The Hydro Esplanade Apartments

Six self-contained apartments on St Clair Esplanade, The Hydro faces the Pacific surf beach directly — each unit looks out over the water rather than a car park or side street.

The address sits in St Clair, Dunedin's surf suburb, four kilometres from the city centre and a short walk from the St Clair saltwater pool, a heated sea-fed outdoor complex that draws locals year-round. Cafés and the Esplanade strip are within two minutes on foot.

With a 9.5 rating across 216 reviews, guests consistently cite the unobstructed ocean outlook and apartment-style independence — full kitchens and separate living areas suit both short breaks and longer South Island stays.