Catlins River Mouth
Exposed beach at the Catlins River mouth with fairly consistent lefts and rights. Best on an SSE swell with a NW offshore at any tide.
Catlins River Mouth surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (157°)
- Direction range
- 98° - 178°
- Size range
- 0.75m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.4m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 11s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Offshore range
- 270° - 0°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Catlins River Mouth?
Catlins River Mouth is a beach break in Pounawea, Catlins, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Catlins River Mouth?
Catlins River Mouth picks up swell from the E round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. 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 Catlins River Mouth?
A NW wind is dead offshore at Catlins River Mouth, and anything from the W round to the N 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 Catlins River Mouth?
Catlins River Mouth isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
How cold is the water at Catlins River Mouth?
The water at Catlins River Mouth 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 Catlins River Mouth good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 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 Catlins River Mouth?
The nearest airport on our list is DUD, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Catlins River Mouth?
The closest breaks we track are Cannibal Bay (3.1 km), Nugget Point Beach (7.6 km) and Purakaunui Bay (PK Bay) (10 km), handy when Catlins River Mouth isn't working.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Cannibal Bay
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, The Catlins
Nugget Point Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SSE swell, The Catlins
Purakaunui Bay (PK Bay)
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SSE swell, The Catlins
Kaka Point
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SE swell, The Catlins
Long Point
🥝 Left-hand point • S swell magnet • The Catlins
Papatowai (Kings Rock)
🥝 Lefts and rights • Big-wave reef • S swell, The Catlins