
Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 23s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 20s period, S swell with 3,536 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period with ESE 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 (Jul 16) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 18s. 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 2.1m 20s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 23s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, lookin’ at what we’ve got cookin’ for the next couple of weeks here at Blacks Reef.
Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. Thursday the 16th is just a tease with tiny, weak energy (225) and messy cross-shore wind. The swell is barely there – 2ft from the ESE at a long 15 seconds, but it’s not doing anything for us. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
The real action kicks off Friday morning, the 17th of July. That’s the standout of the whole run. We’ve got a solid 5ft groundswell from the SE, with a long 16-second period. The energy is powerful (1397), and the wind is glassy, dead calm. That’s going to be super clean. This is a reef break, so that long-period swell will wrap in beautifully. It’s a bit over 5ft, so it’s not for total beginners, but experienced surfers are going to have a ball. Just keep in mind it can get a crowd here, so you’ll want to be early.
Saturday the 18th keeps the good times rolling. Another morning of clean, offshore wind (NW) with 5ft from the SE. The energy is still strong (1332). The afternoon goes glassy with 5ft, which is gorgeous. Perfect for a long session.
Sunday the 19th pushes into a bigger, more powerful 7ft S swell (energy 2947) with an 18-second period. That’s a serious groundswell. The morning wind is clean, but the afternoon gets a bit cross-on. This is expert territory now – over 8ft is expert-only, but 7ft with that period is not for the faint of heart. The reef handles it, but it’ll be heavy.
Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st both have excellent, glassy conditions. Monday has 6ft S swell, Tuesday has 6ft S swell. Both are clean as a whistle. These are the days to be in the water if you want power and perfection.
Wednesday the 22nd is still solid, with 6ft in the morning and clean cross-off wind, then a glassy 5ft in the afternoon. A great way to cap off the first week.
After that, from Thursday the 23rd, it drops off. The swell fades, the energy drops (314), and conditions get ordinary. We go through a few days of small, weak surf, and by the 28th of July it’s poor with onshore wind and chop. Not worth paddling out.
There’s a little flicker of life on Monday the 27th, with a glassy 2ft, long-period S swell (320 energy), but it’s tiny. Then the wind and rain move in again.
Bottom line: The best waves are without a doubt Friday the 17th through to Wednesday the 22nd of July. The absolute standout is Friday morning for the glassy conditions and that clean 5ft SE groundswell. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
96 | 196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1493 | 1262 | 899 | 776 | 3536 | 2567 | 1903 | 1107 | 1297 | 1246 | 2224 | 1980 | 1652 | 2141 | 1147 | 633 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | on | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | 9:50PM1.81m | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | 11:07AM1.68m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:59AM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | 4:12AM0.14m | 4:30PM0.21m | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:23PM0.29m | 5:51AM0.28m | ||||||||
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | |
— | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 20 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 |
96 | 196 | 516 | 976 | 1333 | 1493 | 1262 | 899 | 776 | 3536 | 2567 | 1903 | 1107 | 1297 | 1246 | 2224 | 1980 | 1652 | 2141 | 1147 | 633 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 17 | SW 17 | S 16 | S 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | E 5 | E 5 | SE 11 |
20 | 24 | 47 | 20 | 17 | 145 | 313 | 403 | 279 | 577 | 380 | 369 | 244 | 240 | 167 | 130 | 81 | 59 | 25 | 7 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 14 | NE 10 | — | SSW 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 19 | S 24 | SSW 10 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | ESE 11 | — | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 4 |
30 | 4 | 4 | — | 47 | 163 | 215 | 30 | 710 | 177 | — | — | 67 | — | — | 163 | — | — | 41 | 29 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 2 | NW 3 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | — | — |
— | 1 | 2 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 42 | 60 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











