Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Friday 15 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
13.8° C
(Which is 2.2°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 (May 15) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. 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 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 15th May)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 20th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 6PM (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 10°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSW
12
1
SSW
12
0.4
SW
21
0.7
SW
18
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
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
WSW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
426
256
159
314
671
553
297
198
109
102
198
198
160
140
118
75
71
80
283
66
349
Wind (km/h)
0
ESE
5
SE
10
NE
5
NNE
5
SSE
5
NNW
5
N
5
SSE
5
NNW
10
N
5
NE
10
N
10
N
0
ENE
10
N
10
N
5
NNE
15
N
15
N
15
N
20
SW
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-on
High Tide
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
3:03AM2.11m
3:47PM2.03m
Low Tide
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
8:56PM0.30m
9:28AM0.13m
9:56PM0.38m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:03
8:04
8:06
8:07
8:07
8:08
8:10
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:27
5:25
5:24
5:23
5:22
5:22
17
Temp °C
8
9
7
9
10
7
9
10
7
9
11
11
14
15
11
13
14
11
16
17
14
6
7
5
7
8
5
8
8
5
7
9
8
12
14
9
11
12
7
12
14
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSW
12
1
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
10
0.7
SW
18
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
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
WSW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
11
0.4
SSW
17
0.5
SW
12
0.6
SW
11
Energy kJ
426
256
121
314
671
553
297
198
109
102
198
198
160
140
118
75
71
31
116
66
97
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.7
SSW
11
0.6
SSW
10
0.1
W
22
0.1
SW
20
0.4
SW
13
1
W
7
1
W
8
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
21
0.1
SW
20
0.1
SW
21
0.3
SW
19
0.4
SW
6
0.4
SW
11
0.4
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
Energy kJ
89
122
78
105
75
9
15
42
93
115
9
9
15
17
57
10
31
66
121
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SW
24
0.4
SW
21
0.6
SW
14
0.1
S
12
0.2
WSW
6
0.1
SW
5
0.1
W
6
0.2
WSW
6
0.4
SW
18
0.7
SW
17
0.4
SW
12
0.9
SW
16
Energy kJ
22
159
132
3
4
1
1
3
80
283
36
349
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
N
3
0.4
N
3
2.1
WNW
9
Energy kJ
5
2
721
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
0
28
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
54
Best forecast wave conditions in Southland
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
3
2
3
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
3
2
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
4
4
6
4
6
4
4
6
4
5
5
5
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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