Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with 2,673 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s 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 (Aug 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, taking a look at the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a promising run starting at Blacks Reef. This is a very consistent reef break, great for beginners, and it faces south. The water temp is a cool 54°F, which is a bit colder than average for this time of year, so you’ll want a thicker wetsuit.
The first swell shows up Wednesday afternoon, August 26th, with a clean 3ft south swell, a long 16-second period, and light cross-offshore winds. The wave energy is moderate at 561, so it’s a nice, easy start. Thursday morning, the 27th, bumps up to 5ft from the south with a very long 18-second period, but the onshore wind makes it tricky. The afternoon cleans up nicely with a 7ft south swell and cross-offshore breeze, making it a much better option.
The standout is Friday morning, August 28th. We’ve got a clean 5ft south swell, a 13-second period, and beautiful offshore winds from the NNE. The energy is moderate at 802, and it’s shaping up to be a top-tier session. That’s the one to circle.
Conditions stay decent through Saturday, but the swell fades. Sunday, the 30th, gets messy with onshore winds and dropping swell, leading into a few flat days.
Then Monday, August 31st, brings a monster. The afternoon shows a 12ft south swell, a 14-second period, and glassy conditions. The energy is massive at 4081, but it’s just too big for this break. Unless you’re an expert, it’s a good day to watch from the beach.
Tuesday, September 1st, settles to a clean 7ft south swell with light offshore winds in the afternoon. That’s a great session for experienced surfers. After that, the swell slowly drops and the window gets choppy. We get a few more clean days, like Friday, September 4th, with a 4ft south swell and offshore winds, but nothing lights up the board.
The second week is mostly quiet. A glassy 2ft south swell on Sunday, September 6th, is small but clean. There’s a clean 2ft south swell on Monday the 7th, but the wind picks up. After that, it goes flat. From the 8th through the 10th, it’s tiny or flat with poor wind. The 10th has a couple of small, surfable 2ft and 2ft swells, but it’s a real struggle to find anything rideable. A long, dry spell to finish the forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 14 | SSW 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 443 | 1759 | 2299 | 1750 | 792 | 543 | 350 | 216 | 160 | 116 | 79 | 52 | 148 | 1135 | 2037 | 1866 | 2453 | 1806 | 1170 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:33AM1.38m | 4:59PM1.50m | 5:22AM1.41m | 5:47PM1.53m | 6:11AM1.46m | 6:33PM1.57m | 6:58AM1.52m | 7:20PM1.62m | 7:44AM1.59m | 8:05PM1.66m | 8:29AM1.65m | 8:52PM1.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:29PM0.39m | 10:48AM0.36m | 11:15PM0.34m | 11:32AM0.32m | 00:03AM0.30m | 12:17PM0.28m | 00:49AM0.26m | 1:02PM0.25m | 1:35AM0.24m | 1:48PM0.24m | 2:20AM0.23m | 2:37PM0.24m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 5 | NE 8 | S 14 | SSW 10 | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 443 | 1759 | 2299 | 1750 | 792 | 543 | 350 | 216 | 160 | 116 | 28 | 31 | 148 | 627 | 2037 | 1220 | 2453 | 1806 | 1170 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 | NE 5 | SE 14 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | NE 7 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 9 | S 17 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 17 |
| kJ | 23 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 41 | 7 | 27 | 17 | 57 | 79 | 52 | 49 | 572 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 288 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SE 13 | ESE 11 | E 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | NE 9 | SE 13 | S 16 | S 15 | NE 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 10 | NE 9 | SE 11 | E 11 | — | — | NE 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 28 | 5 | 17 | 23 | 6 | 19 | 21 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 23 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 2 | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | WSW 2 | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 4 | SSW 10 | — | SSW 12 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 23 | 30 | 73 | 38 | 47 | 43 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 1135 | — | 1866 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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