Dunedin - Middle Beach (Moana Rua) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for us at Dunedin’s Middle Beach, also known as Moana Rua. This is a consistent, exposed beginner-friendly stretch that picks up a lot of south in the swell window. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing too wild there.

First thing’s first – the early part of the week is a write-off. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are a complete mess. We’re looking at a strong 12 ft to 13 ft SSW swell with a ton of energy, but the wind is howling out of the WSW and SW at 22–28 mph, blowing cross-shore and cross-onshore. It’s lumpy, chopped, and just plain ugly. No point even looking at it.

Come Wednesday the 5th, things flip. The wind drops right out to a light 6 mph WNW breeze, going cross-offshore. The swell drops to a clean 8 ft from the SSE, with a 11-second period. That’s a good, long period for a point or reef, but at a beach break like Middle Beach, it might run a little straight. Still, for experienced surfers, this is the standout window. The morning session on Wednesday is the best on offer in the near term. Clean, lined up, and with that much energy, you’ll get some proper walls.

Thursday the 6th keeps the good vibes going with a smaller 5 ft SSE swell in the morning, light WNW cross-off wind, and clean conditions. The afternoon sees a shift to a 4 ft SE swell with a 11-second period, still clean. Nothing huge, but very surfable.

Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th are marginal. Small 3 ft S swell, clean but weak. The wind is light and cross-off, so the surface is glassy, but there’s just not enough push. You could get a few longboard waves, but don’t set your alarm.

Sunday the 9th stays small and clean, but still marginal.

Now, here’s a run of good news starting Monday the 10th. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the SSE, with a 12-second period. Light offshore N wind. Clean. That trend continues into Tuesday the 11th with a 6 ft E swell, 10-second period, and offshore N wind. Really clean, good shape. The morning window is the pick.

Wednesday the 12th is smaller again, but still clean with a 4 ft ESE swell.

Then Thursday the 13th brings a long-period SSW groundswell – 3 ft at 17 seconds! That’s a very long period, meaning it’ll wrap in nicely but the sets will be spaced out. Light offshore N wind. Clean. For a long-period swell like this, a beach break can be a bit straight, but with the offshore wind, it’ll still be fun.

Friday the 14th is small and ordinary.

But hold on – Saturday the 15th is a proper standout for the second week. The morning is glassy, flat calm, with a 3 ft E swell. Then the afternoon picks up to 5 ft E swell at 11 seconds, and it’s glassy. That’s clean, lined-up, and with that period, you’ll get some nice walls. This is the long-range gem to keep an eye on.

Sunday the 16th keeps it clean with a 5 ft ESE swell, offshore NNW wind, and strong energy. The morning is the call.

Monday the 17th goes back to poor conditions with rain showers and a strong cross-shore wind.

Finally, Tuesday the 18th brings a clean 6 ft E swell with offshore NNW wind. Good morning session to wrap things up.

Best bet this whole period? Wednesday the 5th morning for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful swell, and then Saturday the 15th afternoon for that glassy, long-period gem. Get out there.

Rusty.

Read more