Blackhead Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table.

First up, we’ve got a decent pulse of southerly groundswell rolling into Blackhead starting Friday the 21st of August. It’s a point break, exposed to the SE, and the optimum direction is SE too, so that lines up nicely. Friday morning we’re looking at 6 ft of S swell with a very long 16 second period – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is glassy from the NNW at just 3 mph, so the surface will be clean as a whistle. Combined energy is a hefty 1526 (moderate to strong). This is solid, powerful wave energy but because the period is so long and it’s a point break, the waves will have shape and the long gaps between sets actually make paddling out easier. This is strictly for experienced surfers, as 6 ft with that energy will have some push. Friday afternoon stays glassy with 5 ft S swell, period 14 seconds, energy at 1043. Good, but the real standout is the morning session.

Now, let’s be straight – Saturday the 22nd is a write-off. Wind jumps to 12-16 mph cross-off, swell drops to 4 ft and then 3 ft, and the energy craters. Sunday is even worse. That stretch from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon is dead. A real gap in the action.

We get a second wind Monday the 24th. Morning brings 7 ft SSW swell, period 10 seconds, with a clean offshore W wind at 12 mph. Energy is back up to 1359. That’s a powerful, clean session but the period is a bit short, so the waves might be a bit sectiony. Still, it’s good for experienced surfers. Monday afternoon sees the swell build to 8 ft with a longer 13 second period, and energy jumps to 1965. That’s a solid day, but again, that’s expert-only territory with the size. 8 ft is a big wave for most.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th fade into marginal conditions – smaller swell, cross-off winds. Nothing to write home about.

Then, hold on to your board. Monday the 31st of August is the big one. Morning session: 12 ft of pure S groundswell, 15 second period, and glassy conditions with NW wind at 3 mph. The combined energy reading is an enormous 4961 – that’s very, very strong. This is a serious, heavy-duty swell for experts only. The point will hold it, but you need to know what you’re doing. That morning window, with glassy surface and massive long-period energy, is the absolute standout of the entire outlook. Afternoon settles to 10 ft with a light cross-onshore, but the morning is the session.

We then slide into Tuesday the 1st of September with 6 ft S swell, 12 seconds, and a light cross-off wind – clean, solid, still good for experienced surfers, energy at 1400. After that, it tapers off. Wednesday the 2nd still has 6 ft but cross-shore wind messes the surface a bit. By Thursday the 3rd we’re down to 3 ft and small. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.

So to wrap: The real standouts are Friday morning the 21st of August – glassy, long period, punchy but clean – and Monday morning the 31st of August – that is a monster session for the brave. If you’re experienced, those two windows are golden. The rest is either too small, too windy, or just average. Crowds at Blackhead are *sometimes* an issue, so on those good days, expect some company but nothing crazy.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty.

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