Dunedin - St Clair Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a slow start, then a couple of real standouts coming through for Dunedin’s St Clair. This spot is a beach and point, exposed to the south swell, so it’s got a solid foundation when the ocean delivers. The water’s sitting around 50°, which is about 2° warmer than average for this time of year – a bit of a treat, really.

The first decent surf worth mentioning kicks off Sunday the 12th of July. It’s small, clean, and inviting. The morning session is the pick with a light offshore breeze from the NW, only 6 mph, and a little 2ft swell coming from the SSW with a very long period of 15 seconds. That’s classic groundswell energy, and the combined energy is in the moderate range at 322. It’s glassy, clean, and perfect for a beginner. The afternoon sees the wind swing to a cross-off, but it’s still tidy.

Monday the 13th is a write-off – poor conditions, so give it a miss. Tuesday the 14th is surfable but very ordinary, with a tiny 1ft to 1ft swell and moderate offshore winds. Not worth getting worked up about.

Now, here’s the first real standout. Wednesday the 15th of July. The morning is an absolute ripper. Glassy conditions – wind from the NNW at just 3 mph, and the swell lifts to 3ft from the SSW with a very long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy jumps to a strong 507, and it’s described as “glassy”. That’s the best early window. The afternoon holds glassy conditions too, though the swell drops a touch.

Thursday the 16th stays clean with a gentle offshore in the morning, and the swell builds to 3ft by the afternoon with moderate energy. Friday the 17th morning sees a 4ft SSW swell, period of 13 seconds, and solid energy at 726. Clean, cross-off wind. It’s looking very good for experienced beginners.

But here’s the big alert. Friday afternoon through Saturday the 18th, the swell absolutely hammers the coast. We’re talking 10ft from the SW and S, with periods around 14-17 seconds, and combined energy readings of 4869 and 5202 – that’s very strong. The wind is favourable, but that’s far too big for this break. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s a serious session. Not for the faint-hearted.

Sunday the 19th of July morning is still big, but it drops to 7ft from the S, with a period of 12 seconds and energy at 1376. The wind is cross-off, and it’s clean. This is labelled as excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon, however, gets messy with a strong cross-shore wind and a 5ft swell – marginal.

Monday the 20th is a nice reset. The morning brings a 2ft S swell with a very long period of 16 seconds, light offshore wind from the north, and strong energy at 510. Clean and very good. The afternoon is a smaller 4ft with a shorter period, but still fun.

Tuesday the 21st is a solid, consistent day with 3ft to 3ft from the S, periods around 11-12 seconds, and light offshore winds. Good, clean, surfable waves.

Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are largely poor to marginal, with a lot of cross-off wind and messy conditions. The swell tries to build again, but the wind is not playing ball. Friday the 24th afternoon sees a 5ft ESE swell, period of 8 seconds, with light wind – it’s clean, but the period is short and choppy.

Saturday the 25th of July morning is a gem. Glassy conditions, wind from the NNW at just 3 mph, and a 4ft ESE swell. The period is short at 7 seconds, but it’s clean and fun. The afternoon sees a long-period S swell at 2ft with 18 seconds, but it’s tiny.

Now, the second standout. Sunday the 26th of July and Monday the 27th. Sunday morning has a 8ft east swell, period of 13 seconds, with a light offshore from the north. The combined energy is a massive 2056. This is very big, very clean, and labelled as too big for this break in the guidance – but it’s a serious wall for experts. Monday the 27th is the real prize for experienced surfers: the morning has a 7ft east swell, period of 12 seconds, strong energy at 1143, and a light offshore. The afternoon is glassy with a 6ft easterly, period of 12 seconds, and energy at 1028. That’s going to be a clean, powerful, and memorable session.

Crowds at St Clair can be a factor sometimes, so if you’re after space, be early for the standouts. Overall, the best on offer is Wednesday the 15th morning for the clean, glassy, long-period groundswell, and Monday the 27th of July for the big, clean, powerful east swell. Both are worth blocking out time for.

Rusty.

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