Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
11.8°C
1.9° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, S swell with 2,375 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 2.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 24th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 3PM (Mon 24th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 27th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the local stretch.

We're looking at a solid run of waves coming up, but it's a bit of a slow start. The water is sitting at 53°, which is a touch colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want that wetsuit.

The first few days are pretty quiet. Sunday the 23rd is a write-off – small, weak swell with a cross-off wind kicking up a chop. The combined energy is a measly 148 (weak). Not worth paddling out for.

Things start to get interesting on Monday the 24th. The morning is still a bit messy with a cross-shore wind, but the afternoon is where it's at. The swell jumps to 6ft from the S with a long 14-second period, and the energy hits a strong 1352. The wind swings light cross-off, making for clean conditions. This is a solid call for experienced surfers. The longer period will mean some nice shaped lines at Blacks Reef, but with that size, it's not for the beginners.

Tuesday the 25th is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning has a cross-shore wind messing things up a bit, but the afternoon turns glassy. The swell drops to 4ft from the S, 12-second period, with a moderate 456 energy. It's a fun, clean wave. A good smaller board day.

Wednesday the 26th is another beauty. The morning is glassy with a 3ft, 17-second period, long-period groundswell (500 energy). The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze and a 3ft, 16-second period (530 energy). These long-period swells can get a bit straight at a beach break, but Blacks Reef is a reef setup, so it should handle it well.

Thursday the 27th morning has a cross-shore, but the afternoon fires up. The swell is 5ft from the S, 17-second period, with a whopping 1538 energy. The wind is light cross-off and the conditions are clean. That's another one for the experienced crew. Friday the 28th is similar but a bit smaller, with a 5ft, 15-second swell (1150 energy) in the morning, though the wind is a moderate breeze. It's still clean.

The weekend of the 30th and 31st is messy again. The 30th has strong winds and small, weak swell. The 31st brings a bigger, lumpy 8ft cross-on swell (741 energy) – poor conditions, not worth it.

Now, the real standout. Tuesday, September 1st, is the pick of the entire forecast. The morning is crystal clear. We've got an 8ft swell from the S, with a 14-second period. The energy is a massive 2665. The wind is a light cross-off from the NNW, making for clean, open faces. This is a big, powerful, clean swell. It's expert territory for sure, but for those with the skills, it's going to be incredible. That afternoon stays decent too, with a 7ft swell and light cross-shore wind.

There's a fun little run of cleaner, smaller waves from the 3rd to the 5th of September, but nothing that compares to that 1st. Then we get a massive spike on the 6th and 7th of September. There's an 18ft SSW swell coming in on the 6th with an insane 11206 energy, and offshore winds. That's a beast. It's simply too big for this break, so it's a no-go.

The real standout is Tuesday, September 1st at Blacks Reef. The 8ft S swell with light cross-off wind and a long period is a recipe for a proper session. Just be aware it's an exposed spot, and the crowds are often there, so get in early.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
3
2
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
S
10
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
13
1.5
SSW
9
1.8
S
14
1.7
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.9
SSW
11
0.8
S
17
0.9
S
16
0.8
S
14
1.3
S
17
1.8
S
17
1.9
S
16
1.6
S
15
1.4
S
14
1.1
S
13
1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
104
50
43
322
1335
1034
530
339
198
381
417
236
975
1907
1909
1074
704
377
278
202
138
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
30
NW
15
WNW
10
WNW
10
ENE
10
NW
5
NW
5
ENE
15
NW
5
WNW
15
NE
10
NW
10
NW
10
ENE
15
N
15
N
20
NNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
20
SSE
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
1:56PM1.54m
2:10AM1.45m
2:43PM1.52m
2:58AM1.40m
3:28PM1.49m
3:46AM1.38m
4:13PM1.49m
4:33AM1.38m
4:59PM1.50m
5:22AM1.41m
5:47PM1.53m
6:11AM1.46m
6:33PM1.57m
Low Tide
8:10PM0.48m
8:23AM0.46m
8:57PM0.47m
9:11AM0.44m
9:43PM0.43m
10:00AM0.41m
10:29PM0.39m
10:48AM0.36m
11:15PM0.34m
11:32AM0.32m
00:03AM0.30m
12:17PM0.28m
00:49AM0.26m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:45
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
12
14
14
12
15
17
13
16
16
16
18
17
15
16
16
15
15
13
11
Feels °C
10
10
7
12
10
9
13
15
10
14
12
13
17
14
12
12
12
11
12
9
8
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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