
Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, S swell with 2,875 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 12AM. 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 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about Blacks Reef. It’s a reef break, exposed to the south swell, and it’s normally very consistent, but the next week and a half is going to be a tough slog. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a touch cooler than usual for this time of year—nothing crazy, but you’ll feel it.
The first decent window doesn’t show up until Monday 14th September. Before that, it’s a write-off. From now right through Sunday the 13th, it’s poor surf conditions or marginal at best. You’ve got messy winds, onshore slop, and a bunch of rain. The swell is all over the place—short period junk, or weirdly long-period stuff that doesn’t shape up. On the 13th, there’s a big 7 ft to 7 ft S swell with a very long 16 second period, but it’s blowing onshore and choppy. That kind of long period groundswell can work nicely at a reef like this, but not when the wind is trash. The combined energy is huge (2537 and 2131), but it’s not doing you any favours.
The real standout is Monday 14th September afternoon. That’s your pick of the whole outlook. You’ve got a solid 6 ft S swell, 14 second period—proper groundswell, plenty of push. The wind goes cross-off from the ESE at just 9 mph, and the conditions are clean. The combined energy is 1333 (moderate-strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. Crowds are often here, so expect company, but the quality will be worth it. For beginners, that 6 ft is getting up there, maybe a bit much for a first go.
Tuesday 15th keeps some momentum. Morning sees a 5 ft S swell, 13 second period, with light cross-shore wind. It’s marginal for tide, but the afternoon cleans up nicely: 4 ft S swell, 12 second period, cross-off breeze, clean surf. Combined energy (727 morning, 498 afternoon) is moderate. Not a standout like Monday, but a decent session if you’re free.
After that, the outlook gets patchy again. Wednesday 16th is small and messy, Thursday 17th has a 6 ft S swell but the wind picks up, creating a cross-chop. Friday 18th is back to poor conditions. The second week is less certain.
Then, hold onto your board—Monday 21st September morning fires up. You’re looking at a big 10 ft ESE swell with an 11 second period, combined energy of 2366 (strong). The wind is light, cross-off from the north. That’s a lot of water moving. This is for experts only—10 ft is well above beginner territory. The afternoon is the same size, same direction, 12 second period, even cleaner wind, and energy at 2749. This is excellent stuff for the crew that can handle it.
Tuesday 22nd September morning pushes even bigger: 12 ft ESE swell, 12 second period, energy at 3751. The wind is gentle cross-shore. The file says it might be too big for this break, and I’d agree—12 ft at a reef is a serious step up. Only the most experienced locals should even look at it. The afternoon is 12 ft with a 13 second period, energy at 4448, and cross-off breeze. Massive, clean, but only for the hardcore.
So, the standout is Monday 14th September afternoon—clean, solid, well-shaped. The other big call is Monday 21st September for the big-wave chargers. Everything else is either blown out or too small. There’s a long gap of nothing decent from now until the 14th, so sit tight.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 46mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon night, light winds from the SSE by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 21 | S 6 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
312 | 1767 | 1530 | 1133 | 541 | 322 | 227 | 149 | 77 | 52 | 75 | 154 | 248 | 222 | 91 | 190 | 2053 | 2537 | 2131 | 2875 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:15AM1.61m | 2:43PM1.74m | 3:14AM1.61m | 3:41PM1.74m | 4:12AM1.62m | 4:37PM1.75m | 5:08AM1.63m | 5:33PM1.75m | 6:03AM1.67m | 6:25PM1.75m | 6:56AM1.71m | 7:15PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:07PM0.18m | 8:26AM0.16m | 9:05PM0.15m | 9:27AM0.13m | 10:02PM0.13m | 10:25AM0.11m | 10:59PM0.13m | 11:19AM0.11m | 11:53PM0.14m | 12:11PM0.13m | 00:45AM0.17m | 1:02PM0.18m | 1:33AM0.22m | |||||||
— | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | 7 | 35 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 13 | S 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 10 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 |
4 | 3 | 2 | 828 | 541 | 322 | 227 | 149 | 77 | 52 | 33 | 17 | 130 | 62 | 33 | 73 | 2053 | 2537 | 2131 | 2875 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NNE 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 15 | ENE 7 | SE 7 | S 18 | SSW 12 | S 16 | ENE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 |
44 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 28 | 39 | 52 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 75 | 5 | 54 | 222 | 49 | 190 | 60 | 7 | 6 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | — | NE 16 | S 14 | S 13 | E 15 | E 15 | NE 3 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | S 21 | E 9 | S 18 | ESE 5 | S 17 | ENE 8 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | — |
48 | — | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 75 | 6 | 248 | 18 | 91 | 14 | 40 | 14 | 14 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | NW 2 | NW 3 | — | NNE 3 | S 6 | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
312 | 1767 | 1530 | 1133 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 154 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 127 | 89 | 114 | 9 | 3 | 156 | 3 | 9 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 82 |
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.










