Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Saturday 16 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Bluecliffs surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Bluecliffs sea temperature is
13.4° C
(Which is 1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bluecliffs this week:

The surf forecast for Bluecliffs over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bluecliffs in the next 16 days are 2.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 23) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (May 22) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 17th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 17th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sat 23rd May)7ft (2.1m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bluecliffs over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
17
1.1
SW
16
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
WSW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.6
WSW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
19
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
11
0.9
SW
13
2
SSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
671
553
297
198
109
188
198
191
133
84
85
75
127
49
74
254
154
309
82
253
1714
Wind (km/h)
5
SSE
5
NNW
5
NNW
5
SE
5
NNW
10
NNW
5
SE
10
N
10
N
10
NNE
15
N
15
N
15
NNE
15
N
15
NNE
15
NE
20
NNE
5
NNW
20
WSW
20
SW
10
SSW
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
11:31PM2.21m
12:03PM2.28m
00:20AM2.24m
12:56PM2.27m
1:12AM2.24m
1:50PM2.22m
2:06AM2.19m
2:47PM2.13m
3:03AM2.11m
3:47PM2.03m
4:05AM2.02m
4:51PM1.93m
5:10AM1.93m
Low Tide
5:25PM0.12m
5:47AM-0.00m
6:14PM0.13m
6:39AM-0.03m
7:06PM0.16m
7:32AM-0.02m
8:00PM0.23m
8:28AM0.04m
8:56PM0.30m
9:28AM0.13m
9:56PM0.38m
10:30AM0.23m
11:00PM0.44m
11:35AM0.31m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:06
8:07
8:07
8:08
8:10
8:11
8:12
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:25
5:24
5:23
5:22
5:22
5:21
5:20
6
5
5
1
Temp °C
10
7
9
10
7
8
10
9
10
11
11
14
14
12
12
13
13
15
12
10
9
8
5
8
9
5
6
9
5
7
8
8
11
11
9
10
11
9
14
8
5
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
17
1.1
SW
16
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
WSW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.6
WSW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
11
0.4
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
11
0.9
SW
13
2
SSW
15
Energy kJ
671
553
297
198
109
188
198
191
133
84
85
75
37
32
74
66
154
309
82
253
1714
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
10
0.1
W
22
0.1
SW
20
0.3
SW
6
0.2
WSW
6
0.6
W
7
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
21
0.1
SW
20
0.1
SW
18
0.3
SW
19
0.3
SW
18
0.3
SW
11
0.4
SW
11
0.5
SW
11
0.3
SW
12
0.4
SW
15
0.1
NW
10
Energy kJ
85
9
15
6
4
33
9
9
15
13
57
49
20
30
61
23
77
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.1
SW
21
0.1
SW
21
0.4
SW
19
0.3
WSW
6
0.2
WSW
6
0.7
SW
16
0.1
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
Energy kJ
3
2
18
18
127
7
4
254
6
39
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NW
6
0.3
N
2
0.4
N
3
0.6
SSW
5
Energy kJ
1
1
3
23
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
3
1
4
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
165
185
28
Best forecast wave conditions in Southland
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
2
3
2
2
2
3
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
2
3
2
2
2
4
3
2
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
6
7
4
7
4
4
4
4
7
4
9
9
9
9
9
5
6
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Bluecliffs Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Bluecliffs provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bluecliffs can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bluecliffs surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bluecliffs) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bluecliffs may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Dunedin - Blue Tops is 22 km (14 miles) from Dunedin. If you plan a holiday in Otago, look for hotels and other accommodation in Dunedin. Dunedin has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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