Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
13.0°C
0.7° 

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 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, SSE swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, S swell with 12,923 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. 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 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 7th Sep)1ft (0.3m) 17s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 7th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 14th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. It’s been a bit of a slow start, but we’ve got some real gems hiding in this 16-day window for Blacks Reef. Let’s get into it.

First up, the water is sitting at 55°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The early part of the week is a write-off. Sunday and Monday (6th-7th Sept) are tiny and weak, with a combined energy of just 129 (moderate) dropping to 90 (weak). The wind is messy, and the swell is barely there. Honestly, not worth paddling out for. Tuesday (8th Sept) sees a big jump in size, with 12ft swell from the South, but the wind is howling onshore at 22 mph, making it a total mess. The energy is huge at 1895, but it’s a washing machine. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

Wednesday morning (9th Sept) is the first real glimmer. We get a 6ft swell from the SE with glassy conditions – wind is a whisper at 3 mph. The energy is a solid 425 (moderate). It’s clean, but the swell direction isn’t ideal for the break. Still, for a quick session, it’s the best we’ve seen so far.

Then we hit a dry spell. Thursday (10th) through Saturday (12th) are ordinary at best, with small, weak swells and onshore winds. Not worth the drive.

Now, the standout. Sunday, 13th September is a beast. The swell jumps to 23ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is a staggering 40,517 (very strong). This is a proper groundswell. But – and this is a big but – the data says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. The wind is cross-onshore at 12 mph, so it’s not clean. This is strictly for experts only, and even then, it’s a maybe. The long period means it’ll be breaking too straight at a beach break, but this is a reef, so it might offer some shape. Still, that size is intimidating.

The real highlight for the experienced crew is Monday, 14th September. We’ve got a 8ft S swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is offshore from the North at 6 mph. Combined energy is 2,175 (strong). That’s solid, clean, and powerful. It’s going to be a proper session for those who know what they’re doing. The data says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” – and I agree. The crowds are likely here, but with that quality, it’s worth it.

Tuesday morning (15th Sept) is a close second, with 6ft S swell and light offshore winds, energy at 1,425. Clean and punchy. By Wednesday afternoon (16th Sept), the swell drops to 4ft, but it’s glassy with a 12-second period from the S, energy at 381. That’s a fun, relaxed afternoon for the longboard.

After that, the swell fades. Thursday (17th) through Saturday (19th) is small and weak, with energy dropping below 100. The wind is messy again. Sunday (20th) and Monday (21st) see another massive blast of swell – 15ft to 18ft from the S and SSW – but the wind is cross-onshore to onshore and strong, making it a total nightmare. Energy is through the roof (7,000+), but it’s unsurfable for anyone but the most hardcore, and even then, it’s ugly.

So, bottom line: if you’re an experienced surfer, Monday 14th September is your day. Clean, strong, and offshore. The Sunday before is a giant, but it’s borderline dangerous. For the rest of us, Wednesday morning (9th) and Wednesday afternoon (16th) offer the cleanest, most manageable waves. The rest is a skip.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Mon night, calm by Wed morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed night, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Sun
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
18
0.5
S
17
0.3
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
6
4
S
9
3.5
S
8
3
S
8
2
SSE
8
1.6
SE
8
1.2
SE
8
1
SE
8
0.7
SE
7
0.6
SE
7
0.4
SSW
13
4
SSW
8
3
S
9
1.8
S
8
0.5
S
17
0.9
S
16
2.5
S
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
104
147
51
60
2217
1700
1029
489
283
169
108
51
30
57
2136
1473
358
151
401
3200
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
25
NW
10
WNW
20
WNW
45
SW
40
SW
35
SW
20
SW
10
W
15
E
15
NNW
20
WNW
15
WNW
20
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
25
W
40
WSW
30
WSW
30
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
1:15AM1.63m
1:45PM1.73m
2:15AM1.61m
2:43PM1.74m
3:14AM1.61m
3:41PM1.74m
4:12AM1.62m
4:37PM1.75m
5:08AM1.63m
5:33PM1.75m
6:03AM1.67m
6:25PM1.75m
Low Tide
7:08PM0.21m
7:26AM0.19m
8:07PM0.18m
8:26AM0.16m
9:05PM0.15m
9:27AM0.13m
10:02PM0.13m
10:25AM0.11m
10:59PM0.13m
11:19AM0.11m
11:53PM0.14m
12:11PM0.13m
00:45AM0.17m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:54
 mm
4
25
5
1
2
4
1
4
Temp °C
17
16
16
12
12
10
11
11
11
13
10
15
16
13
10
13
12
11
13
10
Feels °C
13
11
15
10
9
2
5
6
9
9
7
11
12
9
4
8
6
4
5
1
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Blacks Reef:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Blacks Reef surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest