Smails Beach provides amazing experiences to locals and travellers alike. Located in the Ocean Grove area, Smails Beach reigns supreme with smooth sand, surf, panoramic vistas and a multitude of wildlife.
The views from the road to Smails Beach create an eagerness to explore. Mesmerising waves flow around Bird Island and onto the sandy shore. The beach opens up towards the headland on the left after a short walk from the carpark.
Local families frequent the beach on good days, and surfers brave the waves in safe conditions. Smails Beach is further from the more populated areas of Dunedin, making it ideal for those seeking an experience without the crowds.
Like many beaches around Otago, coastal wildlife take shelter in the area. New Zealand fur seals and sea lions often bask on the rocks and in the sand. Be respectful and keep your distance, encounters can be dangerous.
Bird Island dominates the horizon. Battered by the elements, this rocky outcrop provides some respite for sealife. Take advantage of the lookouts above the beach to experience the views and wave patterns created by the island.
To get there, head south past St Kilda and Anderson’s Bay onto Tomahawk Road. Continue past Tomahawk Beach and the township, then follow the road until you reach the carpark. The beach is also known as Smaills Beach and Smaill’s Beach.
