Sorrento Bay Swim

The water here is a study in shifting blues as you push toward the Sorrento Foreshore, with the sandy bottom beneath you gradually giving way to deeper, cooler channels. Halfway through your swim, the familiar silhouette of the local coastline defines your horizon, while the quiet rhythm of your stroke is punctuated only by the distant activity near the finish line by The Baths Restaurant. You are navigating the Port Phillip bay, a vast expanse where the water remains manageable, yet demands respect for its size and exposure.

This is the Sorrento Bay Swim, an annual event that draws swimmers to the Mornington Peninsula every January. Whether you are tackling the 600m junior and novice route from Sorrento Beach, the 2,000m challenge starting at Sullivans Bay, or the 4,000m endurance test from Camerons Bight, the finish remains a constant anchor at the foreshore.

Race day logistics

The event is organized by the local Surf Life Saving Club, and the entry fees reflect the logistics required to keep the water safe, including water safety patrols and transport services for the longer distances. Fees are set at 47.50 AUD for the 600m, 80.00 AUD for the 2,000m, and 100.00 AUD for the 4,000m, all inclusive of timing devices. Participants receive a coloured swim cap and an event t-shirt. Because the start lines for the 2,000m and 4,000m events are located away from the main hub, courtesy buses are provided to ensure everyone arrives on time. Upon crossing the finish line, you must return your ankle timing strap to a volunteer to avoid a replacement fee of 115.50 AUD. The atmosphere is grounded in the local community, with the event serving as a primary fundraiser for the club’s ongoing volunteer patrols and youth education programs.