Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 7,923 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s 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 (Aug 20) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. 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 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your wetties, let’s get into it.
Look, the next week and a half is a proper write-off for Blacks Reef. We’ve got a massive run of strong, messy winds and big, unruly swell that’s just not gonna line up. From Saturday the 15th right through to the 20th, it’s a no-go. That south wind is howling, and we’re looking at surf in the 8ft to 16ft range, but it’s all blown out, chopped up, and ugly. From Monday the 17th through Wednesday the 19th, we’re talking seriously heavy swell between 13ft and 16ft, with a combined energy reading in the thousands—that’s a lot of power (7470 at its peak), but without clean winds, it’s just a washing machine. Beginners, stay well clear; and even for the experienced crew, it’s going to be a battle with the wind. There’s a bit of a drop on Thursday the 20th, but the cross-onshore wind still has it messy.
Then, finally, a window. Friday the 21st is the standout. After almost a week of nonsense, the wind dies right off. We get glassy conditions with light offshore breezes from the NW and ESE. Swell drops to a clean 5ft to 5ft from the south, but with a period of 12 to 16 seconds, that’s a proper long-period groundswell. The energy is moderate to strong (1013 to 1342), and the water is about 54°, which is nearly 3° cooler than usual for this time of year—a bit nippy, so suit up. This is expert territory, as that long period will make the reef line up nicely, but the paddle out will be manageable. Expect a crowd here, though, because this is the first decent day in ages.
Saturday the 22nd holds up okay with glassy morning conditions and a lighter 3ft to 4ft south swell, but the power drops off (346 to 402). It’ll be clean and fun for a cruiser session, but nothing special.
After that, we hit another flat spell. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th see the swell drop below 2ft, and the energy tanks down into double digits. The following days stay tiny or turn messy again, with another big south wind event kicking back in on Thursday the 27th, pushing 12ft of poor quality surf. There’s a flicker of hope on Sunday the 30th with 8ft south swell and a 16-second period, but it’s onshore wind, and the forecast is “marginal.” Not worth banking on that far out.
So, for the whole 16-day window, the only true green light is Friday the 21st. Get out there for the glassy morning, catch those long, clean lines off the reef, and deal with the crew. Everything else is best left on the land.
Stay stoked, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 49mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
741 | 631 | 307 | 2431 | 3448 | 3459 | 2646 | 1727 | 1373 | 3233 | 7923 | 7355 | 5469 | 5570 | 1672 | 845 | 716 | 778 | 1606 | 1550 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:41PM1.84m | 8:11AM1.75m | 8:31PM1.81m | 9:00AM1.76m | 9:21PM1.76m | 9:46AM1.75m | 10:10PM1.71m | 10:33AM1.72m | 10:59PM1.67m | 11:22AM1.67m | 11:48PM1.62m | 12:14PM1.62m | 00:35AM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:02AM0.11m | 2:17PM0.13m | 2:51AM0.16m | 3:09PM0.20m | 3:39AM0.22m | 4:01PM0.28m | 4:27AM0.30m | 4:51PM0.34m | 5:15AM0.36m | 5:41PM0.40m | 6:03AM0.41m | 6:30PM0.44m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | 4 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | -1 | -3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 11 | E 9 | SE 9 | — | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 |
741 | 631 | 290 | 238 | 268 | 194 | 59 | 62 | 508 | — | 23 | 18 | 42 | — | 1331 | 845 | 716 | 778 | 1606 | 1550 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSW 18 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 15 | SSW 16 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 18 | S 16 | SE 10 | ESE 12 |
25 | 104 | 147 | 44 | 9 | 380 | 162 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 5 | 96 | 246 | 17 | 27 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | — | SSW 17 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 11 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 10 | — |
7 | — | 307 | 70 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 58 | 31 | 6 | 27 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | — | SSW 6 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
160 | — | 228 | 2431 | 3448 | 3459 | 2646 | 1727 | 1373 | 3233 | 7923 | 7355 | 5469 | 5570 | 1672 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 14 | 114 | 143 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 75 | 114 | 170 | 309 | 278 | 169 | 79 | 44 | 93 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 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.











