Blackhead Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s check out what’s heading toward Blackhead. This is our only point break on the radar, and while it’s not firing every day, there are some real windows of quality to target.

The forecast kicks off this Saturday morning with a push of 1.5m ESE swell at a 14-second period. Wind is light and cross-off out of the NW, so the surface should be pretty clean. Combined wave energy sits at 1245 (moderate). Water temp is 55°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year – nothing unusual. This session is a decent start but not the peak.

Saturday afternoon is the big one. Swell jumps to 1.9m from the SSW with a very long 23-second period – that’s a seriously powerful groundswell. Combined energy hits 4549 (very strong). Wind stays cross-off from the WNW at 10 km/h (6 mph). This long-period energy really suits a point break like Blackhead. For experienced surfers, this is the standout of the whole forecast.

Sunday morning keeps the quality: 1.9m SSW swell at an 18-second period, clean cross-off WSW breeze at 15 km/h (9 mph). Energy remains strong at 2685. Another excellent morning session, just slightly below the Saturday afternoon pulse.

By Sunday afternoon, the wind picks up to a moderate SSW breeze and the surf gets more ordinary. Still rideable, but the shine wears off. Monday brings solid S swell, but cross-shore wind makes for lumpy conditions. Monday afternoon’s 2.5m S swell at 19 seconds is big – expert territory – and combined with cross-shore wind it could be more fun for kite surfers than paddle surfers.

Tuesday morning, July 21, is a gem: glassy conditions, WNW wind barely breathing, and a 2.2m S swell at 15 seconds. Energy is 2244 (strong). Clean, powerful, and well-shaped for the point. That’s a top-tier paddle session if you can get out.

After Tuesday the surf fades fast. Wednesday has smaller 1.2m swell, and from Thursday onward it drops right off to weak, small waves – under 1m, energy below 200. There’s a good two-and-a-half-day flat spell from Thursday July 23 through the weekend, with waves around 0.3m to 0.6m. Not worth getting wet.

Then around Monday July 27 a new pulse of 1.6m S swell (9-second period) arrives with clean WSW wind. Energy is back near 800. It’s not long-period, but after the flat spell it’ll be welcome. Tuesday July 28 offers 1.8m SE swell at 12 seconds with clean offshore WNW wind – that afternoon in particular has true offshore conditions, which is a big positive.

Wednesday July 29 shapes up as another potential standout further out: 2.3m SE swell at 13 seconds, combined energy 1843, with clean cross-off NW winds. That’s solid and well-shaped. But being 11 days away, treat it as promising, not locked in.

The second week overall stays inconsistent. There’s a brief window around Thursday July 30 with clean offshore wind and 1.7m SE swell, but the rest trails off into moderate to fresh winds and pretty ordinary surf.

So bottom line: the absolute best session is Saturday afternoon, July 18, with that very long-period SSW swell and clean winds. Tuesday morning, July 21 is the glassy backup. Keep an eye on Wednesday, July 29 for another possible standout. Crowds at Blackhead? It’s an inconsistent break, so when it’s good, expect some locals to show – but it’s never a circus.

Rusty.

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