Photographer Allen McCauley said he believed some waves were up to eight metres in height.

He said it wasn't very often people could surf at Lighthouse Reef, but the huge swell made it a popular choice on Sunday.

"At the moment at Blacknose there's probably 80 guys there," he said.

"We've probably got half of Warrnambool here.

"The waves are crashing over the top of what's known as Lawrence Rocks and when it gets to that the sea is pretty high."

In Warrnambool the breakwater was lashed by huge waves for much of Sunday. A similar day is expected for the city on Monday, with a top of 16C forecast.

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