Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with 6,865 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. 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 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening for the local stretch.
It's a rough start, with a real stormy few days, but we've got a couple of clean windows of solid swell that will light up the reef. Patience is the name of the game.
The first few days are a total loss. Wednesday and Thursday the 19th and 20th of August are just ugly – a big, messy swell from the South, with 15ft to 7ft of wind-blown junk, all pushed by a strong onshore breeze. The wave energy is huge (up to 5657), but it's a total mess. Don't even think about it.
The first real chance comes on Friday, the 21st of August. This is the standout. Blacks Reef will be on. The wind turns light and from the NNW and ENE, giving us clean, cross-off conditions. The swell drops to a much more manageable 6ft to 6ft, but it's a long-period, 16-second groundswell from the South. This is proper energy, with a combined energy reading of 2151. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a 3/2mm wetsuit is the call. The reef will be handling that long period beautifully, delivering deep, powerful lines. This one is for the experienced surfers as the size and long period will be a handful for beginners. It's a consistent spot, but you can expect company as it's often crowded.
Saturday morning the 22nd still has a bit of leftover energy, with 4ft of South swell and a 12-second period, but the wind starts to shift, making it less perfect. The session fades fast into the afternoon. Sunday and Monday are small and weak, with combined energy dropping below 411 – not worth the paddle.
We get a little reprieve on Tuesday the 25th of August. The swell is small (3ft) but the real highlight is the glassy, dead-calm wind from the North in the afternoon. Combined with a 12-second period, the waves will be tiny but clean and fun on a longboard if you're keen.
The second week is a mixed bag with a couple of promising days. Thursday the 27th of August sees a small but clean 2ft to 3ft South swell with a nice offshore wind from the NE. It's gentle and clean, good for a quiet session. Then Friday the 28th of August morning has a bit more size (4ft) and a long 16-second period, but the wind is a bit messy. The afternoon improves with clean offshore winds.
The real wildcard lands on Monday, the 31st of August. A solid 8ft South swell with a 15-second period rolls in, carrying a massive combined energy of 2457. The wind is light and cross-onshore, which will mess up the surface. It's a big, powerful groundswell that will be tricky at the reef, but for the experts, it could be a proper session. Keep an eye on it, but the quality isn't quite there to call it a standout.
The very end of the forecast, on Thursday the 3rd of September, looks like another good one. A clean 6ft South swell with a 12-second period, combined with a light offshore wind from the North, giving us 1039 in combined energy. This is another excellent window for experienced surfers, with clean, powerful waves.
So, to wrap it up: Friday the 21st of August is the absolute best on offer – that clean, long-period South swell at Blacks Reef is a must-surf. The Monday the 31st of August and Thursday the 3rd of September are also promising, but less certain this far out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 16 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 12 | SE 13 | S 13 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
8369 | 5339 | 3834 | 2785 | 547 | 450 | 381 | 1652 | 1402 | 572 | 393 | 246 | 146 | 71 | 47 | 39 | 44 | 202 | 648 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:10PM1.71m | 10:33AM1.72m | 10:59PM1.67m | 11:22AM1.67m | 11:48PM1.62m | 12:14PM1.62m | 00:35AM1.57m | 1:06PM1.58m | 1:22AM1.51m | 1:56PM1.54m | 2:10AM1.45m | 2:43PM1.52m | 2:58AM1.40m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:27AM0.30m | 4:51PM0.34m | 5:15AM0.36m | 5:41PM0.40m | 6:03AM0.41m | 6:30PM0.44m | 6:49AM0.45m | 7:20PM0.47m | 7:35AM0.46m | 8:10PM0.48m | 8:23AM0.46m | 8:57PM0.47m | |||||||
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | 7 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | -1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | SE 9 | S 14 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 8 | S 16 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 5 | SSW 7 | S 13 | SSW 15 |
84 | 17 | 612 | 2785 | 243 | 170 | 381 | 1652 | 1402 | 572 | 393 | 246 | 146 | 71 | 47 | 6 | 17 | 202 | 648 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 16 | SE 9 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | S 17 | SE 13 |
— | — | 1211 | 537 | 513 | 209 | 115 | 157 | 117 | 70 | 20 | 15 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 39 | 44 | 135 | 44 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | — | S 16 | E 15 | ESE 14 | SE 8 | — | NW 3 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 13 | NE 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | 25 | 204 | 342 | — | 82 | 4 | 19 | 3 | — | 2 | 15 | 6 | 44 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | — | SSW 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NW 4 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | SW 6 | NNE 4 |
8369 | 5339 | 3834 | — | 547 | 450 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 8 | 8 | 13 | — | 3 | 2 | 30 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 169 | 91 | 162 | 9 | 62 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











