Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.1° C
1.6° 

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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, S swell with 3,110 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s 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 (Aug 21) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9PM. 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 21st Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 27th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 9PM (Thu 27th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the way for Blacks Reef, so let’s get into it.

The first proper surf of the window kicks off on Friday, August 21, and it’s a ripper. We’re looking at a groundswell from the south, a solid 6ft pushing through with a very long 16 second period. The energy is pumping, with a combined reading of 1914, so you’ll feel that power. Winds are light and cross-off from the NW, keeping the faces clean. This is serious stuff – the water temp is a bit colder than normal at 54°F, so don’t forget a wetsuit. This is a standout session for experienced surfers only; the power and size are no joke.

Saturday morning, the 22nd, drops back to 4ft from the south, still with a decent 12 second period. Winds stay light and cross-off, so it’s clean but the energy is more moderate at 425. It’s a good, manageable wave for the crew that hungrier.

Sunday, the 23rd, is a write-off. The swell drops to barely 2ft and the wind ramps up from the NW at 25 km/h, making it a mess. Best to sit this one out.

Monday, the 24th, brings a new pulse. The morning is messy with a cross-on wind, but keep an eye on the afternoon. The swell jumps to 8ft from the south with a very long 16 second period, and the energy is explosive at 2636. Winds go light and cross, so the shape should be there, but that size is only for the experts again.

Tuesday, the 25th, is a sweet spot. The morning is a bit average, but Tuesday afternoon is a gem. Swell is 4ft from the south with an 11 second period, and the wind goes glassy offshore from the NNE. That’s clean, lined-up surf for the masses.

The following week shows more promise. Thursday, August 27, afternoon is a standout with 5ft south swell, long 17 second period, 1569 energy, and light cross-off easterly winds. Friday, the 28th, holds similar quality with 6ft south swell in the morning, clean conditions, and strong energy.

The real highlight of the second week looks to be Tuesday, September 1. Morning and afternoon both have clean offshore winds, 5ft of south swell with a 14 second period, and solid energy around 774. It’s a long-range call, but it looks promising.

A couple of warnings: Wednesday, September 2, morning has a howling 40 km/h cross-off wind, making it windblown and ugly, but the afternoon cleans up nicely with a 5ft south swell and gentle offshore winds. The following days, September 3 and 4, are a total loss with onshore winds and rain.

The run finishes quietly on September 5 with small 3ft swell and clean conditions, but nothing to get excited about.

Overall, the best bets are the Friday the 21st punch for the experts, and the Tuesday afternoon the 25th for the everyday surfer. The second week’s Tuesday, September 1, is the one to circle on the calendar.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
3
4
1
2
2
1
3
2
2
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
S
16
1.7
S
16
1.4
S
13
1.2
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
13
2.1
SSW
9
2.3
S
16
2
S
13
1.3
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.9
S
11
0.6
S
17
0.9
S
17
0.7
S
15
0.9
SSW
14
1.6
S
17
2.1
S
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1672
1402
653
400
319
189
102
50
43
669
2567
1314
410
284
181
217
481
221
341
1508
2475
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
10
E
10
NNW
10
NNW
5
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
20
NW
15
WNW
15
WSW
10
SE
10
NNW
10
WNW
5
NNE
10
NW
15
NW
5
NW
15
NW
10
WNW
10
E
10
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
High Tide
12:14PM1.62m
00:35AM1.57m
1:06PM1.58m
1:22AM1.51m
1:56PM1.54m
2:10AM1.45m
2:43PM1.52m
2:58AM1.40m
3:28PM1.49m
3:46AM1.38m
4:13PM1.49m
4:33AM1.38m
4:59PM1.50m
Low Tide
6:30PM0.44m
6:49AM0.45m
7:20PM0.47m
7:35AM0.46m
8:10PM0.48m
8:23AM0.46m
8:57PM0.47m
9:11AM0.44m
9:43PM0.43m
10:00AM0.41m
10:29PM0.39m
10:48AM0.36m
11:15PM0.34m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
Temp °C
12
13
10
14
16
12
15
16
12
13
13
10
15
17
13
17
19
12
14
14
10
Feels °C
10
10
6
11
14
7
9
12
8
10
10
6
13
14
10
15
17
7
11
11
8
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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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