Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 24 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.2° C
1.9° 

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 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, SSE swell with 2,173 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s 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 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 9PM. 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 25th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 10s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 29th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Mon 27th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it. We've got a bit of a wild ride ahead over the next couple of weeks. The long-range models are showing some serious potential, but we've gotta wade through some pretty ordinary conditions first.

The action starts at Blacks Reef on Friday the 24th of July, but it's a dud—tiny 1ft S swell with a weak 27 combined energy, crossed-off by a NNW wind. Not worth a paddle. Saturday the 25th sees a slight bump to 3ft from the E with a short 11-second period, but it's still nothing special.

The real story here is the waiting game. Sunday the 26th through Tuesday the 28th is a write-off. We get a spike in size—up to 10ft on Monday afternoon—but with onshore SW winds and a combined energy of 2185, it's a washing machine. Poor surf conditions all the way.

Then things finally turn. Wednesday the 29th of July is our first true standout. The morning brings a clean 6ft S groundswell (13-second period, 1035 combined energy) with glassy conditions. That's a long period, which means long waits between sets but proper, walled-up waves on this reef. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want a thick suit.

Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st keep the clean, cross-off winds going as the swell drops to 4ft and 3ft. Saturday the 1st of August is another beauty—glassy again with a 3ft ESE swell and a 13-second period, combined energy of 678. It's small but clean, and the crowd situation at Blacks Reef is often manageable, so it’s a nice window.

Now, the second week gets interesting but you've got to be patient. Sunday the 2nd of August through Tuesday the 4th is messy again with onshore winds and blown-out conditions. But hold on for Wednesday the 6th of August. That morning, we get glassy conditions with a solid 8ft ESE swell, 12-second period, and a massive combined energy of 2295. This is big, powerful stuff—over 8ft, so experts only. It's a groundswell with that 12-second period, so expect the reef to handle it well, but it'll be thick and heavy.

The run continues: Thursday the 7th and Friday the 8th of August also score glassy mornings with 8ft and 8ft ESE swells respectively. The combined energy is still high (1764 and 1474). These are the real standouts of the long-range window—powerful, clean, and offering some serious waves for those who know what they're doing. The crowds will likely be there on a run like this, so get out early.

Overall, the first week is a slow burn with a sweet spot around Wednesday the 29th. The second week from Wednesday the 6th of August onward has the real muscle, but it's a promise that's a bit further out, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SW by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
4
3
3
3
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
S
9
0.6
E
11
0.8
E
11
0.8
E
11
0.7
SE
16
0.9
SE
14
1.2
ESE
14
1.3
ESE
13
2.5
S
8
3
SSE
12
2.5
SSE
13
2.3
SE
13
2.1
SE
13
1.9
SE
13
1.7
SE
13
1.6
SE
13
1.4
SE
12
1.3
ESE
12
1.2
ESE
11
1.1
SE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
27
82
163
160
245
346
521
528
825
2137
2117
1751
1521
1288
996
778
587
456
347
278
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
20
N
5
NW
25
SW
30
SW
25
SW
25
SSW
30
SW
30
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSW
20
SSW
10
WNW
5
N
10
ENE
10
NNW
10
NNW
15
NW
20
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:03AM1.55m
2:36PM1.59m
2:51AM1.51m
3:22PM1.58m
3:37AM1.48m
4:08PM1.56m
4:23AM1.45m
4:53PM1.55m
5:09AM1.43m
5:37PM1.55m
5:56AM1.42m
6:22PM1.55m
Low Tide
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
11:24AM0.41m
11:53PM0.41m
12:05PM0.37m
00:38AM0.36m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
 mm
3
6
3
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
Temp °C
16
14
12
11
10
9
9
10
9
9
10
9
10
9
11
13
10
13
14
13
Feels °C
12
11
10
6
3
4
2
2
2
2
5
5
6
7
9
10
7
8
10
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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