Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.5°C
1.1° 

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 28 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, SSW swell with 6,595 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 29th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 1st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 1st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown on what’s coming our way for Blacks Reef. Let’s cut straight to it.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but don’t you worry – there are a couple of days that are gonna be absolutely firing. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a touch colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want the thick rubber.

The opening number on Friday the 28th is just a tease. We’ve got a clean 4ft of south swell rolling in with a solid 13-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (557). The wind is cross-off from the north, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. It’s surfable, but nothing to get too excited about. The rating is low; it’s a marginal call.

Things start to look better on Saturday the 29th. The swell drops to 3ft from the south, but the wind swings offshore from the north-northeast all day, both morning and afternoon. That means clean, smooth waves. The energy drops to a moderate 270 and 239, so it’s not powerful, but for a beginner-friendly reef break like this, it’s a good little session.

Sunday the 30th is a write-off. Light, weak, and messy onshore winds from the west and west-southwest. The swell is tiny and the energy is poor (123 dropping to 57). Save your energy.

Monday the 31st is where we start to see some real meat in the forecast. The morning is a bit of a mess with a 10ft south-southwest swell and strong onshore wind – that’s too big and blown out for this spot. But Monday afternoon? That’s a standout. The swell drops to a clean 8ft from the south, with a solid 11-second period. The wind goes glassy. Zero wind. The combined energy is a very strong 1630, so there’s plenty of push. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. If you’ve got the skills, be on it.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a washout. Big swell (8ft to 13ft) but with strong onshore south-southwest winds. It’s a mess. Skip it.

The best on offer right now is Wednesday the 2nd of September. We’ve got a solid 10ft to 8ft south swell, with a long 12-second period. The combined energy is massive (2326 to 2229) – that’s serious power. But the real kicker is the wind: light offshore from the north and north-northwest, keeping it clean all day. This is an excellent day for experienced surfers only. The water will be powerful and the sets will have some serious grunt. This is the one to circle.

Thursday the 3rd is still very good, but a step down. Swell drops to 6ft with a 12-second period, and the energy is still strong (871). The wind is cross-off from the northwest, so it’s clean. A good day for a wide range of surfers.

Things fade after that. Friday the 4th through to Tuesday the 8th is a run of small, weak, or blown-out conditions. Swell drops below 3ft, the energy is weak, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-off at best. Not worth the paddle.

We get a little glimmer on Wednesday the 10th of September. Thursday afternoon sees a 4ft south swell with a 12-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is moderate (418). That’s a worthwhile session if you’re hanging out for a wave, but it’s not a standout.

Then we get one more crazy blip on Friday the 11th of September. The morning forecast shows a massive 13ft south-southwest swell with a short 10-second period and clean offshore wind. The energy is enormous (2792). But here’s the thing – that’s too big for Blacks Reef. The forecast literally says it’s too big for this break. For experts only, and even then, it might be a close-out. After that, it’s back to small and messy.

So, the takeaway? Wednesday the 2nd of September is your day. Clean, powerful, consistent south swell with light offshore wind. Get out there. Monday afternoon the 31st of August is also excellent if you can make it. The rest of the window is mostly flat or blown out, with a few fun but not essential windows.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat night, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Mon night, calm by Wed morning).

Fri
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
4
4
4
4
3
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
14
3
SSW
8
2.3
S
11
2.2
S
13
2.3
SSW
14
4
S
14
3
S
13
3
S
12
2.4
S
12
2.1
S
13
1.7
S
12
1.4
S
12
1
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
543
350
216
202
154
106
52
100
917
1276
1617
1928
6389
3200
2326
1709
1461
871
563
264
Wind (km/h)
15
N
15
N
15
N
15
NNE
10
N
10
W
15
WSW
25
W
20
SW
5
WSW
40
WNW
25
SSW
30
SSW
10
WNW
5
NNW
10
N
15
NW
15
NW
15
WNW
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
glassy
cross
on
on
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
5:47PM1.53m
6:11AM1.46m
6:33PM1.57m
6:58AM1.52m
7:20PM1.62m
7:44AM1.59m
8:05PM1.66m
8:29AM1.65m
8:52PM1.69m
9:13AM1.70m
9:40PM1.69m
9:59AM1.73m
10:30PM1.68m
Low Tide
00:03AM0.30m
12:17PM0.28m
00:49AM0.26m
1:02PM0.25m
1:35AM0.24m
1:48PM0.24m
2:20AM0.23m
2:37PM0.24m
3:05AM0.23m
3:28PM0.25m
3:52AM0.23m
4:20PM0.25m
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:46
 mm
1
5
1
Temp °C
16
14
17
15
13
14
16
14
11
13
14
8
9
7
12
16
11
18
19
15
Feels °C
12
12
14
13
11
11
12
10
8
11
5
2
1
4
10
13
7
14
15
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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