Surf Forecasts:
Blackhead surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with 7,525 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period with SSE 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, let's get into it. The only spot on the cards for the next 16 days is Blackhead, a point break that's a bit inconsistent but can fire when things line up. It's a bit of a mixed bag, with a slow start, a big pulse of energy mid-week, and then a couple of real standouts to finish the first week.
The water temperature is sitting at 54°, which is a touch below the long-term average for this time of year. Not freakishly cold, but you'll want a decent suit.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Sunday afternoon kicks off with a clean 7 ft southerly swell, but the energy is already strong at 1360. It's good for experienced surfers, but the inconsistent nature of the break means it won't be a non-stop party. Monday gets blown out by strong winds, and Tuesday and Wednesday are just too big and messy with that 13 ft to 16 ft swell, perfect for the big-wave crew but not for a fun session.
The real standout kicks off on Thursday, August 6th. The morning is looking clean with a 6 ft SSE swell (energy at 1158) and light offshore winds. That's a great combo. The afternoon cleans up with a 5 ft S swell and gentler winds. Friday morning, August 7th, is also a gem with a 3 ft S swell, but here's the kicker – the period is a massive 18 seconds. That's a very long period groundswell that will wrap in with real power and shape, making the point break work beautifully. The afternoon is even better: 6 ft S swell with a 16-second period and a gentle offshore breeze. This is the best on offer.
Saturday, August 8th, holds in with clean 5 ft to 6 ft S swell, and Sunday, August 9th, is a glassy dream. The afternoon has an 8 ft SSE swell with a 14-second period and glassy conditions. That's a big, powerful, clean swell for the experts.
Things start to fade after that. The second week is pretty quiet. There's a glimmer on Tuesday, August 11th, with a glassy morning and a 6 ft SSE swell (14-second period), and Sunday, August 16th, kicks off with a fresh offshore but only small 3 ft SSE swell. The energy drops right off into the 100s and even the 40s by the end of the week. The last few days are mostly small and weak, with a tiny bump on Monday, August 17th, coming from the NE with a short period of 6 seconds.
So, the takeaway? If you're a competent surfer, don't miss Thursday August 6th through Sunday August 9th. Especially the Friday and Sunday sessions. The rest of the window is either too big, blown out, or just too small to bother with.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 5°C on Tue afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 13 | S 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 924 | 878 | 319 | 418 | 925 | 2430 | 6962 | 7525 | 4992 | 3404 | 1815 | 717 | 514 | 377 | 504 | 1474 | 1662 | 942 | 687 | 551 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:15PM1.40m | 8:37AM1.30m | 8:58PM1.39m | 9:22AM1.32m | 9:44PM1.39m | 10:10AM1.36m | 10:32PM1.39m | 10:59AM1.40m | 11:22PM1.40m | 11:52AM1.44m | 00:17AM1.41m | 12:48PM1.48m | 1:13AM1.42m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:37AM0.22m | 2:49PM0.22m | 3:20AM0.20m | 3:36PM0.21m | 4:04AM0.19m | 4:24PM0.21m | 4:50AM0.18m | 5:15PM0.19m | 5:39AM0.16m | 6:09PM0.18m | 6:32AM0.14m | 7:06PM0.16m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 4 | -2 | -3 | -3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 13 | S 14 | NE 12 | NE 12 | — | — | SE 18 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 924 | 878 | 319 | 418 | 925 | 6 | 6 | — | — | 12 | 1815 | 717 | 422 | 377 | 478 | 1474 | 1662 | 942 | 687 | 551 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 16 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SE 10 | S 18 | SSE 10 | SE 13 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 |
| kJ | 427 | 46 | 162 | 214 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | 363 | 238 | 273 | 504 | 325 | 42 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 15 | NE 14 | SSW 10 | SSW 19 | NE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | SE 15 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | NE 14 | S 18 | S 18 | S 20 |
| kJ | 9 | 8 | 100 | 73 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 78 | 136 | 169 | 104 | 75 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WSW 4 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 |
| kJ | — | 7 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 2430 | 6962 | 7525 | 4992 | 3404 | — | — | 514 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 59 | 67 | 67 | 256 | 264 | 256 | 123 | 256 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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