Blacks Reef surf break

Blacks Reef surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Wednesday 21 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Blacks Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
20.2° C
(Which is 1.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Blacks Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 12 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 22) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 22nd Jan)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 1PM (Thu 22nd Jan)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 1PM (Thu 22nd Jan)11ft (3.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 64mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Wed night, calm by Fri morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat morning, calm by Mon morning).

Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
2
2
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
2
3
1
4
3
3
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
E
1.1
S
1
S
0.9
S
3
E
2.3
E
1.8
E
1.6
E
1.3
E
0.9
E
0.9
ESE
0.8
ESE
1
S
1
S
1.9
SSW
2.1
S
2
S
1.8
S
1.9
S
1.7
S
1.5
S
Period(s) (?)71414131110109999991313121211111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)34149937326420201081600441281127132113165334126912711117804914695467
Wind
(km/h)
25
ENE
30
NE
45
ENE
5
NNW
15
W
15
WNW
15
NW
10
WNW
20
WNW
30
WNW
25
WSW
15
WSW
5
NE
10
NE
15
SW
0
NE
20
ENE
10
NW
15
SW
15
SSE
5
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
glassoffonglasscross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:48PM
1.49
9:08AM
1.62
9:33PM
1.53
9:54AM
1.64
10:17PM
1.57
10:41AM
1.66
11:01PM
1.61
11:29AM
1.67
11:48PM
1.65
12:18PM
1.69
12:39AM
1.69
1:10PM
1.70
1:36AM
1.73
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:41PM
0.28
2:48AM
0.27
3:27PM
0.25
3:35AM
0.25
4:11PM
0.23
4:24AM
0.25
4:57PM
0.23
5:13AM
0.25
5:44PM
0.23
6:05AM
0.27
6:32PM
0.23
6:58AM
0.28
7:23PM
0.24
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Sunrise6:05--6:05--6:07--6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--
Sunset-8:32--8:31--8:31--8:30--8:30--8:30--8:29-
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
Rain (mm)
616411----------1--243-
Temp. °C171720242522252620181917202117201916171716
Feels °C (?)131215262622252517121414182015181514161617
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 12 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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