Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, S swell with 4,235 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 30) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Blacks Reef. We’re starting off slow, but there’s a solid window of action coming up in the first week. The water is at 54°F right now, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.
Right now, Saturday afternoon (29 August), there’s a small 3ft south swell with a clean cross-off breeze. It’s nothing special – the energy is weak (239) and it’s just a marginal session. Sunday morning (30 August) is even smaller with 2ft and glassy conditions, but it’s pretty ordinary, so I’d stay home.
The first real standout is Wednesday, 2 September. That morning you’ve got an 8ft south swell (13 seconds) and light cross-off winds, making for clean conditions. The swell energy is cranking (3454) – that’s strong stuff. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Then Wednesday afternoon turns it up a notch: 10ft south swell with a 17-second period, light cross-off breeze, and the energy is massive (5166). This is exceptional for experts, but at that size, it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing. The long period will have those waves stacking up nicely on the reef.
Thursday (3 September) drops off to 6ft with cross-shore winds, but it’s still surfable. After that, we get a lull, with small surf and poor conditions through the weekend. By Saturday afternoon, 5 September, a 7ft south swell rolls in, but it’s got a cross-shore breeze, so it’s just marginal.
From Sunday 6 September onward, things get messy. There’s some rideable waves, but the wind is all over the place, and by the second week, from 10 September onward, it’s a total write-off. Onshore winds, tiny swell, and poor conditions dominate. The 12 September has an 8ft south swell, but with 35 km/h onshore winds, it’s a complete mess – more for kite surfers than paddle surfers.
So, the absolute winner is Wednesday, 2 September. If you’re an expert, the afternoon session is the one to chase. For everyone else, don’t bother with the second week.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 10 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 | SSW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 154 | 78 | 34 | 32 | 465 | 1487 | 1538 | 1995 | 2697 | 2492 | 2219 | 4235 | 2987 | 1179 | 563 | 276 | 503 | 209 | 144 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 6:58AM1.52m | 7:20PM1.62m | 7:44AM1.59m | 8:05PM1.66m | 8:29AM1.65m | 8:52PM1.69m | 9:13AM1.70m | 9:40PM1.69m | 9:59AM1.73m | 10:30PM1.68m | 10:50AM1.74m | 11:22PM1.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:49AM0.26m | 1:02PM0.25m | 1:35AM0.24m | 1:48PM0.24m | 2:20AM0.23m | 2:37PM0.24m | 3:05AM0.23m | 3:28PM0.25m | 3:52AM0.23m | 4:20PM0.25m | 4:42AM0.24m | 5:13PM0.25m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | ENE 10 | S 13 | S 13 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 | SSW 10 |
| kJ | 154 | 78 | 21 | 47 | 465 | 1487 | 1538 | 1995 | 20 | 2492 | 2219 | 4235 | 2987 | 1179 | 563 | 276 | 503 | 209 | 144 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | ENE 6 | SSE 10 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 19 | E 10 | NNE 5 | S 17 |
| kJ | 38 | 13 | 34 | 8 | 83 | 28 | 20 | 20 | — | 9 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 28 | 2 | 2 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | ENE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | SE 11 | E 11 | E 10 |
| kJ | 6 | 15 | 31 | 32 | 49 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | — | SW 3 | — | WNW 3 | W 4 | — | W 4 | S 12 | — | — | NE 9 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 3 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 |
| kJ | 32 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 19 | — | 14 | 2697 | — | — | 20 | 13 | 12 | 26 | 6 | 14 | 34 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 41 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 33 | 12 | 3 | 55 |
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.
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