Surf Forecasts:
Blackhead surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with 2,569 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blackhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s heading toward Blackhead.
Right now, the surf is just average. Thursday morning we’ve got about 6ft of south swell, but the wind is cross-on from the SSE and it feels all lumpy. Combined wave energy is moderate-high at 1981. It’s not clean, it’s not fun. Thursday afternoon stays around 7ft but just as cross-on and messy. Same story Friday, dropping swell and cross wind. Nothing worth paddling out for.
Saturday morning brings a break: swell drops to just under 3ft from the SSE, winds go cross-off from the NW at around 6 mph. Clean conditions, and by Saturday afternoon it’s glassy. Wave energy is light (250–278), but it’s clean and rideable. That Saturday afternoon glass-off is your best bet for some small fun waves without the wind hassle.
Sunday the offshore wind cranks up to 28 mph and the swell is tiny, maybe 2ft. Hard to get into, not worth the effort.
Now, Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September: the swell jumps to around 8ft from the SSW, with a long period of 12 to 13 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. Combined energy jumps strong to 1703–2172. Wind is offshore from the west, clean conditions. At 8ft it’s getting big for anyone without experience, but for advanced surfers, this is the window. Long period, offshore, smooth lines.
After that, the swell fades through early September. There’s a decent day Friday the 4th with about 3ft of SSW groundswell, 16-second period, and fresh offshore wind. Clean but small. Wave energy moderate at 753. It’s nice but not the main event.
From the 5th of September onward, it gets weak. Swell drops below 2ft through the 8th. There’s a tiny pulse on the 6th with 2ft SSW swell at a very long 19 seconds, but it’s weak, energy at 223. The 8th has some glassy moments but the swell is basically gone. From the 9th to the 11th, it’s mostly small or too windy to bother.
Bottom line: Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September are your standout days. Offshore winds, 8ft SSW groundswell at 12–13 seconds, clean and punchy. That’s the best run of the forecast. Blackhead is a point break, so that long period groundswell will wrap in nicely. Heads up it can be inconsistent, but if you’ve got the experience, that’s your window.
Water temps are about normal for this time of year.
Pick your days, keep it clean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed night, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat night, near gales from the W by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 603 | 1932 | 2433 | 1334 | 653 | 423 | 273 | 164 | 195 | 112 | 51 | 35 | 351 | 1669 | 1871 | 799 | 2139 | 1494 | 1299 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:20AM1.25m | 4:45PM1.37m | 5:06AM1.27m | 5:31PM1.39m | 5:52AM1.29m | 6:16PM1.40m | 6:38AM1.32m | 7:01PM1.42m | 7:24AM1.36m | 7:47PM1.42m | 8:11AM1.39m | 8:34PM1.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:17PM0.30m | 10:28AM0.27m | 11:04PM0.27m | 11:15AM0.24m | 11:50PM0.24m | 12:02PM0.21m | 00:36AM0.21m | 12:49PM0.19m | 1:21AM0.19m | 1:37PM0.18m | 2:06AM0.17m | 2:26PM0.16m | 2:52AM0.15m | ||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — |
mm | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | NE 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 603 | 1932 | 2433 | 1334 | 653 | 423 | 273 | 164 | 195 | 112 | 28 | 35 | 351 | 1669 | 1871 | 14 | 2139 | 1494 | 1299 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 12 | ESE 15 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 10 | SSE 10 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | SE 11 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 21 | 73 | 51 | 67 | 43 | 51 | 33 | 25 | 29 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 27 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | SE 16 | — | SE 14 | SW 12 | ESE 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | NE 7 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | NE 11 | SE 12 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 7 | 7 | — | 9 | — | 29 | 35 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | 19 | 6 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | S 5 | — | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | SW 6 | WSW 4 | W 4 | SSW 7 | — | — | WNW 3 |
| kJ | 23 | 29 | — | 37 | 87 | 101 | 205 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 18 | 160 | 31 | 44 | 799 | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 67 | 123 | 118 | 110 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 59 | 118 | 61 | 10 | 67 | 118 | 59 | 59 | 59 |
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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