
Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with 2,803 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The coming weeks have a bit of a slow start but there are some nice pulses lined up if you’re patient.
Right now, the first action we see is Tuesday, July 14th, over at Blacks Reef. It’s not going to blow you away – a tiny 2ft S swell with a 12-second period, giving the water a moderate energy (123). The wind is clean offshore from the N though, so what’s there will be glassy and rideable for a beginner. Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is only about 2° off the norm, so nothing wild there, just standard cool water. The next few days stay small with mixed conditions, but Wednesday afternoon looks glassy, even if the swell drops to 1ft.
Now, the real story starts to build around Friday, July 17th. We get a jump in size with a 5ft SE swell on Friday morning, swinging up to a beefy 6ft in the afternoon. The period is a long 16 seconds, carrying some proper groundswell energy – combined energy hitting 2699 by Friday afternoon (strong energy). That’s getting a bit big for beginners and only for more experienced surfers with the long period, but the catch here is the wind: it’s onshore or cross-onshore, making things a bit messy. Same story on Saturday – plenty of size and energy (1540 on Saturday morning), but the wind is cross, not clean.
The standout period lands on Monday, July 20th and Tuesday, July 21st. Monday morning brings a 4ft S swell with a long 18-second period, glassy conditions, and an energy of 1445. That’s a quality wave. Tuesday morning is even better: 5ft S swell with a 15-second period, again glassy, energy at 1292. This is the pick of the whole outlook – clean, powerful, and manageable for anyone who’s comfortable in solid surf. Tuesday afternoon holds with a clean 5ft S swell at 17 seconds. The wind shifts to a light cross-off from the E, tidying it up nicely.
We have a bit of a drop-off after that, with smaller swells and good wind into Wednesday and Thursday, but by Friday, July 24th, things go extreme. 10ft to 13ft E swells roll in with high energy (4276 by Saturday morning) but that’s too big for Blacks Reef, especially with short periods and strong cross-off winds. That’s expert territory or more likely a kite session given the power and side wind. That heavy energy and size carries into the final weekend, with onshore winds and rain making it a write-off for paddle surfing.
After that, Monday July 27th offers a last decent window – 6ft E swell with clean cross-off wind and 11-second period – but the afternoon gets ruined by strong SW onshores.
Overall, there are gaps of a couple of days in the second week where things go flat or too messy. The clear standout is Monday and Tuesday, July 20-21, with that sweet, glassy S groundswell. That’s the one to circle.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | S 13 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 23 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
73 | 45 | 20 | 48 | 47 | 96 | 196 | 510 | 964 | 1300 | 1384 | 1766 | 1006 | 862 | 1029 | 1424 | 1215 | 734 | 1044 | 1314 | 1175 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:14PM1.94m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:14PM1.96m | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | 9:50PM1.81m | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:01AM0.15m | 11:37PM0.13m | 11:59AM0.08m | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | 4:12AM0.14m | 4:30PM0.21m | ||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | NE 6 | NE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | S 14 | S 13 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | SSE 7 | S 15 | S 15 |
46 | 21 | 6 | 48 | 47 | 96 | 196 | 510 | 964 | 1300 | 1315 | 1766 | 1006 | 862 | 666 | 1424 | 1215 | 734 | 161 | 1314 | 1175 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 6 | SE 16 | SE 15 | S 10 | S 10 | S 23 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 18 | SE 12 | SE 11 |
73 | 17 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 33 | 1384 | 1297 | 504 | 305 | 1029 | 488 | 363 | 292 | 1044 | 199 | 185 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 16 | S 19 | S 14 | NE 10 | SW 10 | SSW 16 | — | — | S 20 | S 24 | S 9 | S 9 | — | S 21 | SE 12 | — | ESE 6 |
4 | 45 | 6 | 2 | 21 | 30 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | — | — | 30 | 12 | 134 | 78 | — | 36 | 240 | — | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NE 6 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | SW 5 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | S 6 | — | — | — |
9 | 47 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 3 | 28 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 139 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 91 | 162 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










