between each club. The low beach is backed by Beaconsfield Parade, as well as a low seawall and promenade. While the South Melbourne Surf Club was established in 1927, the Port Melbourne Life Saving Club was formed in 1913, but it now occupies a new building. Both clubs incorporate dressing rooms and kiosks.
The beach faces the south-south-west, and can receive moderate waves during strong southerly winds. When these occur, they maintain a 100 m wide beach fronted by a 50 m wide bar, that is usually attached to the beach, with occasional rip channels. The rips are only active when waves are breaking over the bar.
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.