An hour after the 2.33pm high tide, spray was shooting metres into the air.
Nearby resident Jon Byrne picked up his children from school and took them straight to the Esplanade for the show.
"They love it - it's free adrenaline," he said.
"It was tremendous. You could feel the earth vibrating underneath us."
Mr Byrne, who regularly visits the beach, said the surf was on par with a tide three years ago that damaged the wall.
"It was probably one of the better ones I've seen."
The children were "soaked", and went straight home for a shower, he said.
Winter driving conditions prevailed late yesterday, with drivers urged to take care.
Clutha motorists were being urged to be careful following tidal flooding.
Toko Mouth Rd was closed on Monday near Milton as higher high tides caused the Tokomairiro River to spill across the road.
The road remains closed as staff from Southroads, which maintain roads around the Clutha district, expected the river to flood the road again at high tide early today and again about 3pm.
Flooding signs had been placed on the Nuggets Rd and Hina Hina Rd as they were most likely to be affected by tidal flooding, Clutha District Council communications co-ordinator Jamie Shaw said yesterday.
Lake Waihola was also expected to fluctuate with the tide and flooding signs had also been placed on nearby Taieri Ferry Rd and Titri Rd.
The council urged all motorists in the district to drive to the conditions, and to take particular care in coastal areas, Mr Shaw said.
