Dunedin - St Clair Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a yarn about what’s coming up over the next couple of weeks at St-Clair. This spot is a beach and point setup, best when the swell’s coming from the south.

Right now, the water is sitting at 51°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – you might not need the thickest of steamer gloves just yet.

Things kick off nicely on Monday morning, September 14th. We’ve got a clean 5ft south swell rolling in, a long 10-second period, and a light NNW offshore breeze. The wave energy is sitting at a moderate 600. This is a solid start to the week, and the conditions should be real fun for a paddle out. Be aware, crowds can be an issue here sometimes, so get in early if you can.

That Monday afternoon holds up pretty well too, with a 4ft south swell and a cross-off breeze, but the morning is definitely the standout.

We hit a bit of a lull through Tuesday and Wednesday. The swell drops right away – down to 2ft Tuesday, and even smaller Wednesday with messy, choppy onshore wind. Not worth the rubber on the 16th.

Things start looking up again on Thursday morning, September 17th. A 2ft SSW swell but with a very long 15-second period and a clean cross-off wind. The energy is moderate at 233, and with that groundswell, the point there should start to re-shape with some nice lines. It’s a decent call, but the real gem is coming.

Friday, September 18th, is the one to circle on your calendar. The morning session is looking clean as a whistle. A 4ft SSW swell with a 15-second groundswell and a light NNW offshore. The wave energy is up to a solid 800. This is going to be long, clean walls – perfect for the point setup at St-Clair. Get the sickie sorted.

Saturday, September 19th, also has plenty of promise. Another clean morning with a 5ft SSW swell, and the afternoon looks unreal – absolutely glassy with no wind and clean lines. Energy is still very healthy at 847 to 990.

Now, Sunday, September 20th, we get a massive pulse, but it’s going to be too much of a good thing. A 15ft to 16ft SW swell rips in, but the energy is in the stratosphere – we’re talking 12,262 and 20,781. That’s huge. Even with the strong cross-shore wind, it’ll be a washing machine. Only for the absolute gun crew on a big-water board, if anyone at all. This is expert territory only and honestly, it might be more interesting for the kite crew than us paddlers.

After that beast, Monday the 21st drops back to a much more manageable 6ft S swell, with clean morning conditions. Late in the week, Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th offer some excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers – 5ft to 8ft south swells, clean and glassy. Worth a look.

We finish off the run with some smaller, clean options through the last weekend and into Monday the 28th, but the winds pick up, making it a bit less inviting. The 27th does have a fun-looking 5ft S swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit juicier on the bank.

Keep your eye on that Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th – that’s the cream of the crop.

Rusty.

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