Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.6° C
1.5° 

Blacks Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Blacks Reef surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SE swell with 1,127 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. 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 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 23rd Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 29th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 28th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

We've got a solid stretch of surf coming our way at Blacks Reef, but it’s going to be a real mixed bag with some wild, big stuff right at the end. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don't forget the extra rubber.

The action gets going on Thursday morning, July 23rd. It’s a clean start with a light offshore breeze and a 3ft south swell. The period is a nice long 12 seconds, giving the waves some real shape and push. The combined energy is moderate (213), but with that glassy wind, the morning session will be a fun one for everyone. The afternoon sees the swell drop a touch, but it stays clean.

Friday, July 24th, is tiny. The swell drops right off, with a 1ft south swell and a shorter period. The wind is cross-off, but there just isn't enough energy to get excited about.

Saturday, July 25th, is a write-off. The wind swings around and gets nasty, hitting 31 mph in the afternoon with rain. The swell is coming from the east, but it's blown out. Not a day for it.

Sunday, July 26th, brings a big change. A solid 7ft south swell arrives, but the combined energy is a massive 1311, which is strong. The morning has onshore wind and light rain, making it a messy, windy day. The swell is too big for beginners but the conditions are poor.

The start of the next week, from Monday the 27th through Wednesday the 29th, is a frustrating period. The swell stays big, between 6ft and 8ft, with a lot of energy (up to 2020), but it's almost always accompanied by cross-onshore or onshore winds. This translates to choppy, bumpy conditions. There are some salvageable moments, but it's not high quality.

Now, here is the standout. The best window of the whole forecast is Thursday, July 30th. The morning is glassy—absolutely dead calm—with a clean 6ft swell from the ESE. The combined energy is still a solid 937 (moderate), and the period is 12 seconds. This is going to be smooth, lined-up, and perfect. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze. This is the session to book off work for.

Friday, July 31st, is a step down in size, but still clean in the morning. By Saturday, August 1st, the swell fades and the wind turns messy again.

Then, on Sunday, August 2nd, the wind switches back to a light offshore from the NNE, and we get a 6ft east swell. It’s clean and punchy, with a 10-second period. This is another great morning, with the afternoon staying clean and offshore.

The run continues into the start of the next week. Monday, August 3rd, and Tuesday, August 4th, both have clean offshore winds and fun east swells, from 3ft to 4ft. Perfect for a longboard or a funboard.

But hold on. Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, a different beast appears. The forecast shows a 10ft SSW swell hitting with a clean offshore wind. This is big, and the combined energy is 1400. This is for experts only, but it will be a sight to see.

From Wednesday, August 5th, right through to the end of the forecast on Friday, August 7th, the swell gets absolutely massive. We're talking 12ft to 16ft south swells, with combined energy readings hitting 7352. The wind is favorable at times, even glassy on the 6th, but the swell is far too big for Blacks Reef. This is big-wave territory, and this reef break will be a washing machine. Leave this one to the tow crews and the very brave.

So, to sum it up: the first week has some small windows and a lot of wind. The absolute best bet is the glassy morning of Thursday, July 30th. The second week has a great run of clean, fun waves from Sunday, August 2nd, through Tuesday, August 4th morning, before it all turns into a monster.

-Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu morning, strong winds from the SW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
S
12
0.5
S
12
0.4
SSW
10
0.4
S
10
0.4
S
9
0.5
E
11
0.7
E
11
0.8
E
11
2.5
SSW
7
2.1
S
9
2
S
9
1.7
S
8
1.3
ESE
13
1.5
ESE
13
1.7
ESE
14
1.7
ESE
14
1.7
ESE
13
1.8
SE
13
1.7
SE
13
1.7
ESE
13
1.4
SE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
180
75
34
30
26
57
125
157
723
653
623
392
555
808
1019
990
946
1127
996
890
597
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
NE
10
NW
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
N
15
NW
35
WSW
35
SW
15
WSW
25
SSW
20
W
25
SW
30
SW
25
SW
20
SW
20
SW
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
E
10
N
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
12:54PM1.62m
1:14AM1.58m
1:46PM1.61m
2:03AM1.55m
2:36PM1.59m
2:51AM1.51m
3:22PM1.58m
3:37AM1.48m
4:08PM1.56m
4:23AM1.45m
4:53PM1.55m
5:09AM1.43m
5:37PM1.55m
Low Tide
7:08PM0.42m
7:27AM0.42m
8:00PM0.47m
8:15AM0.47m
8:50PM0.50m
9:04AM0.48m
9:37PM0.50m
9:53AM0.48m
10:23PM0.49m
10:40AM0.45m
11:08PM0.46m
11:24AM0.41m
11:53PM0.41m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
 mm
1
3
7
1
1
4
2
Temp °C
12
14
11
15
15
14
12
12
9
8
9
7
9
10
10
9
11
9
11
12
10
Feels °C
9
11
8
11
11
11
6
4
-1
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
6
5
9
9
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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