Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Issued: 11 am 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
13.0° C

1.5°C colder than average for this time of year

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 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, E swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, S swell with 4,345 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period with E 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 (Jul 04) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) 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 2.2m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 4th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 4th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sat 11th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what we've got on the cards.

Alright, we're looking at a bit of a mixed bag here. Things kick off this Saturday, the 4th of July, with some fun waves at Blacks Reef. It's a reef break that's exposed to the south swell, and the water's sitting at about 55°, which is a touch colder than what we'd normally expect for this time of year.

This Saturday morning, we've got a clean 5ft swell rolling in from the east with a 12-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The wave energy is moderate at 608. It's a solid setup for a beginner-friendly wave. The afternoon cleans up even more with a true offshore wind from the NNE, holding up a 5ft east swell.

Sunday the 5th looks good too. The morning still has a clean 4ft wave with a moderate offshore breeze, and it stays glassy and clean into the afternoon as the wind drops. Easy paddling and fun waves for everyone.

Now, here's the standout. Tuesday the 7th of July is looking like the pick of the first week. We get a gorgeous 6ft east swell, a 10-second period, and it's glassy – dead flat wind – with very good surf conditions. The combined wave energy is sitting at a solid 766. That's the one to circle on the calendar. Expect it to be clean, consistent, and it is often crowded here, so get in early.

Things get a bit messy from Wednesday the 8th. The swell builds but the wind swings onshore, making it choppy and lumpy. There's a big spike in energy by the 10th and 11th, with a 13ft south swell, but it's accompanied by strong onshore winds and rain. That's expert-only territory and even then, it's not going to be pretty. That kind of wind and size makes it more interesting for the kite crew than for paddle surfing.

After that rough patch, the surf settles down again. The good news is that by Tuesday the 14th of July, we're back to glassy conditions with a clean 5ft swell. Then Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th both serve up very good conditions with clean, offshore winds and a long-period 4ft to 4ft south swell, with wave energy in the moderate to strong range. That Thursday, with a 15-second period, is a long-period groundswell, which at a reef break like this will produce some nice, lined-up waves. That's another true standout, but it's 12 days out, so treat it as a promising long-range call. It won't be for the beginners, but for anyone who knows their way around a reef at low tide, it's worth the wait.

After that, the energy drops right off. By the 18th and 19th of July, we're into very small, weak surf with poor conditions. There's a solid gap of a few days with nothing recommended to end the run.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 48mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the SSE by Thu night).

Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
0
2
2
1
0
0
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
12
1.4
E
11
0.1
S
12
1.1
E
10
1
E
10
1
E
10
0.1
S
22
0.2
S
20
1.7
E
9
1.8
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.9
ESE
10
2
ESE
11
1.9
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
2.5
SSE
7
4
SSE
9
4.5
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
604
467
3
230
200
188
18
31
497
612
614
671
903
761
561
482
942
452
708
2301
4231
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
15
NNE
20
NNE
25
NNE
10
N
10
N
20
NE
25
NE
5
NNE
5
NNE
5
E
10
W
10
WSW
15
SW
10
WSW
20
SSE
15
S
25
S
35
S
40
S
35
S
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
9:00PM1.57m
9:24AM1.48m
9:44PM1.57m
10:05AM1.50m
10:30PM1.58m
10:48AM1.53m
11:16PM1.60m
11:34AM1.57m
00:04AM1.63m
12:26PM1.63m
00:54AM1.67m
1:22PM1.70m
1:49AM1.70m
Low Tide
2:42PM0.37m
3:19AM0.32m
3:27PM0.35m
4:02AM0.31m
4:14PM0.35m
4:46AM0.31m
5:01PM0.35m
5:32AM0.31m
5:49PM0.35m
6:18AM0.31m
6:42PM0.36m
7:07AM0.30m
7:39PM0.34m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:58
4:59
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:00
 mm
1
2
5
1
6
22
6
13
5
6
5
Temp °C
13
15
12
15
16
11
12
13
13
13
13
10
11
12
11
12
12
13
12
12
12
Feels °C
9
11
9
12
14
9
8
8
8
11
12
8
9
9
8
8
9
10
5
4
4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
12
1.4
E
11
0.1
S
12
1.1
E
10
1
E
10
1.2
ENE
7
0.1
S
14
0.2
S
20
1.7
E
9
1.8
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.9
ESE
10
2
ESE
11
1.9
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.6
ESE
10
1.5
E
10
0.5
SSW
17
Energy kJ
604
467
3
230
200
123
4
31
497
612
614
671
903
761
561
482
624
452
432
170
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
17
1
E
10
0.1
S
22
0.1
S
13
0.4
SSW
11
0.5
SSW
10
0.5
S
10
0.6
S
10
0.6
S
9
0.5
S
8
0.7
S
8
0.9
SSW
8
1.1
S
7
0.3
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
18
Energy kJ
4
3
3
3
6
188
9
3
37
57
51
70
56
35
58
96
120
40
104
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
11
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
SW
21
0.4
S
18
0.4
SSW
17
0.4
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
16
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
10
0.3
S
16
0.4
SSW
16
0.2
S
20
0.2
SSW
13
Energy kJ
2
5
5
18
103
97
86
80
68
60
33
48
85
30
16
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NE
4
1.6
ENE
11
1.3
NE
6
1.1
NE
6
1.7
NE
7
1.9
ENE
8
2
ENE
9
2.2
NE
9
0.4
SW
3
1.2
S
8
2.2
ESE
10
1.4
S
6
2.5
SSE
7
4
SSE
9
4.5
S
10
Energy kJ
29
531
136
94
261
528
600
730
3
163
942
166
708
2301
4231
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
2
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
4
3
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
0
33
0
0
0
46
46
0
0
0
3
3
3
3
41
9
99
157
157
162
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
2
4
5
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
5
5
9
7
7
5
8
7
5
6
9
8
9
8
5
5
5
4
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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