Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 23 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
14.3° C
(Which is 2.1°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 Thursday (Apr 23) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. 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 6.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 30) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 29) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 23rd Apr)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 30th Apr)20ft (6.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 30th Apr)21ft (6.5m) 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 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
4
5
4
4
5
5
8
4
2
2
2
4
5
3
3
1
0
!
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.9
SW
12
3
WSW
12
3
WSW
15
2.4
W
8
2.5
W
9
3
WSW
12
3
WSW
13
4
WSW
15
1.6
SW
14
1
SSW
11
3
WSW
12
2.5
W
12
3
WSW
11
3
WSW
11
1.1
SW
13
0.8
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
2.5
SW
14
5
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
169
127
212
2242
3933
819
1064
2751
3229
6292
1034
222
2442
2012
2091
2574
382
370
410
2526
11934
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
NNW
10
NNW
10
WNW
15
WNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
10
NW
10
WNW
15
W
10
NNW
10
NNW
25
W
15
W
10
NNW
10
WNW
10
NNW
20
N
35
NW
45
W
25
W
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
5:04PM1.88m
5:25AM1.86m
6:19PM1.81m
6:41AM1.83m
7:30PM1.81m
7:51AM1.84m
8:32PM1.84m
8:51AM1.89m
9:24PM1.89m
9:42AM1.93m
10:08PM1.93m
10:26AM1.97m
10:47PM1.97m
11:05AM2.00m
Low Tide
11:16PM0.54m
11:55AM0.38m
00:30AM0.56m
1:08PM0.39m
1:40AM0.52m
2:13PM0.36m
2:41AM0.45m
3:09PM0.32m
3:32AM0.38m
3:56PM0.29m
4:16AM0.32m
4:37PM0.28m
4:56AM0.27m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:37
7:39
7:39
7:41
7:43
7:43
7:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
5:58
5:55
5:54
5:52
5:52
5:50
5:49
1
9
1
Temp °C
11
11
13
15
13
18
19
14
16
17
13
16
16
13
14
16
11
16
17
9
11
9
9
12
13
11
16
17
11
14
14
11
13
11
9
11
13
8
12
11
-1
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
14
0.5
SSW
6
0.9
SW
12
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
8
0.9
SW
10
0.9
SW
11
1.6
SW
14
2.1
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
1
SSW
11
1
SW
10
0.9
SW
10
1.1
SW
11
1.4
SW
12
1.1
SW
13
0.8
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
3.5
SSW
16
Energy kJ
169
19
212
319
535
120
160
169
961
2130
1034
222
196
154
268
531
382
370
410
5424
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SSW
6
0.6
SW
14
0.4
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
1
SW
10
0.8
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
12
0.7
SW
13
0.6
WSW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
12
0.4
SW
22
0.6
SW
13
0.8
SSW
11
0.7
SW
12
Energy kJ
8
127
61
83
181
241
147
122
180
111
38
37
118
130
149
149
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
18
0.1
SW
12
0.1
SW
20
0.1
SW
18
0.3
S
9
0.3
SW
15
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
12
0.5
SSW
12
Energy kJ
112
6
15
12
14
34
303
122
78
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
WSW
6
3
WSW
12
3
WSW
15
2.4
W
8
2.5
W
9
3
WSW
12
3
WSW
13
4
WSW
15
3
WSW
12
2.5
W
12
3
WSW
11
3
WSW
11
0.3
NNW
2
2.5
SW
14
5
WSW
15
Energy kJ
34
2242
3933
819
1064
2751
3229
6292
2442
2012
2091
2574
1
2526
11934
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
2
3
5
4
4
5
3
4
4
2
2
4
4
4
3
3
1
1
Distance (km)
0
44
0
0
185
0
0
0
0
259
221
0
0
187
165
0
165
0
0
226
527
Best forecast wave conditions in Southland
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
3
3
9
5
4
5
3
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
5
5
9
5
4
4
4
4
6
8
5
7
5
5
9
9
5
8
  • 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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