
Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 4,271 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with E 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 5th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's paddle out and see what's cookin' for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, starting with some small but clean waves, building into a big, powerful swell. It’s a classic pattern, but you’ve gotta pick your windows. The first few days are all about finesse, and then the ocean gets real mean for a while.
### Imperial
We’re starting off at Blacks Reef on Sunday the 5th. It’s not the biggest, with a 3ft swell from the East and a 10-second period, but with that light NNE offshore wind, it’s looking clean and fun. The water is sitting at 56°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t be shy with the wetsuit. The combined swell energy is moderate at 208, perfect for an easy paddle and a few cheeky turns. Expect moderate crowds here, as she’s a consistent break.
Monday the 6th sees a little bump in size to 5ft in the morning, still from the East. The wind stays light offshore, so the morning session is the go. By Monday afternoon, the swell pushes to 6ft out of the East, and the wind goes cross-offshore, cleaning it up nicely. The energy jumps to 507, feeling a bit more alive.
Now, Tuesday the 7th is the standout of the first week. We’ve got a clean 6ft swell, 10-second period from the East, but the wind? Absolutely glassy in the morning. Zero wind. The combined energy is up at 678. This is your session. Clear your schedule. The afternoon gets some onshore wind, so get it while it’s good.
Wednesday the 8th brings a bigger push. Morning sees 8ft from the ESE with an 11-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is strong at 1255. This is getting into expert territory. If you’ve got the skills, this is gonna be a proper session. Afternoon turns onshore and a bit of rain.
From Thursday the 9th through Tuesday the 14th, things get heavy. The swell hovers between 8ft and 15ft, mostly from the SSE and S, with strong onshore winds. The combined energy hits over 4000 on the 10th. This is not a paddle session – this is for the tow crew or the kites. The break is just too big and blown out.
We get a break on the 15th. Swell is still big at 15ft, but the wind swings to a light cross-off in the morning and goes glassy in the afternoon from the East. The period is a long 11 seconds. It’s still massive, but the conditions are finally good. Again, experts only.
Things start to switch on Thursday the 16th. Swell drops to 6ft from the ESE, but it’s a long 11-second period. Winds are cross-onshore, so it’s a bit lumpy, but the energy is still tasty at 1490.
Then, Friday the 17th is the hidden gem for the second week. Wake up early to 5ft from the SE, 11 seconds, and glassy. Clean, lined-up waves. Then get ready for Friday afternoon: 3ft from the South, but the period stretches to an incredible 15 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is 1001. For a reef break like this, that long period will wrap in beautifully. This is a must-paddle session.
Saturday the 18th keeps the vibes going with 5ft from the South, a 14-second period, and a gentle offshore wind. The energy is 1012. It’s clean, it’s grunty, and it’s waiting for you.
Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th fade out. Swell drops to 3ft then 1.0ft. Still offshores, but the energy trickles down to 61. It’s a surfboard waxing day.
Best on offer: Tuesday the 7th for the glassy, clean 6ft waves, and Friday the 17th afternoon for that crazy 15-second groundswell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the S by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
200 | 185 | 293 | 299 | 473 | 461 | 524 | 529 | 863 | 1150 | 902 | 788 | 2167 | 2323 | 3540 | 3723 | 3712 | 2866 | 3338 | 2554 | 1498 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:24AM1.48m | 9:44PM1.57m | 10:05AM1.50m | 10:30PM1.58m | 10:48AM1.53m | 11:16PM1.60m | 11:34AM1.57m | 00:04AM1.63m | 12:26PM1.63m | 00:54AM1.67m | 1:22PM1.70m | 1:49AM1.70m | 2:19PM1.77m | 2:46AM1.73m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:27PM0.35m | 4:02AM0.31m | 4:14PM0.35m | 4:46AM0.31m | 5:01PM0.35m | 5:32AM0.31m | 5:49PM0.35m | 6:18AM0.31m | 6:42PM0.36m | 7:07AM0.30m | 7:39PM0.34m | 8:00AM0.29m | 8:39PM0.30m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 4:58 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 18 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SE 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 15 |
200 | 185 | 293 | 299 | 473 | 103 | 524 | 529 | 863 | 1150 | 902 | 788 | 510 | 399 | 510 | 149 | 214 | 1280 | 75 | 77 | 74 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 20 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NE 9 | S 22 | NE 8 | SSW 18 | — | — | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | S 18 |
3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 31 | 14 | 57 | 100 | 67 | 37 | 60 | 31 | 40 | 9 | 25 | 207 | — | — | 45 | 129 | 107 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | — | S 15 | S 22 | S 13 | SW 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | NE 10 | S 18 | SSW 16 | NNE 9 | SSW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 18 |
5 | — | 5 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 97 | 86 | 80 | 68 | 24 | 26 | 53 | 30 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | 109 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 7 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
120 | 128 | — | — | — | 461 | — | — | — | — | 44 | 55 | 2167 | 2323 | 3540 | 3723 | 3712 | 2866 | 3338 | 2554 | 1498 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 82 | 91 | 14 | 157 | 157 | 157 | 162 | 91 | 91 | 82 |
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.










