Surf Forecasts:
Blackhead surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 5,839 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with SE 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 (Jul 11) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Blackhead in the next 16 days are 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days.
Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s talk about Blackhead, a point break that’s usually a fickle beginner’s wave, but when it gets going, it can really hold some size.
The first few days are a total loss. Thursday morning is a mess: a big 18-foot swell from the SSE, but the wind is howling from the south at 31 mph, turning it into a complete whiteout. Thursday afternoon is no better with rain and strong cross-shore wind. Friday is only slightly less ugly, but still not worth it.
Saturday the 11th is the first real sign of life. The morning has a 7-foot swell from the SE, with a gentle cross-off breeze from the SSW. It’s clean, with a solid 1114 units of energy. This is for the experienced crew, as it’s too big for beginners. The afternoon drops a little but stays clean.
Now, Sunday morning the 12th is a real gem. The swell drops to 3 feet, but it’s a long-period 14-second groundswell from the SSW. The wind is glassy, dead calm at 3 mph from the west. That’s a rare, beautiful morning for a point break. The waves will be clean, lined up, and fat. Perfect for a log or a funboard. The energy is low (517), but the quality will be top-notch.
The middle of the week goes quiet, with small windswell. The best of the second week is shaping up for Saturday the 18th. The morning is clean with a 4-foot swell from the ESE, but the afternoon is the standout: 7 feet of groundswell from the ESE, a 14-second period, and glassy conditions. That’s solid, clean, and powerful—definitely for the experienced lot. The combined energy hits 1878, so it’s got real punch.
Looking further out, there’s a spike on Monday the 20th. A big 12-foot NE swell with glassy wind. That’s huge, cranking, and only for the brave. The following Thursday the 23rd is also looking promising, with an 12-foot S swell and clean cross-off wind. That’s a proper groundswell, but it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.
The water temperature is about 55°, which is a touch colder than average for this time of year, but nothing crazy.
So, the top pick is without a doubt Sunday morning, July 12th at Blackhead. It’ll be glassy, clean, and the long-period SSW groundswell will wrap in beautifully. For a bigger, more powerful session, the Saturday afternoon, July 18th is the one to circle.
Crowds can be a pain at Blackhead, so expect some company on these clean days, especially Sunday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 10°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Thu morning, light winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | ESE 9 | S 10 | S 13 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6112 | 5839 | 4985 | 2106 | 1249 | 958 | 862 | 475 | 406 | 247 | 269 | 198 | 96 | 68 | 87 | 116 | 141 | 88 | 52 | 53 | 50 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:13PM1.36m | 00:35AM1.39m | 1:07PM1.43m | 1:31AM1.41m | 2:04PM1.49m | 2:29AM1.44m | 3:02PM1.56m | 3:28AM1.47m | 4:00PM1.61m | 4:27AM1.50m | 4:59PM1.66m | 5:25AM1.52m | 5:57PM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:26PM0.21m | 6:52AM0.16m | 7:22PM0.18m | 7:46AM0.12m | 8:20PM0.14m | 8:42AM0.09m | 9:20PM0.10m | 9:40AM0.05m | 10:20PM0.06m | 10:39AM0.01m | 11:20PM0.03m | 11:38AM-0.01m | 00:19AM0.00m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — |
 | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — |
mm | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 13 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | E 6 |
| kJ | 175 | 45 | 73 | 2106 | 1249 | 958 | 862 | 475 | 329 | 242 | 188 | 153 | 94 | 59 | 87 | 28 | 19 | 88 | 44 | 24 | 16 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 17 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 227 | 165 | 71 | 128 | 329 | 406 | 247 | 269 | 198 | 96 | 68 | 42 | 18 | 13 | 19 | 52 | 53 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 17 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 6 | S 6 | — | SSW 15 | SW 14 | NE 12 | E 12 | ESE 7 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 195 | — | 80 | 34 | 32 | 39 | 28 | — | 21 | 51 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 35 | 50 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | — | SSW 6 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6112 | 5839 | 4985 | 573 | 265 | — | 90 | 59 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 10 | 35 | 116 | 141 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 262 | 313 | 334 | 123 | 123 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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