Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 8,606 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 20) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. 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 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, breaking it down in the old measurements.
We’re in for a tough first few days. There’s a big, angry swell coming through from the 17th to 19th of August, but with 22 to 25 mph onshore winds, it’s just going to be a mess. Don’t even look at it. There’s a ton of energy in the water (up to 5896 combined on Wednesday morning), but it’s all blown out.
Thursday the 20th the wind lies down a little, but it’s still marginal. The real window opens Friday the 21st. The swell is a more manageable 5ft from the South, but the wind goes glassy from the NNW in the afternoon. That’s our first real chance. The period is a very long 15 seconds, which is proper groundswell. On a reef like Blacks Reef, that’s going to set up nicely. Glassy, clean, and good. That Friday afternoon is the clear winner for the first week. The energy is solid (1206).
We drop off a cliff after that. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are tiny, with weak energy. Not worth paddling out for. There’s a frustrating stretch from Monday the 24th to Wednesday the 26th August, with 3ft to 6ft S swell but the wind is side or onshore, so it’s just not clean.
Now, fast forward to Friday the 28th of August. That’s the golden ticket. We’ve got a 6ft S swell with a 15-second period and light offshore winds from the NE. That’s excellent, heavy-duty surf. The combined wave energy is 1680 – that’s a strong pulse. Experienced surfers, this is your session. Then Sunday the 30th of August backs it up with 5ft to 6ft S swell (11 seconds) and a clean offshore NE wind. Very good conditions. It’s a long way out, but the pattern looks solid. Water temp is a chilly 54°F, a bit below average, so you’ll need a thick rubber.
There’s a quiet spell before that Friday the 28th, so just be patient. The first Friday and that final Sunday are the days to chase.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Tue night, light winds from the SW by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1689 | 1507 | 858 | 3168 | 8514 | 5831 | 3643 | 2785 | 1890 | 647 | 354 | 1456 | 1089 | 392 | 280 | 205 | 146 | 73 | 42 | 40 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:21PM1.76m | 9:46AM1.75m | 10:10PM1.71m | 10:33AM1.72m | 10:59PM1.67m | 11:22AM1.67m | 11:48PM1.62m | 12:14PM1.62m | 00:35AM1.57m | 1:06PM1.58m | 1:22AM1.51m | 1:56PM1.54m | 2:10AM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:09PM0.20m | 3:39AM0.22m | 4:01PM0.28m | 4:27AM0.30m | 4:51PM0.34m | 5:15AM0.36m | 5:41PM0.40m | 6:03AM0.41m | 6:30PM0.44m | 6:49AM0.45m | 7:20PM0.47m | 7:35AM0.46m | 8:10PM0.48m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | SE 9 | S 14 | SE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 144 | 60 | 390 | 338 | 84 | 18 | 475 | 2785 | 205 | 513 | 354 | 1456 | 1089 | 392 | 280 | 205 | 146 | 73 | 31 | 40 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | ESE 15 | SE 14 | S 15 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | S 9 |
| kJ | 200 | 106 | 45 | — | 23 | 47 | 1331 | 393 | 18 | 95 | 69 | 134 | 117 | 45 | 23 | 13 | 34 | 33 | 42 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | — | S 13 | S 17 | ESE 11 | — | S 16 | E 14 | ESE 14 | SE 8 | NE 4 | S 17 | S 15 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | — | — | 209 | 209 | 176 | — | 119 | 4 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | — | S 13 | S 8 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 4 |
| kJ | 1689 | 1507 | 858 | 3168 | 8514 | 5831 | 3643 | — | 1890 | 647 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 41 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 157 | 75 | 114 | 309 | 169 | 91 | 82 | 41 | 53 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 33 | 33 | 9 |
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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