Victorian beaches with the most rescues and shark sightings in last year: See our map

One of Victoria’s summer hotspots has topped the list for the most surf rescues while another popular beach had the most shark sightings.

Victoria’s most dangerous beaches have been revealed, with popular summer tourist destinations topping the list.

Lorne has topped the list for most rescues, with lifeguards saving 102 lives over the past 12 months. Gunnamatta comes in second at 56 rescues, followed by Geelong’s Eastern Beach and Smiths Beach at 30 rescues each.

Lifeguards and lifesavers made more than 700 rescues across Victoria in the last year, with a quarter of the state’s total drownings occurring at beaches.

While we’re busy packing our sunscreen and towels for our summer getaways this Christmas, our lifesavers are preparing for their busiest time of year.

Lifeguard Erin Doupe keeps a watch over Sorrento Ocean Beach. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

This summer marks 20-year-old Erin Doupe’s fourth season beach lifeguarding on the Mornington Peninsula, which welcomes approximately 7.5 million visitors each year.

In the wake of recent water-related accidents across the state, Ms Doupe is reminded of a mass rescue that occurred in her first season of lifeguarding at Sorrento Back Beach.

“It was a beautiful sunny day and there were maybe four people on boogie boards and four swimmers,” Ms Doupe recalled.

“They were all confident swimmers but they just got out of their comfort zone and got stuck in a rip.

“The boogie boarders made it back to shore but I had to stay with the swimmers, all holding on to my board while we waited for a boat to come from Portsea.

“Luckily everyone was OK in the end, but sometimes people just aren’t aware of their limits.”

A third of the state’s total drownings happen in summer. Picture: Tony Gough

Like Ms Doupe, Victoria’s lifeguards and lifesavers are all too aware that a third of the state’s total drownings happen in summer, with December presenting some of the highest drowning risks, especially for bystanders who attempt to rescue others in the water.

Life Saving Victoria general manager Liam Krige said beachgoers often had misconceptions around the risks associated with swimming, saying that while sharks sound scarier, the biggest threat to swimmers are rips.

“A rip is unlikely to pull you under the water, but it will pull you out,” Mr Krige said.

“When it comes to sharks, it’s important to remember that they are a normal part of the marine environment, and to be alert, but not alarmed.”

Sorrento’s Ocean Beach recorded the most shark sightings over the past year, confirming five sightings. Lorne, Gunnamatta and Sorrento’s Front Beach followed, each recording two confirmed shark sightings.

Twenty-eight Victorians have lost their lives in the past two decades while attempting a rescue. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Krige is also urging Victorians to consider the risks if they see someone distressed in the water, with new research confirming that 28 Victorians have lost their lives attempting a rescue since 2000.

“If you believe you have the right skills, it is also imperative that you have equipment such as a surfboard or boogie board to keep yourself and the patient afloat,” he warned.

This comes after two teens were thrown from their tinny on Yarrawonga’s Lake Mulwala on Sunday, with an onlooker able to save one of the boys by swimming out to him with a flotation device. Search crews recovered the body of the second boy, 16-year-old Jack Bird, on Thursday night.

Victorians have also been warned to consider environmental conditions when planning water activities following the dramatic rescue of two men at Inverloch Beach on Wednesday night, who, despite being experienced surf skiers, ran into trouble in treacherous water conditions.

“Tragically, 18 people have already drowned in Victorian waters since 1 July,” Mr Krige said.

“Please remember – the most dangerous beach is an unpatrolled beach.”