Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.9° 

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 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with 3,387 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with SSW 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 (Jul 14) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 6PM. 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 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Tue 14th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 17th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 17th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a proper look at what’s coming for Blacks Reef. Let’s talk it through.

So, right now we’re in a bit of a flat spell. The first couple of days, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th of July, are offering tiny, weak waves – around 2ft to 2ft. The wind is light and clean, but honestly, there’s just not enough juice to get excited about. The combined energy is low (123 on Tuesday morning, dropping to 62 and 51 later), so it’s a good time to check your gear or just enjoy the beach.

The first real hint of life shows up on Thursday 16th July. The swell picks up to 2ft in the morning, building to 3ft by afternoon, with a long period of 15 to 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy coming from the ESE, and combined energy jumps to 224 and then 528. The wind is clean and cross-off – perfect for a reef like this. This is the first standout. It’s not huge, but the quality will be there for a fun session.

Then, we get a proper pulse on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th. Friday morning sees 5ft from the SE with a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-on and turns onshore, making it a bit messy. Combined energy is strong (1356 to 3044). The real gem is Saturday 18th July. Morning delivers 5ft, afternoon drops slightly to 5ft, both from the SE with a 14-second period, and the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. Combined energy is still pumping (1409 to 1070). This is your best window – clean, powerful, and excellent for experienced surfers. The water temp is about 56°F, which is close to average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

Sunday 19th turns ugly. A strong S wind (19 mph) and onshore conditions arrive with a 7ft swell, but it’s lumpy and poor. Combined energy is sky-high (1758 to 2401), but you wouldn’t want to be out in that. Hard pass.

Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st offer a bit of a recovery. Swell drops to 4ft to 5ft, still from the S, with a long period (15 to 18 seconds). Combined energy is still strong (1000 to 1728), and the wind is light cross-off or cross-shore. Tuesday morning in particular looks clean and excellent for experienced surfers. Good, but not as clean as Saturday.

After that, the swell fades through the middle of the week, with heights dropping to 2ft to 4ft by Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th. The wind is moderate to fresh from the ENE, staying clean, but the energy is weak (68 to 242). Not worth paddling out for.

Then, a big shift comes on Sunday 26th July. The swell jumps to 10ft in the morning, building to 13ft by afternoon, from the ESE with a period of 8 to 12 seconds. Combined energy is massive (1185 to 4193). This is huge – too big for most. The wind is clean at first, but by afternoon it’s cross-on and choppy. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be a battle. The 8-second period on Sunday morning is short and punchy, making it tricky.

Monday 27th keeps the 13ft swell, but it’s messy with cross-on wind and light rain. Not fun. The swell drops to 8ft to 10ft on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th, with the wind finally going cross-off and clean. Wednesday 29th morning looks excellent for experienced surfers again, with 7ft from the SE and light offshore wind. The energy is still solid (1017).

So, if you’re picking your moment, Saturday 18th July is the true standout – clean, glassy, and great energy. Thursday 16th July is a close second for a fun, clean session on the build. The big stuff at the end of the month is for the brave and the very skilled.

Keep in mind, Blacks Reef is a reef break, so with those long period swells (15+ seconds), the waves will be lined up and powerful, but it can be a bit tricky if the swell is too straight. The water’s cool, about average for July, so a good wetsuit is your friend.

I’ll be watching the forecasts, but as of now, that’s the story.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
2
0
2
3
4
4
4
4
0
0
2
3
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
S
12
0.4
SSW
12
0.3
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.5
ESE
13
0.7
ESE
15
0.9
ESE
17
1.4
SE
16
1.6
SE
16
1.7
SE
16
2.4
S
12
1.6
SE
14
1.5
SE
14
1.6
S
22
1.1
S
19
2.1
S
11
1.8
S
11
1.2
S
18
1.4
S
15
1.6
S
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
73
45
20
48
47
96
196
504
952
1267
1366
1610
992
849
2631
828
972
769
891
881
1164
Wind (km/h)
15
N
10
NW
15
NW
5
NW
0
ESE
10
NNW
15
NW
20
NW
20
WSW
10
WSW
10
SSW
5
NW
5
NNW
5
SE
10
WSW
30
S
30
SSE
15
SSE
5
SE
5
SE
5
ENE
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
5:14PM1.94m
5:45AM1.79m
6:14PM1.96m
6:44AM1.79m
7:11PM1.96m
7:42AM1.78m
8:06PM1.93m
8:36AM1.77m
8:58PM1.88m
9:27AM1.75m
9:50PM1.81m
10:17AM1.72m
10:42PM1.74m
Low Tide
11:01AM0.15m
11:37PM0.13m
11:59AM0.08m
00:36AM0.09m
12:53PM0.04m
1:34AM0.06m
1:47PM0.03m
2:28AM0.06m
2:42PM0.06m
3:21AM0.09m
3:36PM0.13m
4:12AM0.14m
4:30PM0.21m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
 mm
1
5
3
3
Temp °C
16
17
13
15
17
13
14
15
14
11
11
9
11
12
11
11
10
10
10
10
10
Feels °C
13
15
10
13
16
11
11
10
10
8
8
7
9
10
4
5
4
6
8
8
7
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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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