Blackhead Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.32° S 176.67° E

Blackhead Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blackhead sea temperature is
11.9°C
1.3° 

Blackhead surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Blackhead surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with 4,445 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Blackhead this week:

The surf forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Blackhead in the next 16 days are 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sat 12th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 17s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 12th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sat 12th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Blackhead over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, Friday the 11th kicks off with a tiny 2ft swell from the south, but the cross-off wind from the WNW at 6 mph is keeping it clean. It’s a bit of a slow start, but the water is sitting at 53°F, which is a touch colder than average for this time of year – you’ll want the 4/3.

Saturday the 12th is where things start to wake up. The morning sees that swell bump up to 4ft from the SSW with a long 16-second period (groundswell), and the combined energy is sitting at a moderate 725. Conditions are clean, and it’s looking very good. By Saturday afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft from the south, but the wind switches to a light cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy.

Sunday the 13th is a big day for size but the quality takes a hit. The swell hangs around 7-7ft from the south, but the wind is swinging from cross-off to cross-shore, putting a chop on the surface. It’s marginal.

Monday the 14th is the standout of the first week. The morning is glassy – absolute perfection, dead calm from the NNW at 3 mph – and you’ve got a solid 7ft south swell with a 13-second period and strong energy (1314). This is excellent, experienced-surfer territory. The wave is going to have some push, but the glassy conditions will make it a dream. Crowds are sometimes an issue at Blackhead, so heads up.

After Monday, the swell drops and the winds get messy. Tuesday the 15th is small and choppy. Wednesday the 16th through Friday the 18th is a real lull, with waves barely hitting 2ft most of the time and weak energy (under 130). Not worth paddling out.

Saturday the 19th sees a pulse of 6-6ft SSW groundswell (16-second period) rolling in, but it’s coming with a fresh to strong offshore breeze that’ll keep it clean but make it a battle to get out. Combined energy is strong at 1630-1788, so there’s plenty of power, but you’ll be working for it.

Then another gap from Sunday the 20th through Monday the 21st – small, strong winds, not inviting.

The second standout comes on Tuesday the 22nd. Morning brings a 7ft south swell with a 15-second period and very strong energy (2093). The wind is a gentle cross-off from the NNW at 9 mph, keeping it clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The long period is perfect for a point break like Blackhead – the waves will have shape and punch.

The following days fade out. Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th drop in size and pick up lumpy wind. Friday the 25th sees a short-period 6ft swell (7 seconds) – weak, punchy, not great. The final weekend, Saturday the 26th, has some moderate 3-4ft S/SSW groundswell (long 15-17 second period) but it’s just okay.

All in all, if you want the best of it, get out Monday the 14th for glassy perfection, or Tuesday the 22nd for a powerhouse clean groundswell session.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat night, calm by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
3
2
5
3
2
4
4
1
2
1
0
2
1
1
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)
0.5
S
18
0.6
SSW
18
0.4
SSW
17
1.1
SSW
16
2
S
15
3
S
15
2.1
S
14
2
S
13
2
S
11
2
S
13
1.8
S
12
1.3
S
10
1.3
S
10
1.1
S
10
0.9
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.5
SSE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
SE
10
0.2
SSW
14
0.4
ESE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
173
246
101
653
1909
3919
1731
1379
900
1298
926
333
365
230
136
57
42
19
35
20
58
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
20
WNW
25
WSW
15
SSW
10
SE
10
NW
25
WSW
25
S
0
SW
5
NNW
15
NE
10
NNW
10
N
20
NE
10
NW
15
NW
10
NW
20
WNW
15
NNW
15
NW
35
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:17PM1.55m
5:44AM1.46m
6:10PM1.53m
6:37AM1.46m
7:01PM1.50m
7:28AM1.47m
7:51PM1.47m
8:17AM1.46m
8:40PM1.42m
9:05AM1.44m
9:28PM1.38m
9:52AM1.41m
10:15PM1.34m
Low Tide
11:02AM0.07m
11:38PM0.07m
11:57AM0.07m
00:30AM0.07m
12:51PM0.08m
1:20AM0.09m
1:44PM0.11m
2:09AM0.11m
2:34PM0.14m
2:56AM0.15m
3:23PM0.18m
3:42AM0.20m
4:11PM0.22m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:04
 mm
3
Temp °C
13
15
12
11
10
11
13
11
10
12
12
11
14
14
12
17
17
11
17
17
14
Feels °C
9
10
5
8
7
4
8
6
7
9
9
8
11
10
11
13
15
8
13
14
8
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 Blackhead Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Blackhead provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Blackhead can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Blackhead 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 (Blackhead) 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 Blackhead 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 The Wairarapa? If you are looking for accommodation near Blackhead, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in The Wairarapa, consider staying in Hastings which is 77 km (48 miles) away. Other places in and around The Wairarapa where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Palmerston North which is 89 km (55 miles) away and Napier, 94 km (58 miles) away.

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