Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with 7,577 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. 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 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the next sixteen days for Blacks Reef in feet.
So, the outlook is a real rollercoaster. We've got a massive storm swell early on, then a stunning day of clean surf, then a long, flat patch. Monday the 3rd is a write-off with bumpy, onshore wind and a messy 6ft southerly swell. Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are total no-go zones – a solid, powerful south swell (12ft to 16ft) gets hammered by strong onshore winds. The combined swell energy is massive, hitting 6805 (moderate to strong wave energy) on Wednesday morning, but it's a washing machine. That's expert-only, and even then, it's grim. Thursday the 6th is still rough and choppy. The first few days are a total loss.
Now, here's the one to circle. Friday the 7th is the standout. The morning is glassy, with a light NNW breeze, and a clean 4ft south groundswell with a very long period of 17 seconds. The energy is still solid at 1540 (moderate to strong wave energy), and the water's a bit colder than average for this time of year at 55°. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, with that long period swell lining up perfectly on this exposed reef. The afternoon stays clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, and the swell pushes up to 7ft. Saturday the 8th is still decent, with clean 5ft to 6ft south swell, but it's smaller and the wind is a cross-offshore breeze, not as perfect as Friday. Crowds are often here, so expect company on those days.
From Sunday the 9th, the swell drops off fast. By Monday the 10th, we're into marginal, small waves. There's a brief window on Wednesday the 12th with a fresh offshore wind and a 8ft easterly windswell, but the period is a short 7 seconds, making for a lumpy, bumpy wave. Not a patch on the Friday session.
Then from the 14th of August onward, it's a long, flat grind. We're looking at a solid six or seven days of basically nothing – tiny 0.3ft to 2ft swell with no energy. The combined energy drops to 5 or 12 (weak wave energy). It's a real lull, and this is pretty normal for the area when the swell shuts off. You might get a waist-high ripple on the 18th, but it's nothing to get excited about. Stick to Friday the 7th – that's the one.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | SSE 11 | S 12 | S 14 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 627 | 303 | 657 | 4467 | 3434 | 6534 | 6805 | 4829 | 2976 | 1701 | 1185 | 757 | 841 | 1928 | 1796 | 883 | 636 | 410 | 221 | 277 | 207 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:19PM1.63m | 9:39AM1.59m | 10:04PM1.65m | 10:22AM1.63m | 10:51PM1.66m | 11:10AM1.67m | 11:41PM1.67m | 12:04PM1.70m | 00:33AM1.67m | 1:01PM1.74m | 1:29AM1.67m | 2:00PM1.77m | 2:29AM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:02PM0.29m | 3:34AM0.27m | 3:49PM0.29m | 4:19AM0.27m | 4:38PM0.30m | 5:05AM0.28m | 5:29PM0.31m | 5:54AM0.28m | 6:23PM0.31m | 6:46AM0.27m | 7:22PM0.29m | 7:41AM0.25m | 8:22PM0.24m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 7 | -1 | -4 | -4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 11 | S 12 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — | SE 16 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 |
| kJ | 627 | 303 | 657 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 10 | 1701 | 1185 | 757 | 598 | 1928 | 1796 | 883 | 636 | 410 | 221 | 208 | 207 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 22 | S 13 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 19 | S 17 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | NE 14 | E 13 | S 15 | SSE 13 | NE 6 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 36 | 165 | 103 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 65 | 7 | 841 | 386 | 45 | 7 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 133 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | SSW 10 | NE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 18 | NE 17 | E 16 | SE 13 | SE 12 | E 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NNE 7 | E 12 | NE 12 | S 14 |
| kJ | 17 | 98 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | 5 | 101 | 55 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | WNW 2 | S 14 | S 10 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | N 3 | W 3 | SSW 6 | S 8 | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | 1 | 4467 | 3434 | 6534 | 6805 | 4829 | 2976 | 1510 | 867 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 1 | 123 | 277 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 79 | 157 | 169 | 265 | 280 | 75 | 44 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 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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