Submarine sighting at Cowes

There was an unexpected visitor to Phillip Island when a submarine anchored just off the jetty in Cowes on Friday morning.

A crowd gathered on the foreshore and jetty taking photos, and men could be seen moving about on the outside of the submarine.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defence confirmed a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarine was in the waters surrounding the island on March 27.

"Royal Australian Navy submarines regularly pass through and train in Australian waters, and visit Australian ports," they said.

"For operational security reasons, Defence does not provide the names, positions or activities of its submarines."

Sub sightings have become relatively common in recent years.

Three RAN submarines were in the area in February 2024, and a submarine was spotted off Cowes in April 2023.

There was a submarine off the Nobbies and Kitty Miller Bay in May 2022, while another surfaced around 8am one morning off Silverwater in March 2022.

In all instances, the Department of Defence confirmed a RAN submarine was in the area.