The Carrum Winter Solstice Swim is a salty, spirited tradition that transforms the coldest time of the year into something bold, beautiful, and worth celebrating. Held at golden hour on the eve of the solstice, this annual dip draws together a colourful crew of brave swimmers, cheerful onlookers, local legends, and curious first-timers, all united by a shared love of the water and a willingness to do something a little bit wild.

As the sun sinks low over Port Phillip Bay, swimmers gather on the sand, wrapped in towels, robes, and anticipation. The energy is part festival, part ritual, and entirely feel-good. There are costumes. There’s cheering. There’s that magical moment when the crowd counts down and suddenly you’re charging into cold water, grinning through the chill, and high-fiving strangers who feel like friends.

Whether you’re doing it for the personal challenge, the community camaraderie, or the bragging rights of joining a midwinter ocean plunge, this swim is less about distance and more about connection, with nature, with others, and maybe with your inner penguin.

It’s a quick dip that leaves a lasting impression, and a reminder that even in the depths of winter, the ocean still brings people together, with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of heart.