
Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, S swell with 4,665 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the menu for the coming days.
We’ve got a solid run of clean surf kicking off this Wednesday morning, July 22nd, at Blacks Reef. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want that extra rubber. Wednesday morning is the real standout to start: a clean 4ft S swell rolling in with a classic 12-second period, and the wind is glassy from the WNW. That’s proper conditions – the ocean’s putting on a show with moderate wave energy (529). Expect very good surf. The afternoon holds up nicely too, with the swell easing a touch to 4ft but still glassy, just a slight shift in wind to ESE.
Thursday morning, July 23rd, is still clean and fun. The swell drops to 3ft from the S, period still 12 seconds, and the wind turns offshore from the N. It’s not as punchy, but it’s tidy. By afternoon, the swell fades to 2ft, and while the wind stays offshore from the NE, it’s getting pretty small – surfable but ordinary.
Friday, July 24th, things get quiet. Swell is down to 1ft, and the wind goes cross-offshore from the NNW, but the energy is weak (40). It’s a day to leave the board in the car.
Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th, are a write-off for clean surfing. The swell picks up a bit, but the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, and the chop takes over. Saturday afternoon sees a 3ft ESE swell with 30 km/h onshore wind – not for us. Sunday morning has a bigger 6ft S swell but with onshore wind and short 8-second period, it’s messy and marginal.
The following week, from Monday July 27th through to the start of August, is dominated by big, strong, but very windy swells. Swell heights climb from 8ft to a massive 20ft, with strong onshore winds from the SW. The wave energy is huge (up to 9440), but the conditions are poor for paddling. This is more of a kite surfers’ setup than a clean wave for a surfboard.
Then, we get a real turnaround. Wednesday, July 29th, is the standout of the whole forecast. The morning delivers an 8ft SE swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore from the NNW. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers, with strong wave energy (2443). The afternoon is similar, with a 8ft ESE swell and cross-off wind. This is the one to circle on the calendar.
After that, the swell drops but stays clean. Thursday, July 30th, is still worth a look with a 6ft ESE swell and cross-off wind, though the energy is moderate. Friday, July 31st, and Saturday, August 1st, are back to onshore wind and poor conditions.
The second week shows another promising window. Wednesday, August 5th, is a beauty: a 6ft ESE swell with 11-second period, cross-off wind from the NNW, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The energy is moderate (1093). Thursday, August 6th, follows up with a clean 5ft S swell and cross-off wind – very good surf.
The best on offer is undeniably Wednesday, July 29th, with the 8ft SE swell, long period, and clean cross-off wind. That’s the one to get excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | E 12 | E 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | S 8 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | SE 14 | SE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
501 | 342 | 326 | 180 | 75 | 34 | 30 | 26 | 71 | 157 | 202 | 675 | 448 | 493 | 561 | 836 | 1437 | 4665 | 2269 | 2037 | 2098 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:59AM1.65m | 00:24AM1.62m | 12:54PM1.62m | 1:14AM1.58m | 1:46PM1.61m | 2:03AM1.55m | 2:36PM1.59m | 2:51AM1.51m | 3:22PM1.58m | 3:37AM1.48m | 4:08PM1.56m | 4:23AM1.45m | 4:53PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:15PM0.36m | 6:39AM0.36m | 7:08PM0.42m | 7:27AM0.42m | 8:00PM0.47m | 8:15AM0.47m | 8:50PM0.50m | 9:04AM0.48m | 9:37PM0.50m | 9:53AM0.48m | 10:23PM0.49m | 10:40AM0.45m | 11:08PM0.46m | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | E 12 | E 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 8 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SE 14 | ESE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 |
501 | 342 | 326 | 180 | 75 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 71 | 157 | 202 | 158 | 448 | 424 | 561 | 784 | 1196 | 1174 | 1836 | 2037 | 2098 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | NE 7 | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 14 | E 12 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 |
28 | 29 | 34 | 30 | 37 | 34 | 30 | 26 | 14 | 29 | 106 | 201 | 301 | 171 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | 440 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 12 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 18 | NE 6 | SSW 16 | E 11 | SSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 10 |
— | — | — | 3 | 18 | 22 | 10 | 20 | 5 | 32 | 5 | 53 | 83 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | — | NE 5 | NW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 8 | — | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | — |
— | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 80 | 8 | 19 | 675 | — | 493 | 548 | 836 | 1437 | 4665 | 2269 | 1520 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 91 | 62 | 3 | 14 | 73 | 62 | 73 | 82 | 82 | 9 | 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.










