Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with 1,864 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period. 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 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s run down what’s cooking at Blacks Reef. We’ve got some solid swell on the way, but you’ll need to time your paddle.
Starting Wednesday, September 2nd. Water temp is 55°, running a bit colder than average, so suit up. A clean 8ft south swell with a long 17-second period is hitting. The combined energy is a very strong 4137. This is big, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. Light cross-off wind from the ENE keeps it looking good.
The standout early is Thursday morning, September 3rd. Swell drops to a still-hefty 6ft from the south, 13 seconds. A light NW cross-off breeze makes it clean. Energy is a strong 1077. Excellent for the experienced crew.
Thursday afternoon goes glassy with a NNW breeze and the swell settles to 5ft. Perfect for a long session on the reef.
Then we hit a slow patch. From Friday, September 4th through Tuesday, September 8th, the swell is small—mostly under 3ft—with messy winds. Not worth paddling out. There’s a raw 8ft spike on Monday afternoon, September 7th, but it’s short-period windswell with onshore wind—just a mess.
Things pick up Wednesday, September 9th. A clean 6ft south swell with light offshore north wind in the morning. Good shape for the confident ones.
Next real highlight is Sunday, September 13th. Clear, light cross-off breeze, and a 7ft south swell. Feels punchy, good for experienced surfers.
Later in the second week, on Thursday, September 17th, the swell is tiny at 2ft, but it’s a super long 16-second south groundswell with glassy conditions. Combined energy is a strong 406. For a reef break, those long lines can offer some sneaky fun rides.
Best of the bunch looks like Thursday the 3rd for the best combo of size and clean conditions. The 13th is a solid backup. Crowds are often here, so get out early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 11 | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4137 | 2155 | 1077 | 613 | 268 | 146 | 72 | 29 | 81 | 77 | 37 | 106 | 101 | 97 | 22 | 586 | 986 | 474 | 340 | 572 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross | on | on |
High Tide | 9:40PM1.69m | 9:59AM1.73m | 10:30PM1.68m | 10:50AM1.74m | 11:22PM1.67m | 11:46AM1.74m | 00:17AM1.65m | 12:46PM1.73m | 1:15AM1.63m | 1:45PM1.73m | 2:15AM1.61m | 2:43PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:28PM0.25m | 3:52AM0.23m | 4:20PM0.25m | 4:42AM0.24m | 5:13PM0.25m | 5:34AM0.23m | 6:09PM0.23m | 6:29AM0.21m | 7:08PM0.21m | 7:26AM0.19m | 8:07PM0.18m | 8:26AM0.16m | 9:05PM0.15m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 10 |
Feels °C | 13 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | NE 5 | SSW 10 | S 9 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 4137 | 2155 | 1077 | 613 | 268 | 146 | 72 | 29 | 81 | 77 | 25 | 106 | 40 | 89 | 13 | 1 | 986 | 474 | 340 | 7 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | S 15 | S 15 | S 8 | ENE 4 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 11 | E 9 | NE 9 | E 16 | NE 5 | E 15 |
| kJ | 13 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 17 | 37 | 2 | 101 | 97 | 22 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ENE 10 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | S 14 | S 18 | S 9 | SSW 10 | S 16 | NE 10 | — | E 10 | E 16 | NE 18 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 10 | 8 | 24 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 27 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 4 | SW 4 | NW 3 | — | — | NW 3 | NNE 2 | NE 7 | WNW 2 | SSW 7 | — | NNE 3 | — | SSW 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 6 | — | 2 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 211 | 1 | 586 | — | 4 | — | 572 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 33 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 114 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 9 |
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.
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