Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with 4,774 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, your local surf reporter.
Alright, let’s look at what's on the cards for Blacks Reef. The forecast kicks off with a whole lot of nothing good. For the first couple of days, we've got a massive, lumpy, and windy swell that's just not for us. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are write-offs with a big, raw 15ft to 8ft southerly swell, hammered by onshore winds. It's ugly out there, and with the water temperature sitting at a notably cold 54°, it’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year.
The real action, the standout, arrives on Friday the 21st of August. This is your window. We've got a clean 5ft to 5ft groundswell rolling in from the south with a very long period of 13 to 16 seconds, so it's packing proper energy (1346). The wind goes light and cross-offshore, which will put a nice face on the waves. This is excellent for experienced surfers – that long period means the sets will be well-spaced and the shape will be there. The energy is solid (1346), not crazy, but it's quality. You'll want to be on your game.
The wave energy drops right off over the weekend and into early next week. Saturday the 22nd has some clean 4ft leftovers, but it's small. Sunday and Monday are tiny.
Now, the forecast gets interesting again. We're looking at another potential standout in the longer range. On Friday the 28th of August, a fresh 6ft southerly groundswell with a 16-second period and strong energy (1549) arrives. The wind is forecast to be offshore from the NNE, which is ideal for cleaning it up. It's a similar recipe to the 21st – excellent for experienced surfers. This is a promising call, but it's a week away, so keep an eye on it.
Heading into the start of September, there's a huge pulse of swell forecast for the 1st and 2nd, with 12ft southerly swell. However, the notes say it's predicted to be too big for this break, and the wind is messy. That one is a miss.
All in all, the clear winners are the two Friday sessions: the 21st of August and the 28th of August. Get in there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 12 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 13 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5122 | 3274 | 2578 | 2085 | 489 | 381 | 737 | 1226 | 563 | 400 | 259 | 185 | 72 | 48 | 42 | 44 | 337 | 405 | 186 | 477 | 435 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:33AM1.72m | 10:59PM1.67m | 11:22AM1.67m | 11:48PM1.62m | 12:14PM1.62m | 00:35AM1.57m | 1:06PM1.58m | 1:22AM1.51m | 1:56PM1.54m | 2:10AM1.45m | 2:43PM1.52m | 2:58AM1.40m | 3:28PM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:51PM0.34m | 5:15AM0.36m | 5:41PM0.40m | 6:03AM0.41m | 6:30PM0.44m | 6:49AM0.45m | 7:20PM0.47m | 7:35AM0.46m | 8:10PM0.48m | 8:23AM0.46m | 8:57PM0.47m | 9:11AM0.44m | 9:43PM0.43m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — |
mm | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 9 | S 14 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 8 | S 13 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 13 | SSW 16 | S 14 | SSW 12 | S 15 | S 15 |
| kJ | 47 | 619 | 2578 | 238 | 142 | 381 | 737 | 1226 | 563 | 400 | 259 | 185 | 72 | 48 | 27 | 44 | 337 | 405 | 147 | 477 | 435 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 16 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | S 13 | SE 9 | S 16 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 9 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 16 | SE 13 | SE 14 |
| kJ | — | 1211 | 497 | 18 | 161 | 115 | 333 | 120 | 71 | 20 | 11 | 33 | 34 | 42 | 42 | 14 | 45 | 45 | 186 | 42 | 31 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 11 | S 18 | S 17 | SE 10 | — | S 16 | E 15 | ESE 14 | SE 8 | — | NNE 4 | SSW 5 | S 17 | E 11 | NE 3 | SE 13 | E 11 | NNE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 32 | 25 | 204 | 117 | — | 82 | 4 | 19 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 44 | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 12 | — | SSW 13 | S 8 | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 3 | — | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | — | NE 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5122 | 3274 | — | 2085 | 489 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 162 | 9 | 44 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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