Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Issued: 11 pm 03 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
13.0° C

1.5°C colder than average for this time of year

Blacks Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Blacks Reef surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 4,845 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period with E swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Blacks Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 04) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 4th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 8th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Most Powerful12AM (Sat 11th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here with the long-range outlook for Blacks Reef. Let’s get into it.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a solid run of clean surf kicking off this Saturday morning, July 4th. The weekend starts with a nice 1.4m swell out of the ESE, with a period around 12 seconds – that’s proper groundswell with some energy behind it. The combined energy is sitting at 545 (moderate), and with a light offshore breeze from the NNE, the conditions are looking clean. This is a consistent reef break that’s exposed to the south swell, and it’s rated for beginners, so it’s a good option for a wide range of surfers. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

Sunday, July 5th sees the swell ease a bit, dropping to 1.0m on Sunday morning and 0.9m in the afternoon, but the wind stays offshore from the NNE. It’s still clean, just a little smaller. The period drops to 10 seconds, so not quite as much push, but it’s still fun.

Monday, July 6th, the morning swell picks back up to 1.2m with offshore winds, and the period holds at 9 seconds. But it’s the Monday afternoon that’s the stand-out of the first week. The swell bumps up to 1.8m out of the east, period at 9 seconds, and the energy jumps to 599 (moderate). The wind swings light offshore from the NE, and it’s looking really clean. This is a top session for the week.

Tuesday morning, July 7th, is glassy – I mean, absolutely glassy. The wind is NW at just 5 km/h, which is as good as it gets. The swell is 1.6m out of the east, period 10 seconds, and the energy is 760 (moderate). The water will be like a mirror. That’s a magic window.

Now, Wednesday, July 8th, is a big day. The morning has a 2.3m swell from the ESE with a 10-second period and the energy is a whopping 1297 (strong). The wind is glassy again from the west. This is a true standout for experienced surfers – 2.3m is getting too big for beginners, but for the crew who know what they’re doing, the conditions will be excellent. The afternoon though, watch out – the wind goes cross-onshore from the SSE and it gets lumpy.

From Thursday, July 9th, through to Sunday, July 12th, the weather turns nasty. Strong onshore winds, rain, and a messy, blown-out ocean. The swell gets huge – up to 4.0m on Saturday, July 11th – but with onshore winds of 30-40 km/h and an energy reading of 3575 (very strong), it’s a no-go for paddling. This setup would be more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfers. There’s a solid four-day gap here with no decent surf.

Monday, July 13th, things start to clean up. The morning is marginal with a cross-shore wind, but the afternoon is a gem. The swell is 2.2m out of the SE, period 10 seconds, energy is 1093 (strong), and the wind is light cross-offshore from the ENE. The conditions are excellent for experienced surfers again. This is a strong contender if you can sneak out mid-week.

Tuesday, July 14th, keeps the good vibes rolling. The swell drops a touch to 1.8m out of the ESE, but the period stretches to 12 seconds, giving it real grunt. The wind is offshore from the NE in the afternoon. Energy is 925 (moderate), and the conditions are clean and inviting. Another top day.

Wednesday, July 15th, offers more clean surf with a 1.6m ESE swell, 10-second period, and light offshore winds from the NNE. Good stuff.

By Thursday, July 16th, the swell drops below 1m, and by Friday, July 17th, the wind cranks out of the east at 40 km/h in the morning – that’s messy. But Friday afternoon has a surprise: a 2.5m south swell with an 8-second period, but the wind is light and cross-offshore from the ENE. The energy is 1026 (strong), and it’s clean. That’s a wildcard, but it could be a really fun, punchy session for those who like a steeper wave.

Saturday, July 18th, the swell blows up to 4.0m out of the south with onshore winds again – just too big and too messy for this break.

Overall, the first week has the best mix of clean conditions and solid swell. The absolute best on offer are Monday afternoon, July 6th, and that glassy Tuesday morning, July 7th. For the experienced crew, Wednesday morning, July 8th, is a standout. The second week has some clean windows on Monday, July 13th afternoon and Tuesday, July 14th, but those are further out, so less certain.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 57mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the S by Thu morning).

Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Fri
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
0
2
1
1
2
3
3
3
2
3
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
12
1.4
ESE
12
1.4
E
11
0.1
S
12
1
E
10
0.9
ESE
10
0.9
E
10
1.2
E
9
1.8
E
9
1.6
E
9
1.6
E
10
1.7
E
10
2
ESE
10
2.3
ESE
10
2.4
ESE
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.5
ESE
10
1.8
S
8
2.4
S
9
3.5
SSE
10
4
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
672
541
467
3
200
163
158
251
565
425
490
561
727
1019
1016
636
383
370
856
2762
2568
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
10
N
15
NNE
20
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
10
N
20
NNE
10
NE
10
NNW
5
NW
10
SW
5
SSW
5
W
15
SSE
25
SSW
30
SSW
30
S
35
S
40
S
40
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
8:43AM1.46m
9:00PM1.57m
9:24AM1.48m
9:44PM1.57m
10:05AM1.50m
10:30PM1.58m
10:48AM1.53m
11:16PM1.60m
11:34AM1.57m
00:04AM1.63m
12:26PM1.63m
00:54AM1.67m
1:22PM1.70m
Low Tide
2:37AM0.35m
2:42PM0.37m
3:19AM0.32m
3:27PM0.35m
4:02AM0.31m
4:14PM0.35m
4:46AM0.31m
5:01PM0.35m
5:32AM0.31m
5:49PM0.35m
6:18AM0.31m
6:42PM0.36m
7:07AM0.30m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
thunderstorm
mod rain
heavy rain
mod rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:58
4:59
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:00
 mm
4
3
12
2
3
10
17
10
16
9
2
Temp °C
10
13
15
12
13
15
12
13
12
11
12
12
12
13
13
13
12
13
13
12
11
Feels °C
7
9
10
8
10
12
10
9
9
9
10
10
11
12
10
9
6
8
7
5
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
12
1.4
ESE
12
1.4
E
11
0.1
S
12
1
E
10
0.9
ESE
10
0.9
E
10
1.2
E
9
1.8
E
9
1.6
E
9
1.6
E
10
1.7
E
10
0.8
SSW
10
0.4
SSW
14
0.5
S
14
1.8
ESE
10
1.5
ESE
10
1.4
ESE
10
1.3
ESE
10
0.3
S
18
0.4
SSW
17
Energy kJ
672
541
467
3
200
163
158
251
565
425
490
561
125
68
93
636
383
370
315
57
101
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.9
NE
7
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
14
0.2
S
20
0.4
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
10
0.9
SSW
10
0.4
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
9
0.6
S
13
0.7
NE
9
0.5
NE
8
0.4
SSW
16
0.6
NE
8
Energy kJ
5
4
3
3
75
6
5
4
31
108
173
150
79
64
130
77
33
89
53
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
15
0.1
N
11
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
22
0.1
S
13
0.3
SSW
10
0.4
SSW
17
0.4
SSW
16
0.6
SSW
15
0.6
S
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.5
S
10
0.3
S
18
0.5
S
16
0.4
SSW
15
Energy kJ
4
2
3
9
3
21
97
86
176
146
158
50
55
132
71
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NE
4
1.5
E
11
1.3
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
0.9
NE
6
1.8
NE
8
1.9
NE
9
2
ESE
10
2.3
ESE
10
2.4
ESE
10
1.2
S
7
1.6
S
8
1.8
S
8
2.4
S
9
3.5
SSE
10
4
SSE
10
Energy kJ
24
516
159
69
62
358
554
727
1019
1016
143
291
358
856
2762
2568
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
3
3
3
2
3
4
4
2
3
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
0
0
0
33
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
0
14
91
99
114
114
168
162
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
2
4
4
5
5
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
5
9
7
5
6
8
7
5
5
9
9
9
5
6
6
7
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the Blacks Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Blacks Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Blacks Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Blacks Reef 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 (Blacks Reef) 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 Blacks Reef 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.

Blacks Reef is 50 km (31 miles) from the city of Gisborne. If you plan a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Gisborne. Gisborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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