The Bluff-South Side Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.69° S 172.90° E

The Bluff-South Side Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 17 Aug 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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 7,382 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s 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 (Aug 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 15s period. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 20th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 20th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 24th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu night, fresh winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Mon
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
2
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
1
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)
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
2.4
SW
12
1.3
SW
17
2.5
SW
15
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.3
SW
13
1.4
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
0.8
SW
14
0.4
SW
20
0.8
SW
19
0.8
SW
17
2.1
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5834
3746
3240
2687
2318
1682
1002
2983
2247
1779
1190
919
600
813
641
265
134
432
402
1195
Wind (km/h)
40
S
25
SSW
30
SW
25
SSW
20
S
25
S
25
SSE
10
ESE
10
SW
10
SSW
5
SW
5
WSW
10
W
10
WSW
15
WSW
15
WNW
25
NW
30
NNW
35
NW
25
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
on
High Tide
00:00AM2.34m
12:26PM2.19m
00:41AM2.18m
1:11PM2.07m
1:24AM2.01m
2:00PM1.94m
2:14AM1.87m
2:59PM1.83m
3:15AM1.76m
4:09PM1.78m
4:27AM1.72m
5:21PM1.81m
Low Tide
6:19AM0.21m
6:36PM0.38m
7:01AM0.35m
7:21PM0.54m
7:46AM0.49m
8:12PM0.69m
8:39AM0.61m
9:13PM0.80m
9:42AM0.69m
10:25PM0.85m
10:52AM0.70m
11:36PM0.81m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
 mm
1
1
2
Temp °C
12
13
14
14
13
13
12
11
13
13
13
13
13
14
15
14
15
16
16
15
Feels °C
3
7
7
9
8
8
7
7
10
10
11
11
10
11
11
10
11
11
10
11
  • 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 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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