Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
11.9°C
1.7° 

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 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, S swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with 6,280 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 25th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 31st Aug)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 1st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty comin' at ya from the Blacks Reef area. Let's talk about what's on the cards over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we've got some solid, clean surf on the horizon. That first call on Monday the 24th of August is a ripper. We're looking at a clean 4ft swell from the south with a light cross-off breeze, making for some real nice, organized lines. The water's a bit colder than usual for this time of year, sitting at 53°F, so you'll want the extra rubber. Wave energy is moderate at 714.

Tuesday morning the 25th gets a bit mixed up with some lumpy cross-shore conditions, but hang in there. The arvo on Tuesday is where it's at – glassy conditions, E wind at just 6 mph, and a clean 4ft south swell. That's a proper session. Wednesday the 26th keeps that good form rolling with clean surf all day, cross-off winds, and a solid 3ft to 3ft south groundswell with a long period of 16-18 seconds. That long period energy (525-548) means the waves will have some punch and shape, but might get a bit straight at the peak – best to work the corners.

Thursday the 27th sees the swell bump up a fair bit, with 6ft to 7ft south swell. The energy gets serious too, topping out at 2383 on the arvo. However, the winds turn cross-onshore and then cross, putting a bit of a chop on the face. It's still surfable, but not as clean as the days prior.

Now, Friday the 28th is a standout for the first week. Clean, gentle offshore wind from the north in the morning with a 5ft south swell (energy 920). That is the call of the week. Slightly big, clean, and pushing through nicely. By the weekend, things back off a bit. Saturday the 29th stays clean and offshore, but the swell drops to under 3ft. Still fun. Sunday the 30th is a write-off – tiny and weak, with rain showers.

There's a clear gap from the 30th of August through to the 31st. The surf gets very poor. Monday the 31st shows a pulse of windswell in the arvo at 10ft, but it's onshore, messy, and from the south at a short 7-second period. That's not for a regular board.

The beginning of September delivers a massive pulse of energy. Tuesday the 1st of September: a 13ft south swell with incredible energy (5861) and clean, offshore winds. This is huge. But – and it's a big but – at 13ft, this is only for the experts. This break will be maxing out. After that, a 10ft swell on the arvo, still clean. Wednesday and Thursday the 2nd and 3rd are smaller and cleaner, but nothing special.

Then, look out for Saturday the 5th of September. Another beast: a 20ft south swell with 10692 combined energy, glassy conditions. Again, expert territory only. Sunday the 6th of September morning sees it dropping to a still-mighty 10ft from the SSE, with clean offshore wind. That's the real standout for the second week – excellent for experienced surfers. Expect big, powerful sets.

The rest of the run into the 7th and 8th of September is a slow fade. Monday the 7th has a clean 4ft south swell in the morning, a nice little afterthought, but by Tuesday the 8th it's essentially flat with tiny 1ft dribble.

For the best of the best, I'm calling Friday the 28th of August morning – that's your clean, offshore, head-high treat. For the second week, dawn patrol on Sunday the 6th of September offers a proper big-wave session for those with the skill.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
1
2
2
3
3
1
3
3
4
3
2
1
2
2
1
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)
1.2
S
14
1.6
S
13
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.7
S
15
0.8
S
18
1
S
16
0.9
S
17
1.7
S
18
2
S
17
2
S
15
1.6
S
13
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
610
851
439
353
224
390
520
459
1759
2371
1817
902
526
350
216
198
149
96
33
20
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
10
NW
10
WNW
5
E
10
NW
5
NW
10
NE
15
WNW
5
SW
15
SE
15
NNE
15
N
20
NNW
15
N
15
N
10
NNW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
ESE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
 mm
1
Temp °C
14
11
15
16
13
16
17
15
15
14
13
17
17
14
17
18
13
12
13
10
Feels °C
10
8
13
13
10
14
14
12
14
12
10
13
12
10
15
16
10
9
11
8
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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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