Edithvale Beach is one of Melbourne's most accessible Port Phillip Bay beaches, sitting 37 km south of the CBD in the City of Kingston. It holds 4.7 stars across 315 reviews on BeachCheck, which puts it among the highest-rated beaches on the bay's eastern shore. This guide covers what the water is actually like, how to get there, and which nearby beaches are worth combining into a day trip.
Edithvale Beach
Edithvale Beach sits parallel to the Nepean Highway, which makes it very easy to spot but also means some road noise at the car park end. The sand stretches for about 1 km and the water is genuinely shallow on the inner bar, making it one of the better swimming options on this stretch of bay coastline for families with young kids.
The beach is patrolled during summer (October through April) by Edithvale-Aspendale Life Saving Club, and the safe swimming zone is marked between the flags. Outside of flagged hours, the inner bar is still generally calm, but rip holes form near the outer trough so staying in the shallower section is the sensible call.
Dog owners have access to an off-leash section outside the patrolled zone. The beach is formally dog-friendly per BeachCheck's directory data, which is confirmed by the volume of dog-focused reviews the beach receives.
Getting there: Edithvale train station is 200 metres east of the beach on the Frankston line. From Melbourne CBD, it's about 45 minutes by train. Parking is limited at the beach directly, so the train is genuinely the better option on summer weekends. If you drive, street parking is available along Beach Road but fills quickly from mid-morning on warm days.
Food: The Sand Dunes Kiosk operates at the beach during summer and sells coffee, burgers, and snacks. For a full sit-down meal, Edithvale's small shopping strip is a short walk east.
Best for: Families with young children, dog walkers, anyone coming by train from the south-east suburbs.
Mentone Beach
Mentone Beach is 3 km north of Edithvale and rates 4.6 stars across 961 reviews on BeachCheck. It's slightly busier than Edithvale with a more developed foreshore: a kiosk, BBQ facilities, and a playground make it a common choice for larger group outings.
Like Edithvale, Mentone is dog-friendly with a designated off-leash zone. The calm bay water and long foreshore path connecting to neighbouring beaches make it popular with walkers year-round, not just summer swimmers.
View Mentone Beach on BeachCheck
Chelsea Beach
Chelsea Beach is the busiest of the three nearby beaches covered here, with 3,043 reviews and a 4.6-star rating on BeachCheck. It sits 2 km south of Edithvale and has a more substantial strip of shops, cafes, and restaurants immediately behind the foreshore.
Chelsea is the better option if you want beach access alongside a proper lunch or coffee. The beach itself is similar in character to Edithvale: calm bay water, shallow entry, sandy bottom. It draws a slightly older crowd on weekdays and gets busy with families on summer weekends.
View Chelsea Beach on BeachCheck
Mordialloc Beach
Mordialloc Beach rates 4.7 stars across 494 reviews and is 5 km north of Edithvale. It sits at the mouth of Mordialloc Creek, which adds some visual interest to the foreshore, and the Mordialloc town centre is walking distance from the sand.
Mordialloc is dog-friendly, and the creek mouth area sees a lot of dog walkers in the early morning. The beach is a reasonable option if you want Edithvale-style calm water with slightly better cafe options close by.
View Mordialloc Beach on BeachCheck
Getting the Most Out of Edithvale Beach
A few practical points that don't show up in most guides:
Timing. The beach faces west, which means afternoon light is ideal for swimming and photography. Morning visits in summer are cooler and less crowded. School holidays (December through January, and early April) are the busiest periods.
Parking reality. The car park directly at the beach has a small number of spaces and paid parking applies. On weekends from November to March, it fills by 9:30 am. The train is the practical choice unless you arrive early.
Water temperature. Port Phillip Bay water warms up significantly by late January and February, typically reaching 22-24°C. It's noticeably cooler in October and November when the bay hasn't had time to warm. If water temperature matters, late January through early March is the window.
The new lifesaving centre. As of 2025, a new lifesaving facility was completed at Edithvale Beach. Facilities include improved toilets and shade structures adjacent to the patrolled zone.
For a full list of facilities, current conditions, and directions, see Edithvale Beach on BeachCheck.