Stingray Bay (so-named because of its mostly harmless inhabitants) is a popular Warrnambool swimming beach, its wide sandy expance between the small sheltered bay and the mouth of the Merri River providing a perfect summer holiday spot for families. Warrnambool's often windy weather makes the wooden windbreak fence a welcome shelter.
The closer of the two islands that fringe the bay is home to Little Penguins, and is closed to human visitors. Some years ago the penguin colony was almost wiped out by marauding foxes, but has recovered since maremma dogs were introduced to the island as protection for the penguins.
