Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with 4,201 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s 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 (Sep 13) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. We got one break to talk about: Blacks Reef. It’s a reef setup, exposed to south swells, and it’s very consistent. Water temp is about 55°F, a touch colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a thicker suit.
We start this Saturday the 12th with a messy 5ft south swell. Wind is on it, energy is solid (1183). Not worth the paddle.
Sunday the 13th is a total loss. Swell hits 8ft in the morning, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. Afternoon is 7ft with the same story. High energy (2289, 1536), but the quality is trash.
Now, Monday the 14th is the first real standout. Monday morning is dead calm – glassy – with a solid 7ft south swell at a long 12 seconds. Excellent for experienced surfers. Energy is strong (1263). The afternoon cleans up with a light cross-off breeze and 6ft waves. This is the best early call.
Tuesday the 15th drops to 4ft, glassy in the morning. Period shortens to 10 seconds, energy down to 410. Surfable, but nothing to write home about. The afternoon gets breezy with 4ft.
Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are tiny. We’re talking 3ft down to 1ft. Energy is weak (under 121). Glassy, but no push. A couple of small days.
Friday the 18th brings a new longer-period southeast swell, 4ft at 13 seconds. Energy is moderate (677). Wind is light and cross-onshore, making it marginal, but there’s potential.
Saturday the 19th sees a big, long-period south groundswell – 4ft at 18 seconds. Energy is strong (1256), but the wind is on it again. That long period can make for some nice lines on the reef if it gets clean.
We hit another quiet patch from Sunday the 20th through Tuesday the 22nd. Sunday morning the 20th is a bright spot – glassy, 4ft south swell at 14 seconds, energy at 568. Very good, clean conditions. The rest are small or windy.
The last week of the forecast gets rough. Strong winds from the 22nd to the 25th will chop everything up, even though there’s serious swell energy (up to 4766). This is more of a kite-surfing setup with those onshore gales.
Friday the 25th is a gem. Friday morning is glassy with a clean 6ft south swell. Friday afternoon is also glassy, 6ft at 12 seconds, energy strong at 1368. Excellent for experienced surfers. This is your second standout.
Saturday the 26th brings the biggest swell – 12ft at 16 seconds. Massive. Energy is extreme (5673). For Blacks Reef, that’s too big. Experts only, and it might be closing out.
We end on Sunday the 27th with a clean, glassy afternoon – 5ft at 11 seconds, energy at 646. A very good finish.
The Pick: Lock in Monday the 14th for that glass and solid 7ft south swell. Friday the 25th is your backup for the clean, powerful afternoon. Stay on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1055 | 4201 | 2289 | 1531 | 1372 | 1248 | 996 | 687 | 361 | 234 | 148 | 103 | 76 | 61 | 53 | 42 | 234 | 503 | 405 | 277 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:25PM1.75m | 6:56AM1.71m | 7:15PM1.74m | 7:45AM1.75m | 8:04PM1.73m | 8:30AM1.77m | 8:52PM1.71m | 9:14AM1.76m | 9:39PM1.68m | 9:58AM1.72m | 10:25PM1.64m | 10:45AM1.66m | 11:11PM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:45AM0.17m | 1:02PM0.18m | 1:33AM0.22m | 1:52PM0.24m | 2:19AM0.27m | 2:43PM0.29m | 3:05AM0.33m | 3:31PM0.34m | 3:51AM0.39m | 4:19PM0.39m | 4:38AM0.42m | 5:05PM0.42m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 15 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 1055 | 4201 | 2289 | 14 | 1372 | 1248 | 996 | 687 | 361 | 234 | 148 | 103 | 76 | 61 | 53 | 35 | 224 | 503 | 405 | 277 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | E 9 | ENE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | S 16 | S 16 | NE 5 | NE 4 | SE 11 | NE 6 | SE 12 | SE 11 | NNE 4 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 |
| kJ | 33 | 30 | 14 | 1 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 46 | 42 | 17 | 3 | 31 | 5 | 22 | 42 | 2 | 150 | 74 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | — | ENE 8 | SE 11 | E 15 | E 15 | E 8 | NE 11 | E 13 | E 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | E 11 | S 18 | S 17 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 18 | — | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 2 | 24 | 50 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | — | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 5 | WNW 2 | ENE 2 | — | WNW 2 | NE 4 | S 10 | — | — | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 128 | — | — | 1531 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 44 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 234 | — | — | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 0 | 3 | 274 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
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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