Blacks Reef surf break

Blacks Reef surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 14 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Blacks Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
15.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 (May 18) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 2.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 15) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 18th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 9s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 18th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 9s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 15th May)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thu
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
S
10
1.6
S
9
2
S
15
1.8
S
14
1.5
S
13
1.7
S
12
1.6
S
12
1.6
S
11
1.6
SSE
11
1.5
SSE
10
1.2
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
9
1.2
SSE
9
0.9
S
10
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
9
0.6
S
8
0.5
S
8
0.4
SSE
7
0.2
S
8
0.3
SSE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
650
417
1865
1214
715
833
687
639
611
416
276
211
253
151
115
78
49
33
17
5
33
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
20
SW
15
SW
15
SW
20
SW
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
SW
10
SW
10
W
5
WSW
5
SSE
10
N
5
NNW
10
NE
10
NNW
5
NW
5
ESE
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
High Tide
3:35AM1.68m
4:03PM1.71m
4:30AM1.74m
4:58PM1.82m
5:26AM1.80m
5:54PM1.91m
6:24AM1.83m
6:51PM1.97m
7:22AM1.84m
7:47PM1.99m
8:20AM1.83m
8:44PM1.97m
9:18AM1.80m
Low Tide
9:25PM0.31m
9:48AM0.27m
10:20PM0.27m
10:45AM0.24m
11:16PM0.22m
11:41AM0.21m
00:13AM0.18m
12:37PM0.16m
1:11AM0.14m
1:32PM0.13m
2:10AM0.10m
2:28PM0.09m
3:09AM0.08m
3:26PM0.08m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:05
7:05
7:07
7:07
7:07
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:05
5:04
5:02
5:01
5:01
5:00
5:00
4
2
Temp °C
12
11
12
11
11
12
12
13
13
13
12
12
12
13
13
12
14
15
12
14
14
8
8
9
8
7
8
8
10
9
10
9
10
11
12
12
11
13
12
10
13
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
E
9
0.8
S
17
2
S
15
1.8
S
14
1.5
S
13
0.6
S
15
0.5
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
10
1.5
SSE
10
1.2
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
9
1.2
SSE
9
0.9
S
10
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
9
0.6
S
8
0.5
S
8
0.6
ENE
5
0.4
NE
6
0.4
NE
6
Energy kJ
25
380
1865
1214
715
167
53
32
31
416
276
211
253
151
115
78
49
33
16
8
9
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
E
9
0.4
E
10
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.5
ENE
10
0.1
S
23
0.3
S
16
0.5
S
17
0.4
S
15
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
10
0.6
ESE
5
0.4
E
5
0.4
E
5
0.4
ENE
5
0.2
E
8
0.4
SSE
7
0.2
SSE
6
0.3
SSE
13
Energy kJ
28
28
30
56
57
56
62
11
48
143
71
15
18
20
8
8
9
6
17
4
33
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
E
10
0.1
SE
12
0.4
S
16
0.1
S
23
0.1
S
20
0.1
SW
18
0.2
S
21
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
9
0.3
S
14
0.1
SE
14
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.2
E
9
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
S
8
0.2
SSW
6
Energy kJ
48
6
84
10
8
12
35
30
28
36
8
17
16
15
6
18
17
5
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
S
10
1.6
S
9
0.9
S
4
1.7
S
12
1.6
S
12
1.6
S
11
1.6
SSE
11
1
ESE
5
0.4
ENE
5
0.2
NNW
2
Energy kJ
650
417
33
833
687
639
611
61
10
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
41
14
12
9
9
157
14
79
157
41
3
3
3
3
6
0
0
0
10
82
156
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
1
1
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
7
6
4
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
  • 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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