Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
13.3° C
1.0° 

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: Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SE swell with 1,235 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 1.6m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 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)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 18th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 17th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 15s

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


Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming down the line for Blacks Reef. This is a south-facing reef break, and it’s a very consistent wave that’s beginner-friendly – but it can get mean when the size picks up. The water is sitting at 13° which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want that extra rubber.

Right now, we’re in a flat, ugly spell. The first few days are a total write-off. Friday the 10th is a rain-swept mess with a 12 ft SSE swell and a 30 km/h cross-onshore wind. The wave energy is huge at 2629 but the quality is garbage – lumpy and blown out. That continues right through the weekend. Saturday the 11th sees a drop in size to around 7 ft but the wind swings onshore and the conditions are marginal at best. Sunday the 12th drops further to under 3 ft, though we do see a very long-period 15-second groundswell from the south. With light morning winds, it might be rideable, but it’s a weak 676 energy – more of a longboard drift.

Monday the 13th is where we finally see a glimmer. The swell drops to 3 ft from the south, but the wind goes light and offshore from the north. That’s a clean little wave with 269 energy. It’s small, but if you’re keen for a wobbly knee-to-waist-high session, that’s your window. Tuesday and Wednesday have even smaller surf – 2 ft and 1 ft – with very light winds and some glassy moments. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re on a foamie.

Now, Thursday the 16th looks weird. We get a long-period 18-second SE swell at 3 ft, but it’s coming with a 20 km/h cross-shore wind. 468 energy and a cross-chop – not great. Friday the 17th is a no-go: 5 ft to 6 ft SE swell but a fresh 30-35 km/h cross-onshore wind that’ll have the surface looking like a washing machine. Energy is over 1200 but the wind ruins it.

The first true standout arrives Saturday the 18th. This is the best of the first week. A solid 6 ft south swell with a nice 11 to 12-second period, and the wind shifts to a light offshore from the northwest. Energy is strong at 1501 and conditions are clean. This is when experienced surfers should be on it. The reef will have some push – not huge, but quality. Keep an eye on the tide.

After that, Sunday the 19th turns nasty. A massive 10 ft south swell arrives with an insane 6210 energy, but it’s accompanied by 50 km/h onshore winds and rain. That’s a survival mission, not a surf. That stormy weather and big, messy swell hang around through Monday and Tuesday the 20th and 21st.

The real magic happens Wednesday the 22nd through the end of the outlook. On Wednesday the 22nd, we’ve got a 8 ft south swell hitting with glassy conditions in the afternoon. Energy is 1623, period is 12 seconds. The word “glassy” says it all – that’s the one. Get on it. Thursday the 23rd holds similar quality with 6 ft to 6 ft SSE swell, again glassy, and light winds. Friday the 24th has clean offshore winds with 6 ft SSE swell – still very good. Saturday the 25th is a bit smaller at 4 ft, but it’s still clean with a moderate offshore breeze.

For the long-range stuff, Wednesday the 22nd afternoon is the standout. That’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on the forecasts, but it looks like a gem. The following days through to the 25th are all very good to good, so you’ve got a solid run of clean, punchy reef waves on offer.

The early part is a bust. Once the wind gets out of the south and swings offshore, Blacks Reef will wake up. Don’t waste your time before the 18th unless you’re after a tiny, clean paddle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
SSE
10
2.3
SE
10
2.2
SE
9
1.9
SE
9
0.8
S
16
0.9
S
15
1
S
13
0.9
S
12
0.9
SE
9
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
13
0.5
S
12
0.4
SE
8
0.3
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
12
0.6
ESE
15
0.9
SE
18
1.4
SE
16
1.6
SE
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2304
992
822
606
338
343
345
216
133
122
166
73
17
20
53
49
54
152
444
1014
1171
Wind (km/h)
30
S
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
10
WSW
10
SSW
10
N
10
N
10
NNE
15
NNE
15
N
5
N
10
NW
5
NW
5
E
15
NW
20
WNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
30
SW
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
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
7:42AM1.78m
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
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
<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
5:06
 mm
2
2
1
1
2
4
Temp °C
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
8
13
15
12
15
17
13
15
16
13
15
15
11
10
Feels °C
4
3
5
6
6
7
7
5
9
12
9
12
15
11
13
14
10
11
12
5
1
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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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