Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Thursday 08 Jan 2026 NZDT
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
15.4° C
(Which is 2.4°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Bluecliffs in the next 12 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 11) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 08) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Thu 8th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 9th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Sun 11th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bluecliffs over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu morning, strong winds from the NW by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun morning, calm by Tue night).

Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
5
0
0
2
4
1
3
1
1
3
2
0
4
1
4
3
2
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
SW
1
SW
3.5
W
0.6
SW
1.4
WSW
0.8
SW
3
W
0.6
SW
1.8
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.9
SW
3.5
WSW
2.3
WSW
1.1
SW
2.5
W
0.8
SW
3
W
1.9
W
0.9
SW
1.3
SSW
1.6
SSW
Period(s) (?)12141216161514141314121111810101010121415
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2104043330171921262340816010601435104325091121167121211514546542026911102
Wind
(km/h)
10
N
15
N
10
WNW
20
WSW
25
WSW
10
NNW
20
NW
20
NW
25
N
40
W
25
WSW
15
W
15
W
25
W
10
NNW
10
N
10
NNW
5
NW
5
WNW
5
SW
10
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffcross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
offcross-
off
glassglassglasscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:39PM
2.00
5:11AM
1.90
5:29PM
1.87
6:00AM
1.79
6:21PM
1.75
6:51AM
1.71
7:19PM
1.66
7:47AM
1.65
8:21PM
1.61
8:46AM
1.63
9:24PM
1.62
9:43AM
1.66
10:21PM
1.67
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:31AM
0.32
10:58PM
0.26
11:20AM
0.42
11:47PM
0.40
12:12PM
0.51
12:39AM
0.53
1:08PM
0.60
1:35AM
0.64
2:08PM
0.65
2:35AM
0.70
3:09PM
0.66
3:35AM
0.72
4:05PM
0.62
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Sunrise6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--6:15--6:16--
Sunset-9:43--9:43--9:42--9:42--9:42--9:40--9:39-
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-12--416211---------122
Temp. °C201716181915192019131411141612151714131413
Feels °C (?)1915151212121918165879109131513121413
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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