Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 24 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.2° C
1.9° 

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 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SSE swell with 2,621 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s period with E 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 (Jul 25) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period. 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sat 25th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 29th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 27th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the surf coming up for Blacks Reef.

The first week or so is a bit of a write-off, to be honest. We’ve got some solid swell rolling in, but the wind is just hammering it. From Saturday the 25th right through to the end of July, it’s mostly onshore, choppy, and messy. The swell’s there, but it’s not gonna be a pretty sight. You’ll see moderate to strong combined wave energy (between 329 and 1994), but it’s all blown out. Not worth paddling out for.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday the 29th of July. Now we’re talking. The wind goes glassy in the morning from the NW, and the water goes flat calm. Swell is a clean 6 ft from the SE with a nice long period of 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, and it’s got some punch with a combined energy of 1099. That’s a moderate to strong energy level, and on a reef break like this, it’s going to set up some nice, lined-up waves. Ideal for the experienced surfer, as it’s on the bigger side. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird there.

The afternoon of the 29th stays clean with a cross-off breeze and 6 ft surf, still good. Thursday the 30th morning is also clean with 5 ft swell from the ESE. That’s your best window: Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. This spot is very consistent, so you can rely on it. The swell direction is from the ESE, but the optimum is from the South – it’s a bit of an angle, but on a longer period swell like that, it’ll still wrap in nicely.

After that, it gets quiet again. Friday the 31st has small 3 ft waves with an offshore wind in the afternoon, but it’s weak. Then from the 1st of August, the wind turns back onshore or cross-shore, and the swell’s all over the place. Not worth it.

The second week is a mixed bag of onshore winds and building swell. There’s a big spike on the 8th of August with a massive 12 ft southerly swell, but the file says it’s too big for this break. The energy is very strong (3939), but with an onshore wind and that size, it’s a washing machine. Only for the kamikaze crew. The 9th of August has a drop to 6 ft from the S with a light cross-on wind, but it’s only marginal.

So, to sum it up: the standout is Wednesday the 29th of July morning. Glassy conditions, 6 ft SE groundswell, and a long 13-second period. That’s your best chance for a clean, lined-up reef session. The 30th morning is also a good second option. The rest of the window is mostly blown out or too big. Crowds are often here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself, but for that Wednesday morning, it’s worth the paddle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri night, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
3
4
3
3
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
E
11
0.8
E
11
0.9
E
11
0.7
SE
16
2.2
SSW
8
2.4
S
8
2.3
S
8
2.5
S
9
2.5
S
9
3
SE
12
2.5
SE
12
2.4
SE
13
2.1
SE
13
1.8
SE
13
1.7
ESE
12
1.6
ESE
12
1.4
ESE
12
1.2
ESE
11
1
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
82
163
202
255
553
746
647
1057
1148
2508
1902
1952
1541
1060
835
746
518
329
251
Wind (km/h)
15
N
10
NW
25
SW
35
SW
25
SW
25
SSW
25
SW
35
SW
30
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
5
S
5
NW
15
ENE
10
NNW
15
NNW
20
NW
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
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
5:56AM1.42m
6:22PM1.55m
Low Tide
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
12:05PM0.37m
00:38AM0.36m
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
 mm
4
6
2
1
1
1
Temp °C
14
12
11
10
9
10
9
8
9
9
10
9
10
11
12
9
12
13
13
Feels °C
11
10
6
2
3
2
2
0
2
3
4
5
7
8
8
5
7
8
9
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  • 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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