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Blackhead 82.5
#1636 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Otago · near Dunedin
Works almost every day, no off season, thick rubber.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score82.5 /100
Surfable days99% of the year
Clean days33% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell49% period 11 s+
Typical size1.6 m 5.4 ft median
Water12°C a 5/4 with boots and hood
Best time to surf Blackhead
The best time to surf Blackhead is April, May, September. The season runs Apr to Apr. In April the water sits around 14°C, so pack a 4/3 with boots, and the typical wave is 1.7 m. The nearest airport is DUD (17 km) and the nearest town is Dunedin (7 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 99% | 28% | 1.5 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 100% | 29% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 100% | 33% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Apr | 99% | 47% | 1.7 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| May | 96% | 39% | 1.7 m | 13°C | 5/4 |
| Jun | 97% | 37% | 1.8 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jul | 97% | 25% | 1.8 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Aug | 100% | 30% | 1.7 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Sep | 97% | 47% | 1.7 m | 10°C | 5/4 |
| Oct | 99% | 34% | 1.8 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Nov | 98% | 28% | 1.4 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Dec | 100% | 22% | 1.4 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
Why 82.5
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
19.9
Groundswell 12%
9.7
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.8
Water comfort 10%
0.0
Access 10%
10.0
The detail
Faces 165° with 42% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 68% of days. Mean peak period 10.8 s. Days over 3 m: 6%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 15%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -45.931, 170.425 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Saint clair beach🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 82.6Brighton🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 85.5Brighton Beach🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 86.5Blue Tops🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 86.0
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