
Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with 4,487 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with SE 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 (Sep 10) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down the surf forecast for the next couple of weeks. We've got one main reef on the menu, and it’s a tale of two weeks: a slow, poor start, followed by a legitimate run of solid, clean surf. Don't get too excited about the first few days, though.
The outlook opens with a real dud. Thursday the 10th has a weak 0.8m SE swell and the energy is just pathetic (89). Friday and Saturday are in the same boat—tiny surf, poor conditions. You're looking at a solid four-day gap here with nothing worth paddling out for. It's a good time to sort out your fins and wax.
Things finally start to move on Sunday the 13th. The swell builds throughout the day, hitting 2.5m in the morning and pushing to a solid 3.0m by the afternoon. The energy jumps into the thousands, showing there's real power in the water. But, and it's a big but, the winds are onshore and messy. It's going to be a big, chaotic, blown-out mess. This is strictly expert territory given the size, but the conditions are going to make it a grindy, difficult session.
Then, we get our first real taste of what this place can do. Monday the 14th is the clear winner of the first week. The wind swings offshore in the morning (NNE at 10 km/h), and the swell drops to a clean 1.9m with a better 11-second period. This is the combo we're chasing. The energy is moderate at 802, but the clean, lined-up faces will make it feel so much better. Expect very good surf conditions. The afternoon holds up too, with a cross-offshore breeze and 1.7m of swell. This is your day to get amongst it.
After Monday, it flatlines again. Tuesday and Wednesday are small and forgettable. Get those jobs done around the house, because the second week is where it's at.
The ocean properly wakes up on Sunday the 20th. The afternoon looks excellent, with a solid 2.0m SSW swell and a clean, light cross-offshore wind. The energy is pumping at 1612. That's the standout of the whole run. It’s over the 1.5m mark, so it’ll be a bit much for beginners, but for the rest of you, this is going to be a proper session.
Monday the 21st keeps the good times rolling with 1.7m of clean, cross-off swell. It's a great follow-up.
Then we get the big one. Tuesday the 22nd. The morning is looking absolutely glassy with a powerful 2.4m SSW swell (1672 energy). The afternoon gets even bigger, hitting 3.0m. This is the other top-tier window. We're in heavy, expert-only surf. That SSW energy should wrap nicely into this reef, but with that size, it's going to be demanding. Get out before the winds get on it.
Wednesday the 23rd has some size early at 2.5m with clean winds, but it deteriorates in the afternoon. Get out early if you're keen.
And after that, we're done. Thursday and Friday the 24th and 25th fade back into small, poor conditions. The run is over.
So, to sum it up: skip the first week until Monday the 14th. That's your first good one. Then, circle Sunday the 20th through to Tuesday the 22nd on the calendar. That Sunday afternoon and all of Tuesday are looking absolutely firing. Tuesday is for the big dogs only.
One thing to note on the water: when you get in on the 14th, the water temp is 13°, which is about a degree colder than average for this time of year. Don't forget the booties, it's going to be nippy.
This is Rusty, signing off. See you in the water.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 16 | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | SSW 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
67 | 67 | 80 | 182 | 235 | 222 | 290 | 901 | 3935 | 3081 | 3324 | 1308 | 798 | 833 | 411 | 196 | 146 | 122 | 73 | 84 | 22 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:37PM1.75m | 5:08AM1.63m | 5:33PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.67m | 6:25PM1.75m | 6:56AM1.71m | 7:15PM1.74m | 7:45AM1.75m | 8:04PM1.73m | 8:30AM1.77m | 8:52PM1.71m | 9:14AM1.76m | 9:39PM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:25AM0.11m | 10:59PM0.13m | 11:19AM0.11m | 11:53PM0.14m | 12:11PM0.13m | 00:45AM0.17m | 1:02PM0.18m | 1:33AM0.22m | 1:52PM0.24m | 2:19AM0.27m | 2:43PM0.29m | 3:05AM0.33m | 3:31PM0.34m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | S 19 | S 8 | S 7 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | S 9 |
67 | 67 | 44 | 182 | 145 | 48 | 290 | 901 | 3935 | 3081 | 1735 | 1308 | 798 | 833 | 411 | 196 | 146 | 122 | 73 | 84 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 16 | SE 7 | S 18 | S 18 | ENE 8 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 9 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 11 | NE 4 | S 16 | S 15 | — | SSW 13 | E 12 | S 13 |
22 | 21 | 80 | 26 | 235 | 222 | 14 | 33 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 45 | 41 | — | 35 | 11 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | NE 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 8 | E 15 | NE 15 | E 10 | NE 5 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 10 | E 12 |
6 | 8 | 6 | 56 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 43 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | S 8 | SSW 6 | — | NE 2 | SW 4 | S 6 | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | ENE 3 | WNW 2 | WNW 2 | — | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | SSW 4 |
3 | — | 5 | 126 | — | 1 | 22 | 86 | — | — | 3324 | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | 6 | 22 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 0 | 41 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 99 | 157 | 0 | 3 | 188 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 130 |
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.










