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St Clair Beach

(Otago)

St Clair Beach
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Feb
1
Style and Substance: A Journey Through the Collection
Taking a journey through the Dunedin Public Art Gallery's historical collection, Style and Substance looks to the genre systems that have occupied art history discourses for centuries. Divided into six themes - ... More ►
Feb
1
Brought to Light: Collections Processing 2018–2019
There is a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes in museums. Staff at Toitu recently embarked on a project to improve aspects of their behind-the-scenes operation. This exhibition shows off some of the ... More ►
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St Clair Beach

St Clair is located very close to central city Dunedin and also has a large residential base. Surfers are the main users at the beach and they use it year round on most days. The Surf Club is located 500 metres from the western headland and this is where the concentration of swimmers are located during the summer months. St Clair is a very popular beach with many regular users.

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Family friendly

This beach is well suited for families, make sure your family is prepared for the beach conditions, the beach is patrolled by Surf Lifeguards during the summer months.

Swimming

The beach is a popular swimming location during summer. St Clair is close to town and has facilities such as shops, showers, changing sheds, shelters and a picnic area. The beach has rips and holes which can be powerful. A strong rip generally runs out along the western headland. The beach often gets large swells, and waves will pound against the seawall under such circumstances. The beach is home to St Clair Surf Life Saving Club and swimmers should bathe in the patrolled area and ask a lifeguard for advice.

Surfing

St Clair beach is perhaps Dunedin’s most popular surfing location and this is mainly due to its location. The beach generally has a nice, gentle rideable wave. St Clair is a beach break that is surfable on all tides but is usually better from low to mid tide. The beach faces to the south which is the dominant swell direction. St Clair is offshore in a northerly wind.

Fishing

The beach is not that popular for fishing although people do surf cast from here.

Activities and facilities

Activities

  • Canoeing/kayaking
  • Dog walking
  • Shell fish gathering
  • Wind/kite surfing

Facilities

  • Car parking
  • Food and beverage kiosk
  • Public toilets

Safety

The beach is our favourite playground, but it can also be a dangerous place. Learn about the hazards at St Clair Beach and be prepared so you and your family can enjoy the sun, sea and sand safely this summer.

Hazards

Large breaking waves
Strong rips/currents
Submerged objects
Sudden drop off

Patrols

Patrolled Beach
St Clair Beach is a patrolled beach.
Stay safe - swim beween the flags.

Forecast provided by SwellMap.com

Sunny with some cloud
15°c
Max Temp.
13°c
Water Temp.

Wind

Still
16 kph
South West

Swell

Large
1.7m
South

Water Conditions

For boating and surfing
Poor. 3/10
3
Average. 6/10
6

Tides

5:00Am
Low
11:20Am
High
5:20Pm
Low
11:40Pm
High
7-day Forecast ► Forecast for Thursday 6 May 2021, 12Pm
Swellmap.com

Safety at St Clair Beach

We want you to have a great time whilst visiting St Clair Beach. But take a moment to learn more about being safe on New Zealand Beaches. More ►

Patrolled Beach

Patrolling club: St. Clair SLSC ►
Patrolled Beach
St Clair Beach is a patrolled beach.
Stay safe - swim beween the flags.
 

Patrol Hours

St Clair Beach is patrolled on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays between 31 October 2020 and 14 March 2021. Volunteer lifeguards patrol from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
A Regional Lifeguard Service is provided Monday to Friday from 11:00am to 7:00pm from 16 December 2020 to 29 January 2021.

Hazards

Large breaking waves
Large breaking waves
Strong rips/currents
Strong rips/currents
Submerged objects
Submerged objects
Sudden drop off
Sudden drop off

Click a safety symbol for more information on the risk

4 simple rules to keep you safe

We want you to have a great time whilst visiting St Clair Beach. But take a moment to learn more about being safe on New Zealand beaches and looking out for each other. More ►

The Water Safety Code:

  • Be prepared
  • Watch out for yourself and others
  • Be aware of the dangers
  • Know your limits
DIAL 111 in the event of an emergency

Location

St Clair Beach is located five kilometres from central city Dunedin (the Octagon). St Clair Surf Life Saving Club is located at the beach around 100 metres northeast of the Esplanade Road that runs past the shops and foreshore. St Clair Beach lies 1600 metres southwest of St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club and lies on the same stretch of beach that extends from the western headland at St Clair for 3.5 kilometres where it reaches Lawyers Head in the east. St Clair Beach is a fine golden sand at its western headland. There is a rocky outcrop that reaches into the surrounding hills. There is a large seawall protecting shops and houses directly behind the beach on Esplanade Road. St Clair is backed by a large residential community with a racecourse and golf course at the beach.

Public Transport

Bus: http://www.orc.govt.nz/Information-and-Services/Buses/

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Beach Water Quality

Many councils provide the results of their weekly monitoring. This lets people know what the most recent bacteria levels were. Remember, even sites with low risk can be unsuitable to swim at from time to time and we recommend that you avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rainfall.

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