Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, S swell with 2,083 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. The only spot worth talkin’ about for the next couple weeks is Blacks Reef, a beginner-friendly reef that usually stays clean when the wind behaves. Water temp is nothing special – about average for this time of year, so no need to layer up.
We kick off Saturday morning, August 22nd. Clean 1.3m swell from the south, 12-second period, light cross-off wind from the northwest at 10 km/h. The combined energy is moderate at 496 – real nice for a learner. The afternoon goes glassy, 1.1m and dead calm wind. That afternoon session is butter.
Sunday the 23rd is a bust – wind rips up to 25 km/h from the NW, and the swell drops off. Save your energy.
Monday the 24th morning packs a punch with a 2.3m SSW swell, but it’s cross and a little lumpy. The afternoon though? That’s the goods. 1.8m, 14-second period, combined energy at 1260, and a clean cross-off from the east. This is for the crew who know what they’re doin’.
Tuesday the 25th keeps it clean – 1.4m in the mornin’ with light cross-off, and then the afternoon goes dead glassy with a 1.2m south swell. Perfect for a longboard.
Wednesday the 26th is a slow one – long period but just 0.7m, no power. Skip it.
Thursday the 27th is your first real standout: 2.0m from the south at 14 seconds, combined energy at 1649, and a light cross-off from the NNW. That’s big, clean, and powerful. The afternoon goes glassy with 1.7m – still excellent for the experienced.
Friday the 28th starts glassy with 1.1m but a 16-second period – very long lines for the reef. The afternoon gets a bit fickle with a NE breeze, but it’s still rideable.
The weekend of the 29th and 30th is small and choppy – not worth a paddle.
Monday the 31st has a 2.2m short-period SSW swell with onshore wind – more of a kite day.
Tuesday the 1st of September morning is messy, but the afternoon cleans right up – 1.5m from the south, 10-second period, light easterly cross-off and clean. Solid for a Tuesday.
Now, Wednesday the 2nd of September goes huge – 3.5m in the morning, 5.0m in the afternoon. Too big for this spot, even if the wind is okay. Leave it to the jet skis.
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are total washouts – 35 to 40 km/h onshore winds. Zero chance.
Saturday the 5th morning offers a clean 1.4m from the SSW with light cross-off, but it’s a short window. Sunday the 6th morning shows 2.0m from the south at 12 seconds with light cross-winds – marginal but could surprise.
The real highlights are Thursday the 27th morning and the afternoon of Tuesday the 1st of September. Circle those.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 653 | 472 | 319 | 189 | 102 | 48 | 43 | 809 | 1225 | 1620 | 593 | 404 | 188 | 290 | 326 | 2083 | 1630 | 1163 | 600 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:35AM1.57m | 1:06PM1.58m | 1:22AM1.51m | 1:56PM1.54m | 2:10AM1.45m | 2:43PM1.52m | 2:58AM1.40m | 3:28PM1.49m | 3:46AM1.38m | 4:13PM1.49m | 4:33AM1.38m | 4:59PM1.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:49AM0.45m | 7:20PM0.47m | 7:35AM0.46m | 8:10PM0.48m | 8:23AM0.46m | 8:57PM0.47m | 9:11AM0.44m | 9:43PM0.43m | 10:00AM0.41m | 10:29PM0.39m | 10:48AM0.36m | 11:15PM0.34m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 5 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 17 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 5 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 10 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 |
| kJ | 653 | 472 | 319 | 189 | 102 | 48 | 14 | 329 | 1225 | 1620 | 593 | 404 | 188 | 100 | 326 | 2083 | 1630 | 1163 | 600 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | NE 5 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | S 18 | S 15 | S 17 | S 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 17 |
| kJ | 43 | 20 | 7 | 33 | 34 | 5 | 43 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 27 | 55 | 161 | 290 | 78 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 459 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | E 15 | ESE 14 | SE 8 | — | SE 13 | SSE 9 | S 18 | NE 11 | ESE 13 | NNE 5 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | SE 13 | — | — |
| kJ | 129 | 4 | 19 | 3 | — | 44 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 34 | 2 | 26 | 15 | 27 | 26 | — | 7 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NNE 3 | — | NW 3 | N 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | SSW 9 | — | NNE 4 | NW 3 | — | — | NW 3 | SSW 6 | — | — | ENE 4 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | 9 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 809 | — | 11 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 33 | — | — | 11 | 12 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 33 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 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.
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