Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.5°C
1.3° 

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 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, S swell with 1,794 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period with S 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 (Sep 14) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period. 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 14th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Mon 14th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 14th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s get into it.

We’re looking at a classic run-up of Southern Ocean energy hitting Blacks Reef, and there are definitely some windows for the crew who know what they’re doing. The early part of the period has some size, but you’ll need to pick your sessions carefully – the wind and conditions shift a lot. The standout windows are Monday the 14th and Saturday the 26th.

First up, Sunday the 13th sees a solid 8ft south swell with a 15-second period, so there’s plenty of push. That long period makes it a proper groundswell, which on a reef setup like this can be really good, but the cross-onshore wind at 12 mph is making it choppy. The water temp is 55°, which is a touch colder than normal for this time of year. Combined swell energy is strong at 2289, so it’s powerful out there.

Monday the 14th morning is where it gets exciting. We’ve got 7ft south swell at 12 seconds, and the wind goes glassy, NE at 3 mph. That’s a treat – clean, lined-up sets. The energy is moderate at 1316. This is the best on offer for the first week, but this size is really for experienced surfers. Monday afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off breeze.

Tuesday the 15th drops to 5ft with glassy conditions again in the morning. It’s smaller but still fun for the experienced crowd. The afternoon picks up a stronger cross-off breeze, so the morning is your window.

From Wednesday the 16th through Thursday the 17th, the swell drops right out. We’re looking at 2ft to 3ft with very weak energy (108 to 167). It’s clean but tiny. A bit of a lull.

Friday the 18th shows a bit more life with 3ft to 3ft southeast swell, period pushing 12-13 seconds. The morning has a gentle offshore, and the afternoon goes glassy. Clean conditions but small. Energy is still weak to moderate (284-307).

Saturday the 19th is small again. 3ft to 3ft but with a long 15-second period. The morning has a cross-shore wind, but the afternoon cleans up with a light cross-off. Energy is moderate (445-491). Not a standout.

Sunday the 20th is a write-off. Strong onshore winds (15-18 mph) and rain. Avoid it.

Monday the 21st morning is back in the game with 4ft south swell and a clean offshore wind. Energy is moderate at 338. It’s a good, clean, smaller session.

Now, here’s the big one – but with a major caveat. Tuesday the 22nd morning sees a massive 13ft swell from the SSW. The energy is huge at 2678. That’s way too big for Blacks Reef. It’s an expert-only situation, and even then, the cross-on wind makes it messy. This is more of a spectacle than a surf session for most.

From Wednesday the 23rd to Friday the 25th, we get into a messy, windy, and inconsistent patch. Swell is up and down between 2ft and 8ft, but the winds are mostly cross or onshore, and the conditions are poor. The energy is moderate but not worth the hassle.

Finally, Saturday the 26th morning is the other true standout. We’ve got 5ft south swell with an 11-second period, light offshore wind from the NE at 3 mph, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate at 606. This is solid, clean, and very surfable for experienced surfers. It’s a promising window.

Sunday the 27th morning holds similar conditions with 5ft from the SSW, a light offshore, and clean surf. The energy is a bit higher at 839.

Monday the 28th is small again, 3ft to 3ft, but with a very long 17-18 second period and clean offshore winds. The energy is moderate (580-657). It’s clean but small, more for a longboard or a quiet session.

So, for the standout: Monday the 14th morning is the best of the first week – glassy, 7ft south swell, clean lines. Saturday the 26th morning is the best of the second week – 5ft, offshore, clean. Both are for experienced surfers at this reef.

Crowds at Blacks Reef are often there, so expect company on the good days.

That’s the story from here. Keep your eyes on the 14th and the 26th.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
3
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
S
15
2
S
14
2.5
S
11
2.1
S
12
1.9
S
13
1.6
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.2
S
10
1
S
9
0.8
SSE
8
0.7
SE
8
0.4
SE
12
0.7
SE
10
0.7
SE
10
0.6
SE
9
0.8
SE
13
0.9
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2289
1553
1510
1311
1127
699
434
284
169
80
72
48
104
88
59
246
244
193
288
370
261
Wind (km/h)
20
W
20
S
10
SSW
5
NE
10
E
10
NNE
5
NNE
20
NE
10
NNW
5
NW
15
E
15
WNW
10
NW
10
NNE
10
N
15
NNE
5
NE
10
WNW
10
W
5
E
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
7:15PM1.74m
7:45AM1.75m
8:04PM1.73m
8:30AM1.77m
8:52PM1.71m
9:14AM1.76m
9:39PM1.68m
9:58AM1.72m
10:25PM1.64m
10:45AM1.66m
11:11PM1.59m
11:34AM1.60m
11:55PM1.52m
Low Tide
1:02PM0.18m
1:33AM0.22m
1:52PM0.24m
2:19AM0.27m
2:43PM0.29m
3:05AM0.33m
3:31PM0.34m
3:51AM0.39m
4:19PM0.39m
4:38AM0.42m
5:05PM0.42m
5:24AM0.45m
5:53PM0.44m
clear
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clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
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cloud
part cloud
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cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
part cloud
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
 mm
2
Temp °C
14
13
10
13
13
11
15
15
13
15
16
13
16
17
12
15
15
12
15
16
14
Feels °C
10
8
7
11
10
9
13
11
10
13
13
10
14
14
9
14
15
11
13
14
11
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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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