Dunedin - St Clair Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for the Dunedin – St Clair stretch.

The next few days start off with a bit of promise before the ocean gets a wild hair and throws some serious size at us. The water is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We’ve got a solid window from Saturday morning, the 5th of September. Saturday morning sees a 4ft SSW swell with a very long 15-second period, and a light NW offshore breeze – that’s a clean, lined-up setup. The combined energy is moderate (604). It’s a good one for a beginner-friendly spot, but keep in mind that long period groundswell can make beach breaks a bit straight; this is a beach and point, so the point may offer better shape.

Sunday morning, the 6th, is a real standout. Glassy conditions with a 4ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and combined energy in the moderate range (852). That’s a morning to be in the water early – clean, smooth, and fun.

Don’t get too excited about Sunday afternoon, though. The wind swings onshore and the quality drops right off.

Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are a write-off – small, weak, or messy. You’re looking at a couple of days of nothing worth chasing.

Wednesday the 9th is tiny, but glassy in the morning. If you’re desperate, you could paddle out on a 1.0ft, 19-second period swell, but it’s very weak energy (84).

Then things get interesting. Thursday the 10th brings a jump in size – 5ft to 10ft SSW swell, but the wind is howling cross-shore. Friday the 11th is cleaner with a cross-off breeze, but the swell is 6ft in the morning and a massive 13ft in the afternoon. That afternoon is an expert-only zone – way too big for most, and the combined energy is through the roof (11220).

From Saturday the 12th right through to Tuesday the 15th, the surf is either too big, blown out, or both. Swells over 10ft with strong cross-winds make this a spot better suited for kite surfing than paddling.

We see a bit of a drop on Wednesday the 16th, with 6ft to 6ft S swell and clean conditions in the afternoon, but it’s marginal quality.

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th are messy again with strong winds.

Finally, Saturday the 19th of September morning shapes up nicely. A 4ft SSW swell, 11-second period, light NNW offshore, and very good conditions expected. The combined energy is moderate (568). That’s a solid, clean option to finish the forecast window.

So, the best of the lot? Sunday morning, the 6th – glassy, clean, and fun. And Saturday morning, the 19th – a promising, clean offshore session to round it out.

Rusty.

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