St Clair
St Clair is cold water surfing at its most rewarding—Dunedin's main beach break exposed to the roaring forties, where consistent southern swells meet dedicated locals in 5mm wetsuits and booties. The wave offers both beach break peaks and a right-hand rock point section, providing variety for all conditions. What St Clair lacks in tropical warmth it compensates with wild beauty: the dramatic Otago coastline, the Southern Alps as a distant backdrop, and a surf community forged in conditions that would send fair-weather surfers running. This is New Zealand's deep south, where the waves are cold but the stoke runs hot.
St Clair 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
- 150° - 220°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 320° - 40°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
5/10
👥 Spring Break (Sep 26 – Oct 12) — expect extra crowds
Access: 23km from Dunedin Airport. Right in Dunedin city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at St Clair?
The St Clair profile favors the recorded tide range, ideally between 0.4m and 1.6m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at St Clair?
The St Clair profile uses wind from N (0°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 320° to 40°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at St Clair?
The St Clair scoring profile favors swell from S (150° to 220°), a swell-height range of 0.6m to 2.5m, and a reference period of 14s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf St Clair?
The main season at St Clair is Mar-Oct. A secondary window runs Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb. Consistent S swells. Medium-high consistency year-round.
How do I get to St Clair?
The spot profile lists DUD as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 20 minutes. 23km from Dunedin Airport. Right in Dunedin city.
What kind of wave is St Clair?
St Clair is a beach break, a right-hander. Difficulty is rated 5/10.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Consistent S swells. Medium-high consistency year-round.
Getting There
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