Marengo Beach

Marengo Beach is a sandy and rocky Southern Ocean shore near Apollo Bay. Its main appeal is stretching out a walk along the water, with surf and reef scenery instead of a sheltered town beach. Visitors sometimes spot Australian Fur Seals offshore, but they are not guaranteed. Swimming depends on conditions: Parks Victoria warns of strong currents and undertows around the beach and sanctuary, as well as large unexpected waves on rock platforms.

The nearby Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary protects 12.5 hectares around Little Henty Reef, less than 50 metres offshore. At very low tide the inner reef can be reached on foot from Hayley Point; otherwise the reef is approached by boat or small watercraft. Its pools and ledges are worth a close look when the tide and sea allow. The larger reef island is a protected seal haul-out, and landing there is prohibited. Binoculars help with seals seen from shore.

Henty and Little Henty are low sandstone formations worn down by waves over thousands of years; they now barely rise above the surface. The intertidal pools shelter sea snails such as abalone and periwinkles, while Bull Kelp and other seaweeds fringe the islands. A sheltered channel between them supports sea squirts and sponges. You can get a good sense of this small marine world from shore without approaching the seals.