Surf Forecasts:
Blackhead surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, ESE swell with 3,023 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period with S 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 13s 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) 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 2.0m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's talk about Blackhead. This ain't a beginner's wave; it's a proper point break that's inconsistent, so when it turns on, you drop everything. The water's sittin' at about 55°F, which is just a bit chillier than usual for this time of year, so you'll want that 4/3 on.
The week kicks off with some juice. On the 21st, Tuesday morning, we've got a solid 7ft S swell at 15 seconds, pumping in. The wind's a light cross-offshore out of the NW at just 3 mph, so it's gonna be clean. That combined energy is a hefty 2093 (strong), but with that long 15-second period, the sets will be spaced out, and on a point, it should line up beautifully. That afternoon the swell drops to 6ft, and the wind goes cross-shore, so it's still okay but not as crisp.
Wednesday the 22nd morning still has rideable 3ft waves from the SSW with clean winds, but the energy is fading. The real standout is brewing for Tuesday the 28th. That morning delivers a big 8ft swell from the ESE with a 14-second period and light cross-offshore winds out of the WSW at 9 mph. The combined energy is massive at 3263 (very strong). That is proper groundswell. This is expert territory with that size and power. The swell hangs around, with Wednesday the 29th and Friday the 31st both showing solid 6ft and 6ft ESE swells respectively, with clean winds.
Now, for the absolute best, mark your calendar for Monday the 3rd of August. We're talking a monstrous 16ft swell from the SSE with an 11-second period. The wind is a gentle 9 mph cross-offshore from the NNW, keeping it clean. The combined energy is off the charts at 6045 (extremely strong). That is a big, powerful, dangerous swell. For experienced surfers only.
The next day, Tuesday the 4th, the swell is still huge at 10ft from the SSE, but Tuesday afternoon goes glassy. With glass conditions out of the SSW and that energy still high (2272), it could be a magical session if you've got the nerve.
There are lulls and some messy wind in between, so pick your moments. For the cream of the crop for those who can handle it, it's the 3rd of August. For a slightly smaller but still epic day, the 28th of July is your wave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the S by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | S 8 | ESE 14 | S 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2012 | 1262 | 663 | 263 | 333 | 165 | 83 | 54 | 18 | 16 | 31 | 230 | 114 | 1429 | 1143 | 295 | 250 | 323 | 1110 | 2003 | 3023 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:00AM1.41m | 11:21PM1.42m | 11:51AM1.37m | 00:12AM1.35m | 12:41PM1.35m | 1:01AM1.30m | 1:29PM1.33m | 1:49AM1.27m | 2:16PM1.33m | 2:36AM1.26m | 3:02PM1.33m | 3:22AM1.25m | 3:48PM1.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:12PM0.16m | 5:40AM0.16m | 6:04PM0.22m | 6:27AM0.21m | 6:54PM0.27m | 7:13AM0.26m | 7:43PM0.30m | 7:59AM0.29m | 8:30PM0.32m | 8:44AM0.30m | 9:18PM0.33m | 9:30AM0.30m | 10:05PM0.32m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 6 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | S 9 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | E 11 | S 9 | E 12 | E 12 | SSE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 |
| kJ | 2012 | 1262 | 663 | 263 | 333 | 165 | 83 | 54 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 91 | 114 | 127 | 664 | 178 | 235 | 234 | 1110 | 2003 | 3023 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 11 | ESE 11 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 12 | S 9 | ENE 12 | ESE 17 | E 11 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 13 | SSE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 81 | 70 | 47 | 121 | 22 | 50 | 42 | 38 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 6 | 48 | 119 | 116 | 264 | 250 | 319 | 199 | 115 | 95 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 11 | S 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 9 | ESE 10 | SW 8 | SE 11 | ESE 13 | NE 8 | ESE 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 8 | ESE 14 | SSW 12 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 29 | 4 | 27 | 25 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 11 | 220 | 49 | 23 | 286 | 82 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | WSW 4 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | — | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 31 | 230 | 50 | 1429 | 1143 | 295 | 236 | 323 | — | 270 | 302 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 156 | 67 | 169 | 21 | 0 | 95 | 0 | 0 | 80 | 95 | 95 | 123 | 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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