Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 15 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.5°C
1.3° 

Blacks Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Blacks Reef surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with 2,904 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 16th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 9s
Best Surf 9AM (Mon 21st Sep)8ft (2.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 21st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, listen up. We’re looking at a real mixed forecast for Blacks Reef over the next couple of weeks. The first bunch of days are just average – small, messy waves and wind that’s not helping. But don’t get bummed out. There’s one session that’s a proper standout you’ll want to circle on the calendar: Monday the 21st. Before that, we gotta pay our dues.

Tuesday 15th afternoon is your first chance to paddle out, but it’s more of a warm-up. You got a clean 4ft south swell at 10 seconds, with a cross-off breeze. The combined energy is moderate (354). It’s not firing. Water temp is 55°, which is a good 2° colder than average for this time – bring the thick rubber.

Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th drop down to around 3ft – 3ft. Winds are okay, mostly cross-off, but the waves are just too small to get excited about. The energy is weak (155-178 feet). Surfable but very ordinary.

Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th see a little more energy (411 and 422 feet), but the wind turns cross-on and the period drops to 6-7 seconds. That’s choppy, short-period junk. Not worth your time.

Sunday the 20th gets messy. Morning has a fresh 22 mph cross-on wind ruining a 4ft south swell. By the afternoon, we’re looking at 8ft of onshore slop with a period of 8 seconds – that’s a big, ugly mess. The energy is strong (1048 feet), but it’s blown out.

Now for the gold. Monday the 21st of September is the real deal. The morning session is your standout window. We’re talking a solid 8ft south swell with a nice 12-second period – that’s groundswell. The combined energy is massive (2275 feet). But the real story is the wind: glassy conditions, dead calm, offshore from the WNW at just 3 mph. That’s perfection. This swell is for experienced surfers only (over 8ft), and because it’s long-period south swell at a reef, it’ll be stacking up clean and powerful. Crowds are *often* an issue here, so get in before dawn.

The afternoon of the 21st is still good with a 7ft swell and a clean cross-off breeze, but the morning is the winner.

Tuesday the 22nd morning drops to 3ft but keeps that glassy wind – a nice little clean-up session.

From Wednesday the 23rd through the 26th, we get another sloppy run. Strong onshore winds and a huge, stormy 12ft swell on Wednesday afternoon is just dangerous. Stay out.

Sunday the 27th of September morning offers a little hope – a clean 3ft south swell with a light offshore N wind at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (243 feet), so it’s a fun little window for the crew on logs.

Towards the tail end, Tuesday the 29th afternoon looks interesting. A 6ft south-west swell rolls in with a very long 15-second period (energy 1414 feet), and a gentle cross-shore wind. A nice late pulse of groundswell. Wednesday the 30th morning hangs in with 5ft and a cross-off breeze.

So the main event is Monday morning the 21st. Get it while the wind is off and the sets are stacking. The rest is a mix of small clean days and blown-out messes. Stay tuned for that last little pulse.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning).

Tue
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
4
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
S
10
1.1
S
9
0.9
SSE
9
0.9
SE
9
0.9
SE
12
0.8
SE
10
0.8
SE
9
0.7
SE
11
0.9
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
0.8
SE
12
1.3
S
7
1.2
S
8
1.3
SSW
10
2.5
S
8
2.5
S
10
2.5
S
12
2.1
S
12
1.3
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
332
207
113
112
224
138
125
110
244
190
193
176
163
195
290
957
1470
2246
1146
327
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
10
NW
5
WNW
15
E
15
WNW
15
NNW
15
N
15
WSW
20
WSW
10
S
15
WNW
20
WSW
10
W
30
WNW
35
SW
30
SW
15
W
5
WNW
20
NE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:52PM1.71m
9:14AM1.76m
9:39PM1.68m
9:58AM1.72m
10:25PM1.64m
10:45AM1.66m
11:11PM1.59m
11:34AM1.60m
11:55PM1.52m
12:25PM1.54m
00:41AM1.44m
1:14PM1.49m
1:29AM1.38m
Low Tide
3:05AM0.33m
3:31PM0.34m
3:51AM0.39m
4:19PM0.39m
4:38AM0.42m
5:05PM0.42m
5:24AM0.45m
5:53PM0.44m
6:09AM0.46m
6:41PM0.45m
6:53AM0.45m
7:29PM0.44m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:01
6:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:02
 mm
6
2
1
2
Temp °C
15
12
15
16
12
17
16
14
11
12
12
13
15
15
14
10
7
14
16
13
Feels °C
11
9
13
13
10
13
12
11
6
8
8
11
10
10
6
5
3
11
12
10
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  • 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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