Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, S swell with 7,923 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with SE 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 2.0m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer around Blacks Reef.
Right now, the long-range picture is a bit of a mess. We’ve got a solid stretch of onshore gales and huge, messy swell coming in that will shut the place down for nearly a week. But if you’re patient, there’s a nice window of clean, glassy conditions and some proper groundswell to finish the period. It’s a tale of two halves.
The action starts Thursday morning, August 13th. It’s not a massive day, but it’s the best we’ve got early on. A 3 ft SE swell with a moderate 9-second period is pushing in, and the wind is blowing offshore from the NNE. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so you won’t need a thick steamer. The combined energy is moderate at 200. It’s clean, it’s ridable, and it’s a good warm-up. Afternoon drops off a touch to 3 ft, still offshore, but the energy fades.
Friday the 14th is small and ordinary. Morning has a tiny 1 ft SE swell, and by the afternoon it’s a cross-off breeze with a 2 ft wave. It’s surfable if you’re desperate, but honestly, I’d wait.
Saturday the 15th sees a jump in size. The morning brings a 7 ft E swell with moderate energy (581), but the wind is cross-off and the conditions are a bit lumpy. The afternoon is better: 6 ft E swell, clean with a light breeze, and the energy is still moderate (491). It’s a solid option if you’re keen for a paddle.
Then the wheels fall off. From Sunday the 16th through to Wednesday the 19th, it’s a complete write-off. Strong onshore winds from the SW and SSW, huge swell heights from 8 ft up to 15 ft, and short, nasty periods. The combined energy is through the roof—836 on Sunday, 2902 that afternoon, and peaking at 7950 on Wednesday afternoon. That’s a lot of raw power, but it’s all blown out and ugly. This is not paddle surfing; this is for the kites and the foil crew only. Beginners stay well clear. The period on Wednesday afternoon is a very long 16 seconds, but with the wind howling onshore, it’s just a washing machine.
Thursday the 20th offers a bit of relief. The swell drops to 10 ft from the S with a 13-second period, and the wind switches to a light cross-onshore from the W. The energy is still very strong at 5491. It’s marginal, but it’s the first day in a week that’s not completely hopeless. The afternoon is smaller at 8 ft, with a light onshore breeze, but still a bit average.
Friday the 21st is nothing special. A 6 ft S swell with a 11-second period, light cross-shore wind, and dropping energy. It’s still marginal.
Now, here’s the standout. Saturday the 22nd of August morning. The swell drops to a clean 3 ft from the S, but the period is a very long 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. The wind is light from the NW, cross-off, and the forecast says “very good surf conditions.” The combined energy is moderate at 667. This is the one to circle. It’ll be clean, the sets will have some push, and the long period means the lines will be well-defined. It’s a reef break, so it should handle that long period nicely. Crowds are often here, so expect some company. The afternoon is a bit smaller with a cross-shore breeze, but still fun.
Sunday the 23rd is a smaller, cleaner day with a 4 ft S swell and light winds. Good for a longboard or a grovel board.
Monday the 24th afternoon looks interesting again. The swell picks up to 5 ft from the SSW, period is short at 8 seconds, but the wind is clean and cross-off. The energy is moderate (626) and the forecast is “very good surf conditions.” This could be a fun session.
Tuesday the 25th is another solid pick. Morning has a 6 ft S swell, moderate 10-second period, and a gentle offshore from the NNE. The energy is moderate (796). Afternoon is 5 ft, still offshore, and clean. Both sessions are rated as very good.
After that, Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th drop off hard. The swell gets small, the wind gets messy, and the energy fades. By Friday the 28th, it’s a tiny 2 ft S swell with a long 14-second period, but the wind is cross-shore and choppy. Not worth the drive.
So, the best bet is Saturday the 22nd morning. Clean, long-period groundswell at 3 ft from the S, light offshore winds, and Blacks Reef handling it beautifully. After that, Monday the 24th afternoon and Tuesday the 25th are the next best calls.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 57mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 8°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Sat night, strong winds from the SW by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | S 15 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSW 6 | SSW 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
242 | 155 | 82 | 69 | 20 | 36 | 18 | 529 | 427 | 450 | 490 | 2729 | 4481 | 3798 | 3627 | 3647 | 2793 | 2721 | 5426 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 5:26AM1.71m | 5:54PM1.87m | 6:24AM1.72m | 6:49PM1.87m | 7:19AM1.73m | 7:41PM1.84m | 8:11AM1.75m | 8:31PM1.81m | 9:00AM1.76m | 9:21PM1.76m | 9:46AM1.75m | 10:10PM1.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:18PM0.11m | 11:39AM0.06m | 00:16AM0.09m | 12:32PM0.05m | 1:11AM0.09m | 1:24PM0.08m | 2:02AM0.11m | 2:17PM0.13m | 2:51AM0.16m | 3:09PM0.20m | 3:39AM0.22m | 4:01PM0.28m | |||||||
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | |
mm | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 5 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 1 | -2 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 11 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 10 |
242 | 155 | 82 | 69 | 20 | 36 | 18 | 17 | 427 | 450 | 203 | 173 | 92 | 90 | 117 | 50 | 1758 | 439 | 95 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 14 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 19 | S 18 | SSW 17 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | E 9 | — | SE 10 | — |
52 | 28 | 42 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 7 | 28 | 57 | 92 | 143 | — | — | — | — | 43 | — | 188 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 15 | S 19 | SE 13 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
17 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | SSW 6 | SSW 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 |
25 | 31 | 66 | 196 | 165 | 149 | 496 | 529 | — | — | 490 | 2729 | 4481 | 3798 | 3627 | 3647 | 2793 | 2721 | 5426 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 143 | 139 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 79 | 114 | 162 | 91 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











