Blacks Reef surf break

Blacks Reef surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Tuesday 12 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
15.8° 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 Tuesday (May 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 16s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) 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 0.6m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (May 19) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 12th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 12th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
1
0
0
2
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
S
13
1.6
S
13
1.9
S
16
2.5
S
15
3
S
14
3
S
13
3
SSW
13
2.5
S
12
2
S
10
1.6
S
9
1
S
15
1.8
S
14
1.6
S
13
1.6
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.2
S
12
1.2
S
11
1
S
10
1
SSE
10
0.8
S
9
0.8
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1228
800
1787
2760
3520
3398
3145
1747
725
408
452
1210
822
735
535
380
323
194
193
97
84
Wind (km/h)
10
N
5
NW
10
SW
25
SSW
30
SSW
25
S
20
SSW
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SW
15
SSW
15
SW
15
SSW
15
SSW
10
SSW
10
SSW
10
SSW
5
SW
5
S
10
SE
0
ESE
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
glassy
glassy
cross
glassy
High Tide
1:23PM1.44m
1:51AM1.54m
2:16PM1.51m
2:42AM1.60m
3:10PM1.60m
3:35AM1.68m
4:03PM1.71m
4:30AM1.74m
4:58PM1.82m
5:26AM1.80m
5:54PM1.91m
6:24AM1.83m
6:51PM1.97m
Low Tide
7:33PM0.37m
8:04AM0.31m
8:29PM0.34m
8:55AM0.29m
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
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
7:05
7:05
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:06
5:05
5:04
5:02
5:01
2
4
2
3
1
1
1
Temp °C
16
17
13
13
12
13
13
13
12
12
12
11
12
12
11
12
13
13
13
13
13
14
16
12
8
6
9
8
8
8
9
9
8
9
9
8
9
11
11
12
11
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
S
13
1.6
S
13
1.9
S
16
0.6
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.4
E
9
2.5
S
13
0.4
E
9
0.4
E
9
1.6
S
9
1.4
S
9
1.8
S
14
1.6
S
13
1.6
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.2
S
12
1.2
S
11
1
S
10
1
SSE
10
0.9
SE
6
0.8
S
8
Energy kJ
1228
800
1787
61
42
27
2011
26
26
408
286
1210
822
735
535
380
323
194
193
44
84
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.1
S
26
0.3
SSW
24
0.5
E
9
0.6
S
18
0.1
SE
13
0.4
SSW
14
1
S
15
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.4
E
9
0.8
S
9
0.6
E
5
Energy kJ
96
94
89
13
109
44
221
7
69
452
57
57
56
51
49
31
30
28
97
18
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ESE
13
0.3
E
12
0.1
S
18
0.1
SE
16
0.1
SE
16
0.4
E
9
0.1
NE
9
0.4
E
9
0.4
E
10
0.5
S
16
0.4
S
16
0.1
S
20
0.1
SW
18
0.3
S
15
0.2
S
17
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
Energy kJ
32
28
6
10
10
26
3
28
30
122
82
8
13
39
22
15
16
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
S
15
3
S
14
3
S
13
3
SSW
13
2.5
S
12
2
S
10
1.1
SE
6
Energy kJ
2760
3520
3398
3145
1747
725
69
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
1
4
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
Distance (km)
0
0
3
73
79
82
91
88
12
9
9
9
9
9
3
3
3
0
0
6
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
1
3
2
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
8
9
4
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
8
9
8
9
4
8
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
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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