Last fact-verified Thu, 30 Apr 2026
Quick facts
| Type | Jetty |
| Water body | Western Port |
| Best season | October to March (snapper); November to March (whiting); year-round (squid) |
| Parking | Available in San Remo foreshore area; verify current fee status |
| Tide reference station | Stony Point |
| Public toilets | Yes |
| Accessibility | Flat foreshore approach to jetty. Some sections may have age-related surface variation; verify current condition. |
| Top species | snapper , king george whiting , squid |
What this location is
San Remo Jetty extends into the channel between San Remo (on the Peninsula side, technically Bass Coast Shire) and Newhaven on Phillip Island. The channel is the eastern entrance of Western Port, and the constriction between the two shores produces the strongest tidal current of any Peninsula land-based fishing location. The local commercial fishing fleet operates from the San Remo wharf area, and pelican-feeding sessions are a regular foreshore tourist attraction; the angling environment is one part of a working fishing village.
The species mix is full Western Port. Snapper through summer (peak November to February), whiting on the rising tide November to March, squid year-round. The strong current concentrates baitfish through the channel during running phases, and the species mix that follows them through the channel produces fast sessions when the tide is right. Slack water sessions produce nothing.
Tide and access
Use the Stony Point reference station for Western Port tidal predictions. The current at San Remo is the strongest at any Peninsula land-based location; size your sinker to the tidal phase, not to the depth. 60 to 100g during the peak run is normal; slacker phases can fish lighter rigs.
The walkway to the jetty is at foreshore level and accessible at all tidal states. The jetty itself is an older structure; check the Bass Coast Shire for current condition notices before relying on outer sections.
Best technique
Western Port techniques apply, scaled up for the current. Heavy paternoster (two droppers, 80cm fluorocarbon traces, size 4/0 to 6/0 hooks) on fresh squid or pilchard for snapper. Whiting on a running sinker rig with size 4 to 6 long-shank hooks and pipi or yabby bait. Squid jigs sized 3.0 to 3.5; allow the jig to swing in the current rather than work it actively in still water (still water does not exist here at peak phase).
Safety notes
Strong tidal current at peak run is the headline risk. The water adjacent to the jetty is deep and fast-moving during the running phases; do not enter the water at any tidal state. The channel handles commercial fishing vessel traffic, the Newhaven passenger ferry, and recreational boats; stay clear of the marked channel.
Cross-links
- Stony Point Pier for the comparable strong-current Western Port option.
- Cowes Jetty is on the Phillip Island side of the same bay system.
Species this location holds
- King George Whiting · January to April (Port Phillip Bay) · 20 per person per day
- Snapper · October to December · 10 per person per day
- Southern Calamari · March to June (autumn aggregation) · 10 per person per day
Frequently asked questions
Why is San Remo''s tide stronger than other Peninsula locations?
San Remo sits at the narrow channel entrance to Western Port between San Remo and Newhaven. The full Western Port tidal exchange (approximately 2.5 to 2.8m range) flows through this constriction at every phase of the tide, producing current that is faster than at any wider section of the bay. The practical effect: heavier sinkers (60 to 100g and beyond at peak run), tighter timing of fishing windows around running phases, and the absolute necessity of avoiding slack water if you want fish.
How does San Remo compare to Stony Point Pier?
Both are demanding tide-driven Western Port locations. San Remo has the strongest current; Stony Point has the deepest channel water close to the pier. Both reward anglers who plan around running phases; both are uncompromising about slack water. For accessibility and amenities, Stony Point's ferry terminal and ramp precinct is more developed; San Remo is a working-fishing-village foreshore.
Are there charters from San Remo?
Yes, the Western Port operators based at Hastings and Stony Point fish the same channel network that the San Remo Jetty extends into. From the jetty, the boat traffic visible during productive sessions is partly recreational and partly the local commercial fishing fleet that operates from the San Remo wharf. Browse Peninsula fishing charters for Western Port operators.
Related
Bag limits, size limits, and licensing are sourced from the Victorian Fisheries Authority. Confirm with VFA before fishing.