The Bluff-South Side Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.69° S 172.90° E

The Bluff-South Side Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Bluff-South Side sea temperature is
15.6°C
0.2° 

The Bluff-South Side surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Bluff-South Side surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 18,450 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Bluff-South Side this week:

The surf forecast for The Bluff-South Side over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Bluff-South Side in the next 16 days are 5.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 17th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 21st Sep)18ft (5.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 21st Sep)18ft (5.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Bluff-South Side over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
!
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
13
1.9
SW
15
2.2
SW
14
5
SW
11
5.5
SW
11
5
SW
10
3
SW
15
4
SW
15
4.5
SW
15
4.5
SW
15
4.5
SW
16
5.5
SW
15
5.5
SW
17
5
SW
17
4
SW
16
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
1.8
SW
14
4.5
SW
15
4.5
SW
16
5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
535
1606
1770
6424
6806
4787
3447
7233
8153
7657
9973
13187
18450
15140
7588
3761
3095
1169
8454
11300
12385
Wind (km/h)
30
NNW
25
NNW
20
NNW
45
SW
50
SW
35
SW
30
SW
35
WSW
35
W
35
WSW
40
SW
30
SSW
20
SW
20
WSW
20
W
20
W
25
W
30
SSW
35
SSW
30
SSW
25
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
12:31PM2.09m
00:44AM1.97m
1:18PM1.95m
1:33AM1.82m
2:16PM1.83m
2:35AM1.72m
3:27PM1.77m
3:51AM1.67m
4:43PM1.79m
5:07AM1.72m
5:47PM1.89m
6:07AM1.82m
6:36PM2.01m
Low Tide
6:43PM0.57m
7:02AM0.52m
7:32PM0.71m
7:54AM0.65m
8:33PM0.82m
8:59AM0.73m
9:48PM0.86m
10:13AM0.74m
11:02PM0.81m
11:21AM0.68m
00:02AM0.69m
12:15PM0.57m
00:49AM0.54m
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:20
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
 mm
6
8
6
3
1
1
Temp °C
17
15
13
13
13
14
15
15
15
15
14
13
14
14
14
15
15
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
12
11
11
4
3
6
9
9
9
8
6
6
10
9
10
11
11
6
5
6
6
  • 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 The Bluff-South Side Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Bluff-South Side provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Bluff-South Side can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Bluff-South Side 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 (The Bluff-South Side) 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 The Bluff-South Side 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Northland? If you are looking for accommodation near The Bluff-South Side, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Northland, consider staying in Houhora which is 21 km (13 miles) away.

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