Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.4° C
1.5° 

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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, S swell with 2,282 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period with SSE 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) 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 1.5m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 11th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 11th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 17th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, listen up. We’ve only got one spot on the radar for this whole 16-day stretch, and that’s Blacks Reef. It’s a reliable little reef setup, exposed to the south swell, and it’s beginner friendly, which is a nice change of pace. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild to report there.

The week starts quiet. Tuesday the 11th is a write-off – messy, choppy, poor conditions all day. Not worth a paddle.

Wednesday the 12th morning shows a bit of life. We’ve got a clean 5ft swell rolling in from the SSE, period around 8 seconds, with light offshore NE wind. That’s your first real window. The combined energy is moderate (232), and it’ll be clean. It’s not big, but it’s surfable and the wind is right.

Thursday the 13th morning is similar: 3ft from the SE, 9-second period, still with that nice offshore NNE breeze. Clean again, gentle energy (204). Afternoon gets a bit cross-off and windier, so morning is the call.

Friday the 14th morning holds onto that 3ft SE swell, period dropping to 8 seconds, but the wind stays offshore from the NE. It’s clean but ordinary – surfable if you’re keen, but nothing to write home about.

Now, Saturday the 15th sees the swell bump up to 7ft from the ESE, period 8 seconds. The energy gets meaty (588), but the wind is a fresh cross-off, so it’s clean. This is a solid option for the experienced crew. The swell is getting over 5ft, so not for beginners. Keep an eye on the rain though. Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th get blown out and messy with onshore gales and big, unsurfable swell over 10ft. A hard pass.

The next standout window doesn’t arrive until Friday the 21st. That afternoon is looking absolutely glassy with a 7ft S swell, period a very long 16 seconds. That’s groundswell, and it’s going to wrap into Blacks Reef beautifully. The energy is strong (2193), and with glassy conditions, this is the best of the entire forecast. This is for experienced surfers only, as the size and power are serious.

Saturday the 22nd keeps the S swell around 6ft to 7ft, 12-second periods, with light cross winds. It’s good but not as clean as Friday.

Then, Monday the 24th morning is another cracker. Glassy conditions, a solid 7ft S swell with a very long 14-second period. Energy is strong (1922), and it’s clean. This is your second best shout, but again, it’s for the experienced lot.

The last few days tail off with dropping swell and increasing onshore winds, so the fun is done by then.

So, the standout call is Friday afternoon the 21st and Monday morning the 24th at Blacks Reef. Big, clean, powerful south groundswell. If you’ve got the skills, that’s where you want to be.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 60mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sat night, strong winds from the SSW by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
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
2
2
1
2
2
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
2
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)
0.7
SSE
12
1
SSE
12
1.6
SSW
9
1.3
S
8
1.4
SSE
8
1.1
SSE
8
1.3
SE
10
1
SE
9
1
SE
9
0.9
SE
8
1
SE
8
1.5
E
7
1.9
E
7
2.2
ESE
8
2.3
ESE
8
3
SE
8
3.5
SSE
8
3.5
SSE
8
3.5
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
131
265
358
241
226
142
296
159
155
100
122
193
328
528
590
1082
1380
1563
1487
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
15
WSW
15
SW
5
NW
5
NE
20
NE
15
NNE
15
NNE
20
NE
15
NNE
20
NE
20
ENE
25
ENE
30
E
30
ESE
10
SSE
30
SSW
45
SSW
50
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
High Tide
3:29AM1.69m
3:57PM1.84m
4:28AM1.70m
4:56PM1.86m
5:26AM1.71m
5:54PM1.87m
6:24AM1.72m
6:49PM1.87m
7:19AM1.73m
7:41PM1.84m
8:11AM1.75m
8:31PM1.81m
Low Tide
9:21PM0.19m
9:43AM0.16m
10:20PM0.15m
10:43AM0.10m
11:18PM0.11m
11:39AM0.06m
00:16AM0.09m
12:32PM0.05m
1:11AM0.09m
1:24PM0.08m
2:02AM0.11m
2:17PM0.13m
2:51AM0.16m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
mod rain
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
 mm
1
8
7
18
3
9
14
5
Temp °C
13
11
11
10
12
12
10
13
14
12
13
13
13
13
14
13
12
11
9
Feels °C
10
6
7
9
9
8
6
9
9
8
9
9
9
8
11
11
6
2
-2
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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