In this paper, a numerical study of turbulent flow over the S-shaped hydrofoil at 0° angle of attack has been reported. Here, the flow takes place over concave and convex surfaces and is accompanied by the favourable and adverse pressure gradients and flow separation. Modelling such a flow poses a formidable challenge. In the present work four turbulence models, namely, k-ε- realizable, k-ω shear stress transport, v'2-f, and the Reynolds stress model (RSM) were examined. Simulations were performed on a structured grid using finite-volume method formulation. Commercial software was used for grid generation and numerical simulation. A comparison of the experimental data of Madhusudan et al. (Fluid Dyn. Res., 1994, 14(5), 241-258) and numerical predictions were made, and the suitability of turbulence models was ascertained for both the mean and turbulent quantities. It was seen that v'2-fworks better for predicting the mean quantities and the RSM for turbulent quantities. © IMechE 2008.