Bluecliffs surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 20 Feb 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 1.8°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 Saturday (Feb 21) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m 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 12 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 21st Feb)13ft (4.0m) 13s
Best Surf 4AM (Sat 21st Feb)13ft (4.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 22nd Feb)15ft (4.5m) 13s

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 26mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat night, light winds from the NW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon night, calm by Tue night).

Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
5
3
3
5
1
7
3
2
1
0
3
0
3
3
2
2
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
WSW
2
SW
4.5
WSW
1.3
SW
1.4
SW
4.5
W
2.5
SW
4.5
WSW
1.4
SW
0.8
SSW
0.8
SW
0.4
SW
2.1
WSW
0.6
SW
1.3
SW
1.3
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
1.1
SW
0.9
SW
Period(s) (?)131313151510141312121211111816151414131413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)77212856220704894434825346767549164164431027194823842466453398410282
Wind
(km/h)
35
W
35
WSW
20
W
10
N
15
NNW
25
WNW
25
WSW
20
WSW
5
NW
5
NNE
0
NE
30
WSW
15
WSW
15
SSW
5
N
5
WSW
10
S
10
NNE
5
E
20
SSW
5
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscrossoffoffcross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
offglasscross-
on
crossonglassglassoncross-
off
glasscross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:48PM
2.16
3:13AM
2.09
3:30PM
2.13
3:54AM
2.04
4:16PM
2.05
4:40AM
1.97
5:09PM
1.95
5:34AM
1.88
6:13PM
1.85
6:39AM
1.80
7:30PM
1.78
7:57AM
1.77
8:53PM
1.79
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:04PM
0.09
9:21AM
0.18
9:45PM
0.16
10:05AM
0.23
10:31PM
0.28
10:55AM
0.31
11:25PM
0.42
11:55AM
0.41
12:30AM
0.55
1:07PM
0.47
1:47AM
0.62
2:28PM
0.47
3:07AM
0.60
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Sunrise7:11--7:11--7:13--7:15--7:16--7:18--7:20--
Sunset-8:55--8:53--8:52--8:50--8:49--8:46--8:45-
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
cloud
Rain (mm)
23--61122---2------46-
Temp. °C121211161713141411202114151511151513131111
Feels °C (?)55612137111191820111112101313111278
  • 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 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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