Surf Forecasts:
Blackhead surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 4,239 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Blackhead in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Blackhead, a point break that faces the southeast. The water’s about 54°, a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a thicker suit.
The first few days are a slow warm-up. Tuesday and Wednesday have some swell, but the conditions are rough. The best early window is Wednesday morning with glassy conditions and a clean 5ft swell from the ESE—moderate energy (337), but the break is inconsistent, so it’s a gamble. Thursday morning drops to 3ft, clean but weak (106). Friday afternoon sees a tiny 2ft SSW swell with a very long 18-second period, offering 440 moderate energy—clean, but small.
The real action starts Sunday, 13 September. A solid 8ft SSW swell, fresh offshore wind, and strong wave energy (2864) make this a standout for experienced surfers. The long-period groundswell will wrap beautifully around this point. Monday, 14 September is another gem: 8ft SSW swell, light cross-offshore wind, and excellent conditions for experts, with very strong energy (2984).
In the second week, Thursday, 17 September pumps out a massive 15ft SSW swell in the afternoon—very strong energy (5567) and clean, but only for the brave. Friday morning, 18 September, is cleaner at 8ft S swell (1599) with light offshore wind. After that, the swell drops off into small, ordinary waves.
The two best calls are Sunday morning, 13 September, and Monday morning, 14 September—both with solid, clean SSW swell and powerful energy. Blackhead is inconsistent, so when it fires, it’s a special day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 20 | S 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | S 5 | S 9 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 10 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 528 | 518 | 455 | 291 | 256 | 172 | 83 | 51 | 76 | 419 | 254 | 172 | 89 | 419 | 4239 | 2851 | 1730 | 1091 | 1901 | 612 | 1292 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:29PM1.54m | 2:56AM1.42m | 3:27PM1.55m | 3:54AM1.43m | 4:23PM1.55m | 4:50AM1.45m | 5:17PM1.55m | 5:44AM1.46m | 6:10PM1.53m | 6:37AM1.46m | 7:01PM1.50m | 7:28AM1.47m | 7:51PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:49PM0.11m | 9:07AM0.09m | 9:47PM0.10m | 10:05AM0.07m | 10:43PM0.08m | 11:02AM0.07m | 11:38PM0.07m | 11:57AM0.07m | 00:30AM0.07m | 12:51PM0.08m | 1:20AM0.09m | 1:44PM0.11m | 2:09AM0.11m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SSW 19 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 10 | S 12 |
| kJ | 528 | 518 | 455 | 291 | 256 | 172 | 83 | 51 | 21 | 203 | 173 | 70 | 89 | 416 | 4239 | 2851 | 1730 | 1091 | 1070 | 612 | 1292 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SE 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ENE 9 | SSW 14 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | SSW 12 | NE 13 |
| kJ | 80 | 72 | 40 | 37 | 35 | 22 | 12 | 23 | 18 | 14 | 254 | 172 | 8 | 419 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 260 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | E 16 | S 13 | NE 15 | NE 14 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | S 8 | SSW 20 | ENE 14 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 13 | ENE 9 | ENE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | E 10 | — | NE 11 | E 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 76 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 17 | 8 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 2 | — | 5 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | NNE 4 | NW 3 | — | SSW 5 | S 7 | — | W 3 | S 5 | — | — | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | SSW 13 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 4 | — | 108 | 419 | — | 5 | 80 | — | — | 27 | 13 | 13 | 1901 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 72 | 95 | 61 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 146 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 10 | 59 | 72 | 61 | 59 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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