St Clair Beach
Events
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.
Ratings
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
Patrols

Stay safe - swim beween the flags.
Forecast provided by SwellMap.com
Tides
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

Stay safe - swim beween the flags.
Patrol Hours
St Clair Beach will be patrolled by Surf Lifeguards every Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday from 12:00 to 16:00 from 30 October through November 2021 then from 12:00 to 17:00 from 4 December 2021 until 6 March 2022.
Hazards
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
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
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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