Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.7° C
1.2° 

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 2 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 7,900 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. 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 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 3AM. 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 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 3rd Aug)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 7th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 5th Aug)18ft (5.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for Blacks Reef over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a rough start. Monday the 3rd is a bit of a mess – a 6ft S swell but it’s got a cross wind and the energy is pretty weak. The water is a bit colder than normal at 55°, so you’ll be feelin’ that if you’re out there. This one is for the die-hards only, if anyone.

Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are blown out. Onshore winds are howling, and the swell jumps up to 10ft and 16ft, but the wind is strong and the surf is just a washing machine. This is kite-surfing territory, not a paddler’s friend. The combined energy is off the charts Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, but it’s all for nothing with that wind.

We get a glimmer of hope on Thursday the 6th. The swell drops to 10ft in the morning and 8ft in the afternoon, but the wind is still onshore or cross-on, keeping it choppy. Not great, but maybe a sneaky one if you’re desperate.

Now, Friday the 7th is the standout of the first week. The morning is glassy with a 6ft S swell and clean conditions. The energy is solid. Then the afternoon gets even better – a 7ft S swell with a very long 16-second period, light offshore wind, and it’s clean. This is a proper groundswell. For a reef break like Blacks, that long period will give you some perfect, long walls. The water is still a bit cold for the time of year, but who cares when it’s glassy? Crowds are likely here, so get there early.

Saturday the 8th stays clean with a 6ft S swell in the morning, but the wind picks up a bit. Still a good session, but not as magical as Friday.

The following week is a mixed bag. Sunday the 9th through Thursday the 13th is mostly small, weak, or blown out. There’s a period from Sunday morning to Thursday afternoon where the swell is small (under 4ft) and the energy is low. The wind is messy, and the surf is just not worth the effort. There’s a few days there with no real recommendations.

Then, Monday the 17th is a beast, but for experts only. The swell is predicted to hit 13ft from the SSW with a 10-second period and light offshore winds. The energy is massive. This is a big, powerful swell. For a reef break, this is going to be heavy and dangerous. If you’re not a solid, experienced surfer, stay on the beach. The water temperature is missing from the data, but the conditions are clean.

Tuesday the 18th settles down a bit to 8ft S swell, still clean and light winds. That’s a much more manageable size for a good session, but it’s still a solid wave for confident surfers. Again, the energy is strong.

So, in a nutshell: Friday the 7th is your best bet for a clean, fun session with that long-period groundswell. Monday the 17th is the big-wave day for the brave, but it’s not for everyone. The rest of the time is either too small, too windy, or too big.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
3
4
4
3
3
2
1
1
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)
1.7
S
10
1.1
SSE
11
1.5
S
12
3
S
14
4
S
13
5
S
12
5
S
12
4
S
12
3
S
12
3
S
11
2.3
S
11
1.7
SSE
10
1.7
SSE
10
2
S
16
2.4
S
14
1.8
S
13
1.6
S
12
1.3
S
11
1
S
10
0.8
SSE
16
0.8
S
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
627
292
649
3972
5783
7000
6531
4593
2798
1998
1201
516
610
2038
2280
1021
722
410
221
329
229
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
10
SSW
25
W
35
SSW
40
SSW
40
SW
40
SSW
35
SSW
30
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
10
NW
5
NW
5
E
15
NW
20
NW
20
NW
5
W
10
W
15
SSW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:19PM1.63m
9:39AM1.59m
10:04PM1.65m
10:22AM1.63m
10:51PM1.66m
11:10AM1.67m
11:41PM1.67m
12:04PM1.70m
00:33AM1.67m
1:01PM1.74m
1:29AM1.67m
2:00PM1.77m
2:29AM1.68m
Low Tide
3:02PM0.29m
3:34AM0.27m
3:49PM0.29m
4:19AM0.27m
4:38PM0.30m
5:05AM0.28m
5:29PM0.31m
5:54AM0.28m
6:23PM0.31m
6:46AM0.27m
7:22PM0.29m
7:41AM0.25m
8:22PM0.24m
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
 mm
1
5
4
10
2
2
2
3
1
Temp °C
14
15
11
7
6
7
8
8
9
9
9
6
9
11
12
15
15
12
12
12
10
Feels °C
11
12
8
-1
-3
-3
-1
0
2
3
5
4
7
8
8
10
11
10
9
9
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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