Tomahawk Beach
Exposed beach on the city side of the Otago Peninsula, east of Lawyers Head. Reliable on a south swell with a north offshore and rarely crowded.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 112° - 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
- All tides
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
3/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Tomahawk Beach?
Tomahawk Beach is a beach break in Dunedin, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Tomahawk Beach?
Tomahawk 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 Tomahawk Beach?
A N wind is dead offshore at Tomahawk 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.
When is the best time of year to surf Tomahawk Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Tomahawk Beach comes Dec to Feb, through the southern summer.
How cold is the water at Tomahawk Beach?
The water at Tomahawk 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 Tomahawk 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. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Things to watch for: sharks and strong rips.
How do I get to Tomahawk Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is DUD, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Tomahawk Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Smaills Beach (1.3 km), St Kilda Beach (2.4 km) and St Clair (4.8 km), handy when Tomahawk Beach isn't working. We track 5 spots around Dunedin in total.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Smaills Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Dunedin south coast
St Kilda Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Dunedin south coast
St Clair
❄️ Southern Ocean cold • Roaring forties power • Deep south dedication
Boulder Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Otago Peninsula
Sandfly Bay
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Otago Peninsula
Blackhead
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SE swell, Dunedin south coast