Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, S swell with 14,917 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a solid run of surf, but it’s got a wild side, so you gotta pick your moments.
The opening act is a beauty. Wednesday morning, the 26th of August, we see a clean 3 ft south swell rolling in with a long 18-second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the northwest, making for some really clean lines at Blacks Reef. It’s a reef break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely here. The water's about average for this time of year, nothing weird to report. The energy is moderate (533), so there’s enough push for a fun session. Wednesday afternoon is even better, going glassy with a 3 ft south swell, period still up at 16 seconds. This is a stand-out window for sure.
Thursday the 27th gets a bit more grunty. The morning is a write-off with a messy cross-onshore wind, but don’t write it off yet. Thursday afternoon is the real deal. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the south, period 17 seconds, and the wind switches to a clean cross-offshore from the east. The energy is pumping (2576), and the report says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your main call for the week: Thursday afternoon. It’s a powerful, long-period south swell, and this reef will handle it beautifully.
Friday the 28th starts with a clean 5 ft south swell under a moderate offshore breeze from the NNE. That’s a solid morning session, with moderate energy (787). The afternoon drops a bit in size to 4 ft, the wind goes cross-off, and it’s still clean, but the energy drops off.
Saturday the 29th through Sunday the 30th sees the swell fade. Saturday morning has a 3 ft south swell with gentle offshore winds—clean, but small. The energy is weak (265). Sunday is even smaller, barely surfable. We’re looking at a flat spell here.
Then things get interesting, but not for the faint-hearted. Monday the 31st of August is a mess. A strong onshore wind from the southwest and a 13 ft swell with a short 10-second period—that’s a washing machine. The energy is huge (5545), but it’s blown out and ugly. Hard pass.
Tuesday the 1st of September brings a massive 20 ft south swell with a 14-second period. The energy is insane (14499). The wind is light, but the report says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s a gamble. The reef will be a raging torrent. The afternoon has a 15 ft swell under clean cross-offshore winds, but again, it’s huge. If you’re not a pro, stay on the beach.
Wednesday the 2nd of September is the sweet spot comeback. The swell drops to a manageable 7 ft from the south, period 10 seconds, with a light cross-offshore wind from the northwest. The energy is moderate (880), and surf is very clean. That’s your second stand-out window: Wednesday morning. It’s mellowed out from the monster swell, but still has plenty of punch.
From Thursday the 3rd of September onwards, it’s a slow fade. The size drops, and the wind switches around. There are some clean, small waves on the 7th of September (Monday) with a 4 ft south swell and a 11-second period under a light offshore breeze, energy at 650. That’s a nice little session if you’re desperate. The rest of the second week is mostly small, weak, and ordinary. The 10th of September (Thursday) has a clean 2 ft south swell with a 17-second period under a gentle offshore wind, but it’s tiny.
Overall, the big winners are Thursday afternoon the 27th of August for the powerful, clean, 7 ft south swell, and Wednesday morning the 2nd of September for the clean, solid 7 ft south swell after the crazy weekend. The rest is a mix of flat spells, huge and dangerous waves, or small clean bumps. Choose wisely.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | S 16 | S 17 | S 18 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 14 | S 13 | S 15 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
492 | 535 | 443 | 1561 | 1881 | 1679 | 780 | 534 | 290 | 213 | 202 | 119 | 81 | 31 | 1055 | 2996 | 1595 | 1383 | 9567 | 12416 | 3387 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:13PM1.49m | 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 | 10:00AM0.41m | 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 | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 16 | S 17 | S 18 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 14 | NE 10 | S 15 | S 13 |
492 | 535 | 443 | 1561 | 1881 | 1679 | 780 | 534 | 290 | 213 | 202 | 119 | 81 | 31 | 6 | 2206 | 1595 | 1383 | 16 | 12416 | 3387 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | S 5 | — | SE 15 | ENE 5 | ESE 14 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 10 | S 18 | S 16 | ENE 11 | — | NE 10 | ENE 10 |
100 | 26 | 23 | 12 | 34 | — | 9 | 32 | 18 | 53 | 27 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 311 | 513 | 11 | — | 16 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | NE 10 | E 10 | — | ESE 11 | — | SE 15 | SE 15 | — | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 15 | SE 12 | SSW 6 | — | — | NE 10 | — | — | — | — |
43 | 4 | 2 | — | 12 | — | 9 | 8 | — | 27 | 25 | 17 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NNW 3 | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 2 | SSW 7 | SSW 11 | — | W 3 | S 13 | — | — |
2 | — | 3 | — | — | 17 | 39 | 3 | 43 | 116 | — | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1055 | 2996 | — | 8 | 9567 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 89 | 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.











