Large swells have caused major erosion to Pauanui Beach around the surf club and wind sock area today.

The Thames Coromandel District Council says in places there are drops of about four metres so the area has been cordoned off.

Pauanui South Beach at 10am today. Photo: Courtesy of NIWA

With high tide occurring at around 1pm today the council says further damage may also be caused.

There have also been reports that the swells were so large this morning that waves were seen in the Pauanui estuary.

According to the Surf Forecast website, waves of up to 3.5m crashed onto the beach in 13 second intervals, with a force of 4509 kilo joules, at around 4am today.

High tide at 1pm today is predicted to 3m waves.