Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 4,343 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, Rusty checking in from the beach. Let's talk about what we've got coming down the pipeline. It's a bit of a slow-burner, so stick with me.
We're starting off with a real dud. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are showing tiny little waves, barely 2 feet, with some cross-offshore breeze making it look pretty but not worth getting wet. The energy is just weak, around 100 or so. Monday the 7th is a complete write-off with onshore winds and rain.
Now, things finally turn the corner on Wednesday the 9th. We get a clean 5-foot south swell rolling in with a period of 8 seconds and proper offshore wind from the northeast. The combined energy hits a moderate 331. It's not epic, but it's clean and it's surfable, so that Wednesday morning is your first real chance for a paddle.
But here's the one you want to aim for. Mark it down: Tuesday the 15th of September. The morning has a solid 7-foot south swell with a long, chunky 15-second period. That's real groundswell, and the combined energy is a strong 2012. The morning is a bit messy, but then Tuesday afternoon... it goes glassy. Flat calm. A 6-foot south swell at 14 seconds, energy at 1078, and the report calls it "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is the pick of the whole forecast. That size is a bit much for beginners, but for the rest of you, it'll be the session to remember. Water temp is about 55°F, just a hair below average for this time of year.
After that, it drops off again. The weekend of the 19th and 20th brings another pulse. Saturday the 19th afternoon has a clean 6-foot south-southwest swell with energy at 625, which is a really solid session. Then Sunday the 20th morning shows a 8-foot south swell at a short 8-second period, but with clean offshore winds from the northeast and energy hitting 844. That'll be a fun but punchy wave, definitely for the more experienced crew.
So, be patient, let the small stuff pass, and set your alarm for Tuesday the 15th for the best wave of the window. This place is a reef break, so it needs the right swell direction, and it can get a crowd on it.
That's the story from here. Keep your wax on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the W by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 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) | SSW 9 | SSW 7 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | S 17 | SSW 16 | S 16 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 13 | SW 7 | S 18 | S 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 80 | 41 | 92 | 100 | 104 | 147 | 51 | 44 | 1635 | 1021 | 842 | 627 | 331 | 250 | 133 | 66 | 37 | 35 | 371 | 248 | 178 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 11:46AM1.74m | 00:17AM1.65m | 12:46PM1.73m | 1:15AM1.63m | 1:45PM1.73m | 2:15AM1.61m | 2:43PM1.74m | 3:14AM1.61m | 3:41PM1.74m | 4:12AM1.62m | 4:37PM1.75m | 5:08AM1.63m | 5:33PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:09PM0.23m | 6:29AM0.21m | 7:08PM0.21m | 7:26AM0.19m | 8:07PM0.18m | 8:26AM0.16m | 9:05PM0.15m | 9:27AM0.13m | 10:02PM0.13m | 10:25AM0.11m | 10:59PM0.13m | 11:19AM0.11m | 11:53PM0.14m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 7 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 17 | SSW 10 | NE 5 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 5 | S 20 | SSW 6 | S 19 |
| kJ | 80 | 41 | 92 | 100 | 38 | 147 | 36 | 16 | 1382 | 861 | 627 | 627 | 331 | 250 | 133 | 66 | 37 | 11 | 194 | 78 | 178 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 18 | SSW 18 | E 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | — | S 15 | S 15 | NE 9 | ENE 7 | E 15 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | SE 8 | ENE 9 | S 18 | S 12 |
| kJ | 17 | 28 | 78 | 25 | 104 | 2 | 51 | 33 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 248 | 72 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 15 | NE 4 | NE 4 | E 10 | S 8 | — | S 16 | — | E 16 | NE 16 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | S 21 | E 14 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 13 |
| kJ | 2 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 44 | — | 5 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 12 | 35 | 17 | 7 | 34 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | NW 2 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NW 4 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | NE 9 | NNE 5 | WNW 2 | NW 2 | WNW 3 | SW 7 | W 4 | SW 6 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 45 | 10 | 1635 | 1021 | 842 | — | — | 19 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 371 | 10 | 116 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 33 | 89 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 44 | 3 | 410 |
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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