Surf Forecasts:
Dunedin - St Clair surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 10,773 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dunedin - St Clair this week:
The surf forecast for Dunedin - St Clair over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dunedin - St Clair in the next 16 days are 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dunedin - St Clair over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for our local stretch.
The first week kicks off real slow. A very small, long-period groundswell tries to show up mid-week, but it’s hardly worth paddling out for. The main event looks like it’ll be the following weekend, with a solid pulse of energy that might be too much of a good thing. There’s a drought of decent waves early on, so be patient.
St-Clair (Dunedin - St Clair) is the only game in town, and it’s a consistent break but it’s exposed to the south. The water is sitting at 50°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a little bonus.
Wednesday 12th August afternoon – tiny 1.0ft swell from the SSW, with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy is weak (90), and a fresh 19 mph NE wind is making it messy. Not worth it.
Thursday 13th – morning sees a tiny 2ft swell from the S, 17-second period, energy up a bit (186). The wind is light from the W, crossing offshore, so it’s clean but the waves are just too small to get excited about. Afternoon goes onshore and poor.
Friday 14th – morning is glassy with a clear sky and a tiny 1ft SSW swell. You’d be out there for the peace, not the ride. The afternoon picks up to 2ft from the S with an 18-second period and 285 energy, and a light NE cross-off. It’s clean, but still a knee-high affair.
Saturday 15th – gets a bit of size but the wind is a mess. 4ft to 4ft from the SSW, 16-second period, with strong cross-on winds. The energy is moderate to strong (708 to 1040), but the conditions are lumpy and choppy. Leave the board in the car.
Sunday 16th – this is where it starts to get interesting. Morning brings 5ft from the S, 15-second period, and a light WNW cross-off wind. The combined energy is 1217, meaning strong swell. The conditions are clean and the report says excellent for experienced surfers. This is the standout of the first week. The afternoon drops off a bit with a cross-shore and a lower score.
Monday 17th – the swell hangs around at 4ft to 6ft from the SSW, but the wind picks up. The energy is moderate to strong (577 to 1744), but the conditions are marginal. Not worth the fight.
Tuesday 18th – the swell goes stupid. 13ft to 16ft from the SSW, 16-second period, and the energy is through the roof (13874 to 15467). The wind is cross-shore and fresh. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s probably too big for this break. The forecast says it’s too big. Kite surfers might be eyeing it.
Wednesday 19th – still massive, 12ft to 7ft from the SSW and SW. The energy is still very strong (4359 to 2857). The morning is clean with a cross-off wind, but again, it’s big. Only for the brave.
Thursday 20th – the swell drops back to 5ft to 5ft from the S, 11-second period, with a fresh cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (693 to 533). It’s clean, but the conditions are marginal.
Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd – the swell fades fast. 4ft down to 1ft. The energy drops from 319 down to 70. The wind is light and clean for the most part, but it’s just tiny waves. The Sunday morning has a 1ft, 14-second period SSW swell with a light offshore wind and 70 energy – barely a ripple.
Monday 24th – still tiny. 1ft from the SE, 14-second period, 97 energy. Light cross-off wind. Not much.
Tuesday 25th – a little bump. 3ft from the SSW, 16-second period, and the energy jumps to 446. The morning has a light cross-off wind and is clean. The report says expect good surf conditions. This is a promising second-week blip, but it’s small.
Wednesday 26th to Thursday 27th – the wind turns onshore and it gets messy again. 3ft down to 1ft. The energy is moderate to weak (392 down to 118). The wind is strong cross-on, so it’s a write-off.
So, the best bet on offer is Sunday 16th August morning at St-Clair. That 5ft S swell with clean, light wind and strong energy is the standout. For the second week, Tuesday 25th August morning offers a tiny but clean 3ft from the SSW, which is worth a look if you’re desperate.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 3°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 16 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 64 | 89 | 154 | 131 | 112 | 81 | 230 | 694 | 661 | 905 | 1010 | 1200 | 1162 | 825 | 539 | 1180 | 214 | 8659 | 10773 | 5877 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:17PM1.92m | 3:40AM1.82m | 4:10PM1.91m | 4:33AM1.82m | 5:03PM1.87m | 5:27AM1.79m | 5:56PM1.81m | 6:21AM1.75m | 6:49PM1.73m | 7:16AM1.70m | 7:43PM1.65m | 8:11AM1.64m | 8:37PM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:38PM0.07m | 9:58AM-0.00m | 10:28PM0.05m | 10:48AM0.01m | 11:17PM0.07m | 11:38AM0.05m | 00:04AM0.11m | 12:26PM0.12m | 00:51AM0.17m | 1:15PM0.21m | 1:38AM0.24m | 2:04PM0.29m | 2:26AM0.31m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 4 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 |
| kJ | 64 | 600 | 442 | 311 | 122 | 71 | 67 | 694 | 661 | 905 | 1010 | 1200 | 1162 | 825 | 539 | 530 | 144 | 5215 | 4688 | 2091 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 16 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 89 | 154 | 131 | 92 | 55 | 55 | 78 | 38 | 42 | 33 | 33 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 29 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | ESE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 15 | SSW 16 | S 18 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | E 8 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | — | ENE 9 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 18 | 22 | 32 | 29 | 112 | 81 | 230 | 37 | 14 | 17 | 28 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 38 | 34 | 32 | — | 8 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 778 | 975 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | 1180 | 214 | 8659 | 10773 | 5877 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 139 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 181 | 22 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 23 | 30 | 77 | 317 | 62 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Otago | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Dunedin - St Clair Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Dunedin - St Clair provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Dunedin - St Clair can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Dunedin - St Clair surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Dunedin - St Clair) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Dunedin - St Clair may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
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