Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, S swell with 4,042 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s 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 (Sep 11) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 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 team, let’s talk waves for this stretch. We've got one break to watch, and it’s gonna take a bit of patience before the good stuff shows.
The week starts pretty flat, so don’t rush. The first real chance to get wet is Monday the 14th, with a clean 2.1m S swell and an offshore breeze. The water’s sitting at 13°, a touch colder than normal, so zip up. Energy is solid (1294). That morning session is the pick for a clean, confident wave. The afternoon still looks clean with a cross-off wind.
Tuesday the 15th is smaller, 1.3m S swell early with glassy conditions. It’s mellow, and the energy is lower (418). Fine for a cruiser. Wednesday the 16th is even smaller, glassy but weak.
Now for the real deal – look to the weekend starting Saturday the 19th. The 18th is blown out, but Saturday morning is a monster: 3.0m S swell with a super long 19-second period and a huge 5864 energy reading. This is groundswell, powerful, and the wind is light and cross. This is expert territory. The afternoon cleans up nicely. Sunday the 20th still offers a solid 1.6m S swell with clean winds. Good for someone with experience.
Looking further out, Thursday the 24th afternoon shows 2.5m S swell, clean cross-off, and strong energy (3279). Then Friday the 25th morning has a massive 3.5m S groundswell with glassy, calm conditions – the forecast says it could be too big for this spot, so big-wave hunters only. The afternoon and into Saturday the 26th keeps pumping solid 3 to 3.0m S swell with clean winds. Epic potential for those who can handle it.
“Blacks Reef” is a very consistent reef, so crowds are likely. For the cleanest, more manageable solid surf, Monday the 14th is your best bet. For size and power, the 19th and 25th are standouts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 19 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 182 | 318 | 222 | 283 | 1055 | 4042 | 2424 | 1590 | 1109 | 1420 | 1127 | 675 | 375 | 249 | 151 | 106 | 84 | 61 | 49 | 40 | 52 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:33PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.67m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:19AM0.11m | 11:53PM0.14m | 12:11PM0.13m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 12 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 94 | 106 | 47 | 283 | 1055 | 4042 | 2424 | 14 | 1109 | 1420 | 1127 | 675 | 375 | 249 | 151 | 106 | 84 | 61 | 49 | 40 | 52 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | ENE 8 | S 6 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | E 9 | E 12 | E 11 | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | NE 4 | E 12 | NE 4 | S 14 | S 14 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 182 | 318 | 222 | 14 | 50 | 30 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 45 | 19 | 16 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 10 | ENE 12 | E 12 | — | E 13 | E 9 | ENE 13 | E 12 | E 12 | S 13 | SSW 13 | NE 4 | S 8 | S 13 |
| kJ | 26 | 26 | 12 | 5 | 33 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 3 | — | 4 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 2 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NW 3 | NE 5 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 2 | NW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 87 | — | — | — | 1590 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 17 | 22 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 79 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 188 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 33 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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