Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 5,027 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s 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 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s look at what’s shaping up. The first few days are nothing special, but a solid run of swell kicks in later this week and hangs into the start of September. The real highlight is the end of August rolling into September 1st.
Blacks Reef starts off average Tuesday the 25th with a waist-high plus 4ft south swell at 12 seconds. Water temp is 53°, which is a bit colder than normal, so suit up. Winds are light and cross-off, so it’s clean but nothing standout. That afternoon goes glassy, but only 3ft.
Wednesday the 26th starts getting interesting. Morning has a 3ft south swell, but the period jumps to 18 seconds – proper long period groundswell. Combined energy is 530 (moderate), and with light cross-off it’s clean. The afternoon gets even better – 3ft, glassy, zero wind, period still 16 seconds, energy at 548. That deep water swell will wrap nice over the reef.
Thursday morning the 27th bumps to 5ft south at 17 seconds but onshore wind ruins it – marginal at best. However, Thursday afternoon is a true standout – 7ft south swell, 17 seconds, energy cranks to 2473 (very strong) and light offshore wind makes it clean. This is for experienced surfers only – that size over the reef is no joke.
Friday the 28th offers more quality. Morning has 5ft south at 13 seconds with offshore – clean. Afternoon drops to 4ft but still clean cross-off.
Saturday the 29th is small – 3ft – and ordinary. Sunday the 30th is flat, cross winds, poor. A write-off.
Then Monday the 31st returns with a vengeance. Morning shows 5ft south, 17 seconds, clean – energy 1086 (strong). But Monday afternoon is the best of the whole outlook: 8ft south swell, 16 seconds, glassy, and energy hits 3126 (very strong). That’s expert territory, but it’ll be absolutely pumping, clean, long-period lines stacking on the reef.
Tuesday September 1st keeps the dream alive – morning 8ft, 16 seconds, still clean. Afternoon pushes to 10ft south at 16 seconds, energy 4829 (very strong). This is the biggest swell of the run, but you need to know the reef. Winds stay light.
Wednesday 2nd September drops to 7ft then 6ft with moderate cross-off. Still rideable but magic fades. Thursday 3rd turns ugly – onshore, poor. Friday 4th sees size back to 8ft south, but cross-off keeps it just below top tier – marginal but clean.
After that, it slides into choppy, lumpy conditions or weak swell. Nothing to plan around.
The real standouts are Thursday afternoon the 27th and especially Monday afternoon the 31st of August – that’s the one to circle. Tuesday September 1st is also a ripper if you’re solid on the reef. Crowds are likely here because it’s a well-known spot, and it rarely goes this good for this long. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 15 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 16 | S 12 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
439 | 294 | 218 | 390 | 520 | 412 | 1342 | 2326 | 1788 | 769 | 518 | 285 | 160 | 160 | 84 | 50 | 83 | 314 | 1081 | 3118 | 4826 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 7:44AM1.59m | 8:05PM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:48PM0.24m | 2:20AM0.23m | |||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | S 12 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 |
439 | 294 | 143 | 390 | 520 | 412 | 1342 | 2326 | 1788 | 769 | 518 | 285 | 160 | 160 | 84 | 30 | 23 | 314 | 1081 | 3118 | 4826 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | S 18 | S 15 | SSW 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | S 7 | ESE 10 | SE 15 | SE 15 | NE 6 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | S 15 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 6 | NE 8 | SSW 5 | NE 8 |
27 | 97 | 218 | 96 | 26 | 23 | 13 | 135 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 32 | 27 | 16 | 67 | 50 | 31 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 38 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | E 10 | E 10 | — | ESE 11 | E 16 | SE 15 | SE 12 | SE 14 | NE 9 | S 16 | SE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SE 12 | SE 11 | NE 8 | — |
4 | 26 | 25 | 43 | 2 | 2 | — | 12 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 23 | 36 | 83 | 5 | 5 | 15 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | NW 3 | S 6 | — | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NW 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 104 | — | 20 | 30 | 60 | 64 | 25 | 32 | 49 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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.











