Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Wednesday 13 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
13.9° C
(Which is 2.3°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 Thursday (May 14) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bluecliffs in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 20) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 14th May)5ft (1.6m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 14th May)5ft (1.6m) 15s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 20th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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 11°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wed
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
4
2
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)
1.8
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
12
1
SSW
12
0.4
SW
21
0.9
SW
14
1.1
SW
17
1.1
SW
16
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
13
3
W
11
1.9
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1629
1057
387
499
365
252
159
314
671
627
297
198
109
104
198
196
131
116
106
1862
682
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
5
NW
10
SSW
5
WSW
0
WSW
5
SE
10
NNE
10
NNE
5
SSE
5
NNW
5
NNW
5
S
10
N
10
N
5
S
10
N
10
N
10
N
15
N
20
N
20
NW
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
9:09PM1.91m
9:30AM2.00m
9:56PM2.02m
10:21AM2.12m
10:43PM2.13m
11:11AM2.22m
11:31PM2.21m
12:03PM2.28m
00:20AM2.24m
12:56PM2.27m
1:12AM2.24m
1:50PM2.22m
2:06AM2.19m
2:47PM2.13m
Low Tide
3:21AM0.34m
3:47PM0.23m
4:09AM0.20m
4:35PM0.16m
4:58AM0.08m
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:02
8:03
8:04
8:06
8:07
8:07
8:08
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:28
5:27
5:25
5:24
5:23
5:22
1
Temp °C
9
10
11
8
8
9
6
9
10
7
10
10
8
9
10
10
12
14
13
16
16
7
9
9
6
7
7
3
7
8
5
9
9
6
7
8
6
9
12
9
11
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SSW
16
1.6
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
12
1.2
SSW
13
1.1
SSW
12
1
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
10
0.9
SW
14
1.1
SW
17
1.1
SW
16
0.8
SW
14
0.7
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.4
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
5
Energy kJ
1629
1057
387
499
365
252
118
284
671
627
297
198
109
104
198
196
131
116
106
99
14
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
14
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.7
SW
18
0.7
SSW
10
0.1
SW
20
0.4
SW
13
0.2
WSW
6
0.2
WSW
6
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
21
0.1
SW
20
0.2
SSW
21
0.5
SW
12
Energy kJ
346
85
89
120
78
314
86
15
42
3
4
9
9
15
44
71
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SW
24
0.4
SW
21
0.1
S
12
0.2
SSW
11
0.1
SW
21
0.1
S
24
0.1
SW
18
0.4
SW
19
Energy kJ
22
159
3
11
18
11
12
93
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
W
11
1.9
W
10
Energy kJ
1862
682
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
4
3
Distance (km)
0
0
44
44
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
44
Best forecast wave conditions in Southland
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
3
3
4
3
4
3
3
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
3
4
3
3
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
7
5
4
7
4
5
5
4
4
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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