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 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Bluff-South Side sea temperature is
15.6° C
0.3° 

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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 8,026 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s 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 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 21st Aug)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 25th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 6PM (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

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue morning).

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
0
0
1
3
2
6
6
6
4
4
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
19
2.1
WSW
8
2.3
WSW
9
3
SW
13
4
SW
16
4
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2247
1779
1197
999
790
813
565
361
137
287
588
848
2679
7237
6178
5020
4157
2785
1902
1902
1968
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
10
SSE
5
SE
5
E
5
SW
5
W
5
WNW
10
WNW
20
NW
25
NW
30
WNW
10
SSW
15
SSE
15
S
10
SE
5
NE
5
WNW
5
NNW
10
N
15
NNW
15
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
on
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:00PM1.94m
2:14AM1.87m
2:59PM1.83m
3:15AM1.76m
4:09PM1.78m
4:27AM1.72m
5:21PM1.81m
5:38AM1.75m
6:23PM1.90m
6:37AM1.84m
7:13PM2.02m
7:25AM1.95m
7:54PM2.14m
Low Tide
8:12PM0.69m
8:39AM0.61m
9:13PM0.80m
9:42AM0.69m
10:25PM0.85m
10:52AM0.70m
11:36PM0.81m
11:56AM0.64m
00:35AM0.72m
12:49PM0.54m
1:23AM0.59m
1:34PM0.42m
2:04AM0.46m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:02
6:04
6:05
 mm
5
Temp °C
12
12
12
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
15
15
14
14
13
14
14
14
15
15
14
Feels °C
10
10
9
12
11
11
11
10
10
8
10
11
12
11
10
13
13
13
13
12
12
  • 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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