Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 13s period, S swell with 9,264 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 5.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, switching to feet and Fahrenheit for you.
We’ve got a solid run of groundswells hitting Blacks Reef over the next couple of weeks. That reef is a standout for handling that south swell, giving us proper shaped waves, but we’ve got to play the weather right.
The big energy kicks off Sunday the 2nd with an 8ft south swell, 12-second period, and combined energy cranked up to 1885. The water’s running 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time, so you’ll want a good hood if you’re heading out. Sunday morning’s cross-shore wind is workable, but the best window opens Saturday morning, August 8th. That’s your pick of the fortnight: 7ft south swell, 13-second period, combined energy of 1335, and glassy conditions. It’s clean, punchy, and the reef will be lined up. Experienced surfers are going to love it. Crowds are often around here, so expect company.
The swell drops through the middle of the second week, getting small and weak. By Wednesday the 12th, we’re down to 2ft and combined energy of just 63. It’s surfable but very ordinary. That flat spell lasts through the 16th, with only knee-high slop.
Then look out for Monday the 17th. A new SSW swell pushes in at 8ft, 8-second period, and combined energy of 880. That is a more abrupt, short-period swell, so it’ll be steeper and a bit more unruly. The cross-off wind keeps it clean, but the short period means it won’t have the same push as the earlier groundswell. Still, it’s a welcome pulse after the flat spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Wed night, min 4°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed morning, light winds from the WNW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 11 | S 12 | S 8 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1880 | 1179 | 862 | 562 | 292 | 657 | 2009 | 8897 | 8076 | 5860 | 4061 | 2360 | 1430 | 1045 | 622 | 523 | 1641 | 2379 | 1335 | 940 | 634 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:34PM1.61m | 8:57AM1.55m | 9:19PM1.63m | 9:39AM1.59m | 10:04PM1.65m | 10:22AM1.63m | 10:51PM1.66m | 11:10AM1.67m | 11:41PM1.67m | 12:04PM1.70m | 00:33AM1.67m | 1:01PM1.74m | 1:29AM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:15PM0.29m | 2:50AM0.27m | 3:02PM0.29m | 3:34AM0.27m | 3:49PM0.29m | 4:19AM0.27m | 4:38PM0.30m | 5:05AM0.28m | 5:29PM0.31m | 5:54AM0.28m | 6:23PM0.31m | 6:46AM0.27m | 7:22PM0.29m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Feels °C | 5 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 7 | -2 | -4 | -3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 11 | S 12 | E 12 | ENE 12 | — | — | E 18 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 1880 | 1179 | 862 | 562 | 292 | 657 | 3 | 14 | — | — | 6 | 2360 | 1430 | 1045 | 622 | 523 | 1641 | 2379 | 1335 | 940 | 634 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | SSE 15 | ENE 14 | S 22 | S 13 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 19 | S 10 | NE 15 | NE 14 | E 13 | S 18 |
| kJ | 5 | 242 | 21 | 36 | 168 | 103 | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | 35 | 48 | 46 | 262 | 441 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 16 | E 15 | — | ENE 13 | SSW 9 | ENE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 18 | NE 17 | E 16 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NE 15 | NE 14 | S 20 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 40 | 4 | — | 17 | 68 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | 5 | 57 | 39 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 31 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 3 | NW 3 | SW 6 | S 8 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 76 | 2009 | 8897 | 8076 | 5860 | 4061 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 89 | 280 | 169 | 94 | 109 | 41 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 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.
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