Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SE swell with 1,196 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m 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 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
Alright, this is Rusty.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – the start of this 16-day run is a bit of a letdown. From now through to the 14th of July, it's real quiet. Swell is small and the conditions are ordinary, nothing worth paddling out for. There's a gap of a few days with no real recommendations. The water's sitting at 56°, which is about a degree and a half cooler than average for this time of year, so you'll want a good spring suit.
Things start to perk up late on Sunday the 14th, but the first real standout window arrives Monday the 15th. We've got clean, glassy conditions right through the morning and into the afternoon with the wind going completely flat. The swell's tiny though, only 1ft from the ESE with a moderate 11-second period, so it's a longboard or foamie kind of day. The combined wave energy is weak, just 52. If you're hanging out for something with a bit more push, you'll have to wait.
Your best bet, the true standout across the whole outlook, is Sunday the 21st. Early morning, the wind goes glassy from the NNW at Blacks Reef and the swell is firing at 10ft from the East with a 12-second period. The combined energy is massive at 4126. That's expert territory; too big for anyone who's not solid. The afternoon holds similar size and conditions. This is a big, clean swell on a reef break, so the shape should be excellent, but it's not for the faint-hearted. Expect crowds here, as it's a spot that often draws a crew when it's on.
After that big pulse, the surf drops back but stays solid. The next highlight is Saturday the 27th. Morning sees clean conditions with 8ft swell from the South and a 9-second period. The combined energy is still strong at 3209. It's a step down in size from the 21st, but still a solid, clean wave for experienced surfers. The afternoon drops a bit to 6ft from the ESE with a longer 12-second period, and it stays clean – a fantastic way to wind down the outlook.
So to wrap it up: wait through the first quiet week. The 21st of July is your big, heavy day for experts only. If that's too much, the morning of the 27th is your call for a powerful but more manageable session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | SE 9 | S 10 | ESE 9 | S 12 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 12 | SE 15 | ESE 18 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 822 | 606 | 338 | 343 | 222 | 216 | 135 | 122 | 56 | 73 | 17 | 20 | 50 | 47 | 38 | 56 | 395 | 595 | 915 | 993 | 1196 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:19PM1.77m | 2:46AM1.73m | 3:16PM1.84m | 3:46AM1.75m | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:46AM1.78m | 5:14PM1.94m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:14PM1.96m | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:39PM0.30m | 8:58AM0.26m | 9:39PM0.25m | 10:00AM0.22m | 10:38PM0.19m | 11:01AM0.15m | 11:37PM0.13m | 11:59AM0.08m | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | |
 | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — |
mm | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | NE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 18 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
| kJ | 822 | 606 | 338 | 252 | 178 | 173 | 120 | 122 | 49 | 46 | 17 | 8 | 50 | 47 | 38 | 53 | 395 | 595 | 915 | 993 | 1196 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 | ESE 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ESE 9 | SE 15 | S 17 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 55 | 248 | 334 | 343 | 222 | 216 | 135 | 79 | 47 | 73 | 16 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 56 | 24 | 40 | 32 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 7 | S 7 | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | SSW 13 | E 15 | ESE 10 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 16 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | — |
| kJ | 48 | 51 | 32 | 57 | 31 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 56 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 23 | 21 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | — | SSW 6 | — | — | — | N 2 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 6 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 147 | — | 68 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 41 | 79 | 3 |
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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