Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi)
- Longboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) is an exposed, rural point break on the Wairarapa/Hawke’s Bay coastal side that prioritizes the right mix of swell direction, tide, and west-to-northwest winds. The spot is best at low tide and is described as working on southeast groundswells with west winds. Multiple peaks can offer both right- and left-hand waves when the lineup is favorable. When conditions are dialed, the surf is reported as powerful: steep, fast drop-ins and (at times) good barrel potential. Wave quality is described as good, with peeling/sectiony behavior typical of a point when the point and adjacent sections connect. However, sources emphasize that it is highly condition-dependent with no strong seasonal pattern for ideal surf. The main safety issue is rips: dangerous or strong rip currents are repeatedly highlighted, and the spot’s exposed position beneath rugged cliffs near an active quarry area adds to the need for caution. On larger swells, the wave can become heavy and it can be difficult to paddle out through rips. Unpredictable shore break, submerged rocks near the point, and general isolation are also reported hazards. Facilities and services are limited. You should plan on self-sufficiency (bring your own food and water), and rely on basic on-beach amenities such as toilets and parking/camping arrangements where available. Lifeguards are not reported, and emergency help is not immediate; the nearest major medical services mentioned are in the broader Hawke’s Bay area, with emergency number 111.
- Low tide is consistently best
- Powerful point-break character with steep drop-ins and barrels when conditions match
- Dangerous rip currents—most important risk
- Powerful point break with steep drop-ins and good barrels when conditions line up.
- Low tide is consistently identified as the best tide.
- Often described as low-profile/local in reputation.
- Exposed and condition-dependent—works only when swell/tide/wind are just right.
- Dangerous rip currents reported, especially when the surf is up.
- Remote access and limited on-site services (no shops nearby).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- NW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Winds described as gradient; ideal winds are from the west.
- Reliability
- Low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported gustiness with a moderate gust factor.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, May
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can create wind shadows in certain directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with rock formations at the point.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Surf described as powerful; wave size otherwise reported as medium.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Cross-shore/south winds described as messy; offshore northwest winds described as grooming.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access beside Blackhead Quarry with carpark; wide sandy access near the point.
Through the year
Can get busy during summer holidays and on weekends with good swells; very quiet during winter weekdays.
Winter (June–August) sees more frequent frontal storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point break in Wairarapa. Works best on southeast groundswells with west winds and low tide. Several peaks can offer both right- and left-hand waves when conditions are just right.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is consistently noted as best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point with no meaningful wind/wave protection.
- Wind Effect
- West winds are described as ideal; offshore northwest winds can groom faces. South winds are described as cross-shore and messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells, but becomes heavy and difficult to paddle out through rips.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported; works only when conditions are just right with no strong seasonal pattern.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reported as powerful; also described as having steep, fast drop-ins and good barrels.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed shape reported; another description notes peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Point can produce long, sectiony waves; one source mentions rides between 50 to 150 meters when sections connect.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can provide rides between 50 to 150 meters when point and beach sections connect (reported).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) in the full forecast view.
Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–22 ktsGusts 38 kts
- Direction
- W281°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2922 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.3 m7s period
- Temperature
- 10–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 38 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.5–1.3 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- dangerous rip currents
- strong rip currents
- submerged rocks
- isolation
- unpredictable shore break
- dangerous rips when the surf is up
- spot sits beneath rugged cliffs near active quarry area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard patrols reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is listed as no; broader regional guidance notes rescue is handled by local volunteer units or Coastguard via VHF/mobile call.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services are based in Waipukurau (about 45 minutes away). Emergency number is 111.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and the rural community environment.
- Seasonal camping restrictions apply in certain beach areas.
- Watch out for dangerous rips when the surf is up.
- The point works best as the tide is pushing in from low.
- Bring all supplies as there are no shops in the immediate vicinity.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dunedin
- Nearest Town
- Waipukurau
- Nearest Airport
- Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE) / Napier-area airport (~85 km depending on route).
- Parking
- Carpark beside Blackhead Quarry at the end of Blackhead Road. Public parking also described near the beach access and toilets.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is non-existent to this remote coastline; access is primarily by private vehicle.
- Access
- From Dunedin City, head south on State Highway 1 toward Invercargill, exit for Brighton onto Main South Road/State Highway 1D, turn right onto Brighton Road, then left onto Blackhead Road. Park at the carpark beside Blackhead Quarry when reaching the coastline.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday homes (baches) and a basic campground near the beach; additional options in nearby towns.
- Food & Drink
- No commercial shops; visitors must bring their own food and water.
- Equipment Rental:
- No local rental shops; gear is available in Hastings or Napier (reported).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Rugged, rural Hawke’s Bay coastline with outdoor-focused tourism and day-trip attractions; the area is described as largely undeveloped with limited infrastructure.
Panoramic views over Hawke’s Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
World-famous collection of Art Deco architecture rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake.
The largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world.
Regional wine culture, noted for Syrah and Chardonnay with many cellar doors nearby.
Large water park in Hastings popular for families during summer.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi)?
The best overall months at Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) are May, March, April, October, November, December, January, February. The best wind months are December, January, February, March, May.
Which wind directions work at Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi)?
Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are NW, W.
What skill level is Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) suitable for?
Blackhead 1 (Te Paerahi) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.