Blue Tops
Fairly exposed beach on the long south-east-facing stretch between Brighton and Kuri Bush. Best on an SSE swell with a WNW offshore; watch the rips.
Blue Tops surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (157°)
- Direction range
- 82° - 212°
- Size range
- 0.75m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.4m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 11s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (292°)
- Offshore range
- 247° - 337°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- All tides
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Blue Tops?
Blue Tops is a beach break in Brighton, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Blue Tops?
Blue Tops picks up swell from the E round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. It starts working at around 0.75m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.4m. Period matters too: aim for 11s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Blue Tops?
A WNW wind is dead offshore at Blue Tops, and anything from the WSW round to the NNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
How cold is the water at Blue Tops?
The water at Blue Tops averages around 12°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Blue Tops good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Dangerous rips.
How do I get to Blue Tops?
The nearest airport on our list is DUD, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Blue Tops?
The closest breaks we track are Cob Cottage (4.7 km), Kuri Bush (5.4 km) and Brighton Point (7.1 km), handy when Blue Tops isn't working.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Cob Cottage
🥝 Lefts and rights • Reef • S swell, Brighton coast
Kuri Bush
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Taieri coast
Brighton Point
🥝 Right-hand point • S swell magnet • Dunedin south
Taieri Mouth
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • S swell, Taieri coast
Blackhead
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SE swell, Dunedin south coast
St Clair
❄️ Southern Ocean cold • Roaring forties power • Deep south dedication