Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s period, S swell with 2,654 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s 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 (Aug 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 14s. 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 2.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore 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+) | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Blacks Reef, if you know where to look. The water is sitting at 53°, which is a bit colder than we’re used to for this time of year, so maybe zip that wetsuit up a touch tighter.
The waves start arriving on Monday the 24th of August. Monday morning is a bit of a write-off – a light cross-shore and barely a ripple. But by Monday afternoon, things clean up nicely. The wind swings light offshore, and we’ve got a clean 4ft SSW groundswell pushing in at a very long 14 seconds. The energy is moderate (714), but with that period and light wind, it’s a sweet, lined-up reef wave. It’s a good one for beginners, given the size and the consistent nature of the break, though you’ll likely have company because crowds are often here.
Tuesday the 25th keeps the quality up. Morning is clean with a light WNW cross-off wind and a 4ft S swell at 12 seconds (468 energy). Then Tuesday afternoon turns glassy with a 4ft S swell. That’s the kind of session you live for – smooth, slow, and no wind.
Wednesday the 26th is another beauty. The swell drops to 3ft in the morning, but the period is an incredible 18 seconds. That’s a very long groundswell, and the energy is still moderate (519). It’s going to be clean and long-walling. Wednesday afternoon is glassy again with a 3ft, 16-second swell. This is pure, clean reef surfing.
Now, the standout. Thursday the 27th of August. The morning brings a 6ft S swell at 18 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 1982 – that’s a strong pulse. The wind is a light cross-off, and conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is it. The size is pushing into the territory where beginners might struggle, but for anyone with a bit of experience, this is the pick of the forecast. The sets will be long, powerful, and clean. Thursday afternoon gets a bit bigger at 7ft, but the wind picks up a notch, so stick to the morning.
Friday the 28th is still good, with a 5ft S swell and a moderate breeze. It’s clean, but not as pristine as Thursday. Saturday the 29th sees the swell easing back to 3ft with a light offshore wind in the morning. It’s a good, fun wave, but not the standout.
After Saturday, the surf drops off. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are poor, with small, messy, cross-onshore wind. There’s a gap of a few days of nothing much.
Then, mark your calendar for Tuesday the 1st of September. The swell is predicted to be way too big for this break – 12ft to 13ft with a 15-second period. The energy is astronomical (5663 to 7512). That’s an expert-only, monster swell. The wind is glassy on the afternoon, but it’s simply too much water moving for Blacks Reef to handle. It’ll be dangerous. The rest of that week is blown out by strong wind or rain, with a few clean windows but nothing to get excited about except a promising Monday morning the 7th of September, with a 6ft S swell and light cross-off wind.
So, to wrap it up: the best bet without a doubt is Thursday morning, the 27th of August. The swell direction from the south is perfect for the break, the wind is light and offshore, and the quality is top-notch. Just be aware it’s for the more experienced crew. The Tuesday morning the 1st of September is a monster, but it’s just too big to be good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 8 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 15 | 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 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
306 | 610 | 851 | 439 | 353 | 218 | 390 | 513 | 459 | 1970 | 2594 | 1640 | 901 | 640 | 356 | 271 | 248 | 191 | 138 | 98 | 82 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:43PM1.52m | 2:58AM1.40m | 3:28PM1.49m | 3:46AM1.38m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:57PM0.47m | 9:11AM0.44m | 9:43PM0.43m | 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 | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | 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 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 |
306 | 610 | 851 | 439 | 353 | 143 | 390 | 513 | 459 | 1970 | 2594 | 1640 | 901 | 640 | 356 | 271 | 248 | 191 | 138 | 98 | 82 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | SSW 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 18 | S 15 | SSW 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 | SE 15 | ESE 14 | NE 5 | NE 7 | NE 8 | SSW 5 | NE 6 | SSE 10 |
34 | 69 | 28 | 27 | 97 | 218 | 102 | 26 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 11 | 6 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | ESE 13 | NE 11 | NE 5 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | E 16 | SE 15 | NE 10 | — | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NE 6 | S 13 | ENE 6 |
6 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 5 | 9 | 4 | — | 17 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 6 | — | SW 5 | — | — | — |
— | — | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 8 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 84 | — | 17 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
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.











