In January 2024, four people lost their lives at Forrest Caves on Phillip Island, the worst incidence of mass drowning in the state in nearly two decades.
In findings handed down late last year, Coroner Sarah Gebert identified a particular risk of coastline drownings for those from multicultural communities and CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds.
For anyone visiting our beaches, it is important to understand local conditions and only swim between the flags at a patrolled beach.
Currently Woolamai, Smiths Beach and Cowes foreshore beach are patrolled daily between 10am and 6pm.
Dangerous
In the last few months, new signs have been erected at the bottom of staircases and at the direct entry point of several high-risk beaches across Phillip Island and Bass Coast.
The signs read: "Warning. Swimming not advised," and have a QR code link to the Life Saving Victoria Beachsafe App - which provides information on which beaches are patrolled in a multi-lingual format.
Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club has urged people not to swim at unpatrolled locations, with club president Jason Close stating, "Phillip Island has approximately 100km of coastline and life savers and lifeguards cannot be everywhere all of the time."
He said there were a number of beaches which due to their remoteness, limited accessibility and beach conditions, they did not want people to swim at.
He stressed swimming at any unpatrolled beach is not advisable, but Anzacs, Colonnades, Forrest Caves, Surf Beach, Berrys Beach and Kilcunda were of particular concern.
"Each of these beaches is unpatrolled and can be hazardous for swimming. Their remoteness means it takes time for help to arrive, and this can often mean it is too late.
"Some of these beaches can also be very difficult for first responders to access."
Find out more about some of the most dangerous beaches on Phillip Island, and why they are considered particularly hazardous:
Most dangerous island beaches: Colonnades
Most dangerous island beaches: Berrys Beach
Most dangerous island beaches: Surf Beach
Be safe
Before heading to the beach this summer, download the Beachsafe app.
The app provides detailed information from patrol status, facilities and hazards to weather, swell and tide.
One of the biggest hazards on island beaches are rips, which can be hard to spot for those unfamiliar with conditions, and can be deadly.
Beachsafe has clear information and videos on how to spot a rip.
Image: Can you spot a rip? Recognising a rip is the first step to avoid being caught in one. This aerial photo shows a series of rips along the Cape Woolamai coastline.