Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
13.1° C
1.2° 

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 10 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,304 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 12th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Thu 16th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 18s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 10th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Well, it’s a pretty grim start for Blacks Reef. This is a reef setup that’s exposed to the south, and right now the water is sitting at 56° – that’s a bit colder than what we’d normally expect for this time of year, so you’ll want a good wetsuit. We’re looking at a solid run of poor to marginal conditions for the first week and a half. The swell is there, but it’s pretty messy. Friday the 10th we’ve got a 13ft swell from the SSE, but it’s onshore at 22 mph, which is just a washing machine – total write-off. That swell energy is pumping at 3496 (strong) but with those winds, it’s a no-go for a paddle. Saturday the 11th drops to 7ft from the SE, but still with onshore wind, so it’s only marginal. The good news is that by Sunday the 12th, the wind eases, and we get a very long-period 15-second groundswell from the S, but it’s only 3ft. That’s clean, cross-onshore, and the energy is weak (695). There’s a little window early Monday the 13th with a clean 3ft S swell and light offshore wind, but it’s tiny. We’re basically looking at a gap of nearly nine days with nothing really worth chasing.

Now, hold on to your board, because things shift hard. Wednesday the 22nd July is the standout of the whole outlook. The morning brings a proper 7ft S swell with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 3176 (strong). The wind is light and cross-offshore, so it’s clean. This is a reef spot, and that long-period groundswell is going to wrap in beautifully – perfect for the experienced crew. That’s a solid wave. The morning is marked as excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon holds at 6ft from the S with a 14-second period, still clean. Crowds are noted as “often” here, so expect company, but it’s worth it.

Following that, Thursday the 24th July is another cracker. We’ve got a 8ft E swell, period around 9 seconds, and a gusty offshore wind from the NE at 19 mph in the afternoon. The morning is excellent for experienced surfers. The combined energy is 1212 (moderate to strong). That 8ft is getting into the “too big for beginners” zone, but it’s clean and offshore. The wind picks up in the afternoon, but it’s still offshore, so it’s manageable.

The 25th July still has some life, with 6ft from the E and light offshore winds, but by then the energy is dropping. For this whole second week, the winds are much better, mostly offshore or cross-off.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a total write-off. Don’t bother. The second week is where it’s at. Wednesday 22nd July is the pick of the lot – a solid, long-period S swell with clean conditions. Thursday 24th July is a close second, with a bigger E swell and offshore winds. If you’re an experienced surfer, those are your days.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Fri morning, light winds from the S by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
10
2.3
SE
10
2.2
SE
9
1.9
SE
9
1.7
SE
9
1
S
15
0.9
S
13
1.1
SE
10
0.9
SE
9
0.7
S
10
0.7
S
13
0.5
S
12
0.4
S
11
0.3
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
11
0.6
ESE
12
0.6
ESE
12
0.5
SE
19
1.5
SE
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3207
2304
948
822
606
471
435
280
207
130
90
168
73
37
20
41
44
96
94
173
1187
Wind (km/h)
35
S
30
S
25
SSW
20
S
10
SW
15
SSW
10
WSW
5
S
10
N
10
N
15
NE
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
N
10
NNW
5
NW
5
E
5
NW
5
NW
0
ESE
15
W
Wind State
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
1:22PM1.70m
1:49AM1.70m
2:19PM1.77m
2:46AM1.73m
3:16PM1.84m
3:46AM1.75m
4:14PM1.90m
4:46AM1.78m
5:14PM1.94m
5:45AM1.79m
6:14PM1.96m
6:44AM1.79m
7:11PM1.96m
Low Tide
7:39PM0.34m
8:00AM0.29m
8:39PM0.30m
8:58AM0.26m
9:39PM0.25m
10:00AM0.22m
10:38PM0.19m
11:01AM0.15m
11:37PM0.13m
11:59AM0.08m
00:36AM0.09m
12:53PM0.04m
1:34AM0.06m
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:00
5:01
5:01
5:02
5:04
5:04
5:05
 mm
3
2
2
2
Temp °C
11
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
9
13
15
12
15
15
13
15
15
13
14
14
12
Feels °C
4
4
4
5
6
6
7
8
6
10
11
8
12
12
11
14
13
11
13
13
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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