St Kilda Beach
Consistent city beach running east from St Clair, with lefts and rights on south swell and a NNW offshore. A little more sheltered and less crowded than St Clair.
St Kilda 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
- 105° - 248°
- Size range
- 0.75m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.4m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 11s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (337°)
- Offshore range
- 292° - 22°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- All tides
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
5/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is St Kilda Beach?
St Kilda Beach is a beach break in Dunedin, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at St Kilda Beach?
St Kilda 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 St Kilda Beach?
A NNW wind is dead offshore at St Kilda Beach, and anything from the WNW round to the NNE 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.
How cold is the water at St Kilda Beach?
The water at St Kilda 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 St Kilda Beach 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. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Things to watch for: sharks and strong rips.
How do I get to St Kilda Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is DUD, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near St Kilda Beach?
The closest breaks we track are St Clair (2.4 km), Tomahawk Beach (2.4 km) and Smaills Beach (3.7 km), handy when St Kilda Beach isn't working. We track 5 spots around Dunedin in total.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
St Clair
❄️ Southern Ocean cold • Roaring forties power • Deep south dedication
Tomahawk Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Dunedin south coast
Smaills Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Dunedin south coast
Blackhead
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SE swell, Dunedin south coast
Boulder Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Otago Peninsula
Sandfly Bay
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Otago Peninsula