Chelsea Beach

Chelsea Beach sits on The Strand at Chelsea, on the shores of Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne's south-east. A wide, sandy bayside beach with calm, gentle waters, it's a beloved family-friendly spot — the kind of relaxed, safe-swimming beach that draws locals and day-trippers throughout the warmer months.

The appeal is that combination of soft sand, sheltered bay waters perfect for swimming and paddling, and a laid-back seaside atmosphere, with the foreshore reserve, walking paths and nearby cafes adding to the appeal. It's an easy, accessible beach day away from the surf, well suited to families and anyone after a calm swim and a relaxed afternoon by the bay.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 3,100 reviews, it's a much-loved beach. It's free and open year-round, but swimming conditions, the foreshore facilities and parking vary, and it gets busy on warm weekends and over summer, so it's worth checking conditions before you go — and taking sun protection and being mindful of the conditions, especially when bringing young children for a swim.