Dunedin - St Clair Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s coming up for our local spot.

It’s a mixed bag, but there’s some real quality if you time it right. The water’s at 51°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus for the first session.

The first real standout is Friday afternoon, July 17th, at St Clair (Dunedin - St Clair). The swell is a clean 3ft from the ESE, with a period of 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell with plenty of energy. The combined energy is strong (1348), and with the wind going glassy from the west, it’s going to be absolutely perfect. This is the pick of the week for experienced surfers. The crowd factor is only “sometimes,” so you might get a few out, but it’s well worth the paddle.

Friday morning, July 17th is also a ripper. A 4ft SSW swell, period of 15 seconds, and a cross-offshore breeze from the WNW. It’s bigger than the afternoon, but still clean. Combined energy is strong (1464). If you’re an experienced surfer, that’s a solid session.

The week leading up to that is a bit of a write-off. Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th have some clean surf, but the swell is small – around 2ft to 3ft – and the scores are low. Not worth rushing out for.

Watch out for Saturday, July 18th. The morning is a mess: 13ft SSW swell, period of 18 seconds, but with a 25 mph cross-onshore wind. The combined energy is massive (12696), but it’s a total write-off for paddling – looks more like a kite-surfing day. The afternoon eases to 8ft, but it’s still huge and cross-shore, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break.

Sunday, July 19th through Monday, July 20th sees a drop in size. Sunday morning is 6ft with a cross-offshore wind, but it’s marginal. Monday morning is the better bet: 6ft from the S, 13-second period, and light cross-offshore winds. The combined energy is strong (1254), and it’s rated excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a solid session.

From Tuesday, July 21st, the swell drops right off. We’re looking at 2ft to 3ft for the rest of the week, with clean conditions but very weak energy. There’s a bit of a gap there until we get to Saturday, July 25th, where the swell picks up to 3ft again, but it’s still marginal.

Sunday, July 26th morning is a nice surprise: 3ft SSW swell, 15-second period, with light offshore winds and good energy (416). That’s a clean, fun little session.

The last real highlight is Monday, July 27th morning. A 4ft SSW swell, 14-second period, light offshore winds, and strong energy (750). Rated very good. That’s your best bet for the second week.

The rest of the run into the end of the month is small and ordinary, with some sloppy days from the 28th onward. Not much to get excited about.

So, for the best on offer: Friday afternoon, July 17th is the absolute standout – glassy, clean, and a solid 3ft groundswell. Monday, July 27th morning is the best of the second week, with a solid 4ft and clean conditions.

Rusty.

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