Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 18s period, S swell with 3,872 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with ESE 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 2.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 18s |
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 cookin’ at Blacks Reef.
We’re lookin’ at a solid run, startin’ slow but buildin’ into something real tasty. The 15th kicks off with a tiny 1 ft ESE swell, glassy wind, but the energy is weak (68). Water temp is 55°, a bit colder than usual. Surfable, but barely.
Thursday the 16th shows some life. Morning brings a clean 2 ft groundswell from the ESE, 15-second period, with a light offshore breeze. Energy jumps to 225 (moderate). It’s clean.
Friday the 17th is when it gets real. Morning has 5 ft from the SE, 16-second period, clean offshore wind, and strong energy (1392). Excellent for experienced surfers. Afternoon is bigger at 6 ft, but wind goes cross-shore.
Saturday the 18th is the true standout. Morning: 5 ft SE, 14-second period, clean offshore. Afternoon: 4 ft, same direction, but *glassy* with a light easterly breeze. Energy is very strong (1516). That’s the session.
Sunday the 19th is a washout. 7 ft south swell, but onshore wind and rain. Energy is massive (3121), but it’s blown to bits.
Monday the 20th is redemption. Morning: 7 ft south swell, 15-second period, *glassy* conditions. Energy is very strong (2026). Excellent for experienced surfers. That long period will make it break straight at the beach, so Blacks Reef will handle it, but expect long waits between sets.
The rest of the first week tapers off. Tuesday the 21st still has size (7 ft) but cross-shore wind. By Wednesday the 22nd, it’s 4 ft and clean.
Second week, from the 23rd onward, it’s small. 3 ft down to 2 ft, mostly clean with glassy or light offshore winds. Energy drops to moderate and then weak. The 27th shows a brief pulse of 4 ft south swell with a 17-second period and clean wind, but it’s a one-off.
The end of the run, July 30th, throws 10 ft SSW swell, but with 25 km/h onshore winds and zero quality. Kite day, not paddle.
Standout calls: Saturday the 18th afternoon – glassy, 4 ft, clean, energy pumpin’. Monday the 20th morning for the big, clean groundswell, but for experts only.
Crowds at Blacks Reef are often there, so get out early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 21 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 47 | 96 | 196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1493 | 1171 | 899 | 696 | 3678 | 2682 | 1947 | 1611 | 1817 | 2434 | 3625 | 2164 | 1411 | 839 | 485 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:14PM1.96m | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | 9:50PM1.81m | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | 11:07AM1.68m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:59AM1.65m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | 4:12AM0.14m | 4:30PM0.21m | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:23PM0.29m | 5:51AM0.28m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 |
 | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | 5:09 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 21 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 47 | 96 | 196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1493 | 1171 | 899 | 696 | 3678 | 2682 | 1947 | 1611 | 1817 | 2434 | 3625 | 2164 | 1411 | 839 | 485 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | S 16 | S 17 | SW 17 | S 16 | S 5 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | S 16 |
| kJ | 1 | 20 | 24 | 106 | 20 | 12 | 296 | 382 | 396 | 269 | 511 | 380 | 369 | 244 | 209 | 167 | 128 | 97 | 81 | 55 | 170 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 19 | S 14 | NE 10 | — | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 19 | S 24 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 11 | — | — | S 18 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 21 | 30 | 4 | 4 | — | 47 | 235 | 275 | 30 | 551 | 173 | — | — | — | — | — | 163 | — | — | 155 | 55 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 3 | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 59 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 41 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 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.
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