Surf Forecasts:
Blackhead surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,198 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 4s. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Blackhead over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the first week is a bit of a struggle. There's a lot of small, weak swell and ordinary wind, making it a real challenge to find anything decent. The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 53.2°F.
We finally get a window of opportunity on Wednesday morning, 9th September. The forecast shows a 5ft swell from the S with period 8 seconds, and the wind is forecast to be glassy. This is a standout for the whole period – clean conditions and a bit of size. The combined swell energy is moderate (339). For a spot that's inconsistent, this is a rare and welcome moment. Don't expect it to last, though, as the afternoon turns ugly.
The next real highlight is further out. On Saturday, 12th September, a massive SSW swell hits, with 13ft on the Saturday morning, and the combined energy is a very strong 5004. This is expert territory only. The wind is a strong offshore (34 mph), but it's a near gale, making it incredibly hard to paddle into. This is a big, raw, powerful ocean – more for the experienced crew willing to battle the elements.
Then, on Tuesday, 15th September, we get another solid pulse of S swell, 8ft, with a period of 12 seconds. The wind is a fresh offshore (19-22 mph), keeping it clean. This is another big day, only for experts, with a very strong 1973-2127 combined energy. The south swell direction is right on the money for Blackhead.
The rest of the period is a mix of onshore or cross-off winds and smaller swell, nothing to get excited about. For a spot that's inconsistent, it's a typical run of quiet days with a couple of big, wild moments.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat night, light winds from the NNW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 8 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | S 18 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 62 | 55 | 180 | 62 | 155 | 55 | 38 | 58 | 127 | 606 | 758 | 866 | 317 | 190 | 99 | 31 | 24 | 138 | 116 | 163 | 274 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:35AM1.50m | 00:02AM1.42m | 12:32PM1.52m | 00:59AM1.41m | 1:30PM1.53m | 1:58AM1.42m | 2:29PM1.54m | 2:56AM1.42m | 3:27PM1.55m | 3:54AM1.43m | 4:23PM1.55m | 4:50AM1.45m | 5:17PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:56PM0.14m | 6:15AM0.13m | 6:53PM0.14m | 7:12AM0.12m | 7:51PM0.13m | 8:09AM0.10m | 8:49PM0.11m | 9:07AM0.09m | 9:47PM0.10m | 10:05AM0.07m | 10:43PM0.08m | 11:02AM0.07m | 11:38PM0.07m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | NE 6 | S 8 | SE 8 | NE 6 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 6 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 62 | 55 | 180 | 35 | 155 | 54 | 38 | 47 | 127 | 33 | 1 | 637 | 317 | 190 | 99 | 31 | 24 | 138 | 116 | 27 | 274 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSE 10 | SSW 18 | WSW 5 | SSW 17 | NE 5 | SSW 9 | NE 8 | NE 6 | E 16 | NE 10 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 4 | NE 5 | SSE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 18 | S 18 | SSW 10 |
| kJ | 21 | 21 | 9 | 62 | 3 | 55 | 10 | 58 | 78 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 23 | 110 | 163 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | S 10 | NE 10 | SW 5 | NE 5 | NE 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | S 15 | — | E 15 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | NE 7 | SSW 14 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 4 | — | 4 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 79 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | W 3 | WSW 5 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | — | NE 7 | NNE 4 | NW 3 | — | W 4 | SW 4 | W 4 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 14 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 37 | 2 | 14 | 606 | 758 | 866 | — | 13 | 10 | 1 | — | 18 | 15 | 17 | 123 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 67 | 67 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80 | 80 | 61 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 148 | 67 | 176 | 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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