Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Wednesday 15 Apr 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
15.5° C
(Which is 3.1°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 Friday (Apr 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bluecliffs in the next 16 days are 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 16) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Apr 17) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 17th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 17th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 16th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed morning, strong winds from the W by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
1
5
2
2
2
2
2
3
1
1
1
2
0
2
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SW
0.4
SW
1.4
WSW
2.5
SW
1.9
SW
3.5
WSW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
0.6
SW
0.9
SW
1
SW
1.2
WSW
1
SW
0.8
SW
1.1
SSW
1.1
S
0.9
S
0.8
S
0.4
SW
0.4
SW
1.4
SSE
Period(s) (?)16159121212131415141416141310981016156
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)89763072212101232784444401913413686493952152551851081258677142
Wind
(km/h)
10
NNW
15
WNW
30
W
40
W
30
W
10
NNW
20
NNE
10
N
10
NNW
10
NNE
10
NE
10
NNE
10
E
15
E
15
ESE
10
NNE
10
E
15
ENE
25
ESE
10
ENE
10
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
offcrosscrosscrossoffcrosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
Low Tide
/ height (m)
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Sunrise7:26--7:26--7:28--7:30--7:31--7:31--7:33--
Sunset-6:13--6:12--6:09--6:07--6:06--6:05--6:02-
cloud
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
cloud
Rain (mm)
-131012-2134-1-123--5101-
Temp. °C1199101010131312131410101110101210131311
Feels °C (?)8321461011101111888689891210
  • 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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