Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm 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
13.4° C
(Which is 1.7°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 Saturday (May 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s 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 1.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 22) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (May 22) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sat 16th May)1.5ft (0.4m) 21s
Best Surf12PM (Fri 22nd May)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 22nd May)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s

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 Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
3
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
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
0.6
WSW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.4
SW
19
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
WSW
12
1.2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
256
159
314
671
553
297
198
109
190
198
193
162
138
82
74
127
49
74
208
97
545
Wind (km/h)
5
ESE
10
NE
5
NNE
5
SSE
5
NNW
5
NNW
5
SSE
5
NNW
5
NNW
5
NE
10
N
10
N
10
NNE
15
N
10
N
10
NNE
15
N
20
N
15
N
15
NNE
5
N
cross-on
cross-off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
glassy
High Tide
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
4:05AM2.02m
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
10:30AM0.23m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:04
8:06
8:07
8:07
8:08
8:10
8:11
<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
5:21
6
6
Temp °C
10
7
9
11
8
9
10
7
9
12
11
12
13
11
13
15
10
16
17
15
13
8
4
7
9
7
8
9
5
7
10
8
10
11
8
11
13
6
12
13
12
13
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
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
0.6
WSW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.5
SW
13
0.5
SW
12
0.5
SW
12
0.3
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
14
Energy kJ
256
121
314
671
553
297
198
109
190
198
193
162
138
82
74
71
49
74
66
97
545
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
12
0.5
SW
13
0.7
SSW
11
0.6
SSW
10
0.1
W
22
0.1
SW
20
0.3
SW
7
0.2
WSW
7
1
W
7
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
21
0.1
SW
20
0.2
W
6
0.3
SW
19
0.3
SW
11
0.2
WSW
11
0.4
SW
11
0.3
WSW
12
Energy kJ
122
78
105
75
9
15
7
5
106
9
9
15
2
57
20
13
32
30
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SW
24
0.4
SW
21
0.6
SW
14
0.1
SW
12
0.1
S
11
0.1
SW
21
0.3
SW
20
0.1
SW
18
0.4
SW
19
0.2
WSW
6
0.2
WSW
6
0.6
SW
16
0.6
WSW
12
Energy kJ
22
159
132
6
2
18
60
13
127
4
4
208
96
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
N
3
0.3
N
3
0.6
NNE
3
0.7
SW
6
Energy kJ
4
1
8
37
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
3
Distance (km)
28
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Southland
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
5
4
5
5
8
5
4
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
9
  • 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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