Boulder Beach
Exposed south-facing beach on the Otago Peninsula, rarely crowded. Best on a south swell with a north offshore, around low tide.
Boulder Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 108° - 248°
- Size range
- 0.75m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.4m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 11s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Boulder Beach?
Boulder Beach is a beach break in Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Boulder Beach?
Boulder Beach picks up swell from the ESE round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 0.75m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.4m. Period matters too: aim for 11s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Boulder Beach?
A N wind is dead offshore at Boulder Beach, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Boulder Beach?
Boulder Beach is at its best around low tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Boulder Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Boulder Beach comes Dec to Feb, through the southern summer.
How cold is the water at Boulder Beach?
The water at Boulder Beach averages around 12°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Boulder Beach good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Things to watch for: sharks and strong rips.
How do I get to Boulder Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is DUD, then it's roughly a 40-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Boulder Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Sandfly Bay (2.7 km), Smaills Beach (4.2 km) and Tomahawk Beach (5.4 km), handy when Boulder Beach isn't working. We track 6 spots around Otago Peninsula in total.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Sandfly Bay
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Otago Peninsula
Smaills Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Dunedin south coast
Tomahawk Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Dunedin south coast
Allans Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SSE swell, Otago Peninsula
St Kilda Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Dunedin south coast
St Clair
❄️ Southern Ocean cold • Roaring forties power • Deep south dedication