Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, S swell with 3,794 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me wrestle this forecast for Blacks Reef. It's a trusty reef break, soaking up any south swell, and the water temp is hanging right around average for this time of year.
The next few days have some potential, but the wind is the boss. Saturday, August 29th, we've got a light NNE offshore breeze keeping things tidy. Swell is a modest 3ft from the south, a long 12-second period, and the energy is moderate (270). It's not going to blow your mind, but it'll be clean and fun for a beginner. You'll have company though – it's usually busy.
Sunday the 30th is a total dud. Moderate cross-onshore winds will churn up a tiny 2ft to 2ft swell. Just stay home.
Monday the 31st is a wild card. A big 8ft south-southwest swell shows up with a very long 17-second period. That's deep ocean energy, measuring a massive 2947. The morning has offshore wind, but the forecast flags some tide or condition issues. The afternoon drops to 7ft but gets a cross-onshore wind. This is strictly for the experts – the size and power are too much for beginners. That long period will make it a dream on this reef, though.
Tuesday, September 1st, is a complete disaster. Strong onshore winds and rain, with the swell building to 10ft. Energy is over 3400, but the wind will make it a battle. Not worth a look.
Now, the main event. Wednesday, September 2nd is the session to lock in. Morning has an 8ft south swell with a light offshore wind from the NNW. Clean. The afternoon is even better: 10ft of south swell with a 16-second period, and light offshore winds. Energy is a powerful 3794. This is excellent, powerful, clean surf for experienced surfers. The long period means you'll get plenty of rest between sets, making the paddle out manageable.
Thursday the 3rd steps down a notch. A solid 6ft south swell, still a long period, but the wind shifts and brings some cross-chop. Still surfable, just not the same quality.
Looking into the second week, there are a few more pulses. Saturday, September 6th has another excellent window: a 8ft south swell with a very long 16-second period and light offshore winds. Energy is strong (2633). Another power session for the confident crew.
Wednesday the 9th brings a return to cleaner conditions with a moderate 4ft south swell and offshore wind. Not huge, but clean and fun. Thursday the 10th afternoon is a great little gem: a 5ft south swell with glassy, flat-calm conditions. That's pure luxury.
Later, on September 11th, a big 10ft swell rolls in, but the period is short (8-9 seconds) and the wind is cross-offshore. It'll be lumpy and powerful – for experts only. The energy is still strong (over 1280).
After that, it fades with onshore winds and dropping swell. The 13th offers one more chance with a 4ft south swell and offshore wind, but it's not much.
The real standouts are clear: Wednesday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 6th are the heavy hitters. Powerful south groundswells, clean offshore winds, and built for experienced surfers. The rest of the 16-day window is either too small, too windy, or too raw. Don't miss Wednesday the 2nd.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Mon night, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | S 9 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
350 | 216 | 202 | 154 | 78 | 34 | 63 | 2947 | 656 | 1471 | 1281 | 3393 | 2466 | 2130 | 3794 | 3107 | 1196 | 663 | 285 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 6:11AM1.46m | 6:33PM1.57m | 6:58AM1.52m | 7:20PM1.62m | 7:44AM1.59m | 8:05PM1.66m | 8:29AM1.65m | 8:52PM1.69m | 9:13AM1.70m | 9:40PM1.69m | 9:59AM1.73m | 10:30PM1.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:03AM0.30m | 12:17PM0.28m | 00:49AM0.26m | 1:02PM0.25m | 1:35AM0.24m | 1:48PM0.24m | 2:20AM0.23m | 2:37PM0.24m | 3:05AM0.23m | 3:28PM0.25m | 3:52AM0.23m | 4:20PM0.25m | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | S 9 | S 12 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
350 | 216 | 202 | 154 | 78 | 34 | 71 | 41 | 656 | 1471 | 21 | 9 | 2466 | 2130 | 3794 | 3107 | 1196 | 663 | 285 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | SSW 5 | NE 9 | S 16 | ENE 9 | — | S 24 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
7 | 27 | 25 | 32 | 12 | 28 | 15 | 97 | 620 | 16 | — | 11 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 13 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | NE 6 | SSW 14 | — | NE 9 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 27 | 20 | 39 | 15 | 9 | 63 | — | 19 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SW 3 | SW 4 | NW 2 | SSW 17 | — | WNW 3 | SSW 12 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 4 | NW 3 |
45 | 36 | 24 | 64 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2947 | — | 7 | 1281 | 3393 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 16 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 91 | 3 | 156 | 103 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 33 |
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.











