Surfing

With over 200 kilometres of pristine coastline, regular wild weather and heavy ocean swells, the Clutha District is home to some of New Zealand’s epic surfing spots and welcomes big wave riders from around the globe. 

If you’re up for adventure and discovering the undiscovered, you’ll be well serviced along the Clutha coast. From friendly beach breaks for beginners, to exposed river breaks offering up left and right handers, or offshore reef breaks reserved for big wave riders - we have a range of surfable options.

Top tip: Maximise your time in the water by packing plenty of rubber to protect you from the cold Southern seas. 

Here’s an outline of the more well-known breaks:

• Taieri Mouth is an exposed beach/river bar break that has consistent surf offering both left and right handers. The best wind direction is from the west northwest, and is best at low tide. 
• Kākā Point (beginner to expert) is a beach break with rocky points. There are several peaks to choose from with both right and left handers. The wave is punchy and powerful.
• Nugget Point (beginner to expert) is a fairly consistent and sheltered beach break with some rocky points. Surf one of the several peaks along this section of coastline, with both right and left handers.
• Cannibal Bay (all levels) is a beach break with several peaks to choose from, with both right and left handers. The wave is powerful and provides quality hollow barrels when offshore.
• Catlins River Mouth is an exposed beach break that has consistent surf, and both left and right handers at all tide levels. The ideal swell is from the south southeast.
• Pūrākaunui Bay (or PK Bay) is one of the more well-known beach breaks in The Catlins providing both left and righthanders. It has consistent and powerful surf, at all tide levels The best wind direction is from the northwest. Note: There is a DOC campsite here.
• Long Point (intermediate to expert) is a top rated left-hand point breakpoint break on a rocky point. It’s a long left hander with a steep drop in.
• Papatowai (experts only) is a favourite for big wave riders, with a quality beach break at the river mouth. Papatowai breaks out on the reef at the point with a large right hand reef break and difficult left hander. The point needs over 5 metre swells, with a jet ski or boat recommended. Note: There is a DOC campsite here.
• Tautuku (all levels) is a beach break with several peaks to choose from with both left and right handers.
• Porpoise Bay (all levels) is a beach break with several peaks to choose from with both right and left handers. The wave is often bigger at the north end of the beach, and the left end gets some good left hand barrels.
• Curio Bay (all levels) is a beach break at the southern end of Porpoise Bay. There are several peaks, both right and left handers, with quality hollow lefts down the end. The halfmoon shape of the bay allows you to pick the size of swell.