Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, S swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, S swell with 3,420 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Blacks Reef over the next couple of weeks.
The first few days are small, but the water is a bit colder than normal at 55.8°, so you’ll want a decent suit. The real action starts to build later in the week, with a proper pulse of solid groundswell coming through for the weekend and into the following week. There’s a stretch of poor conditions in the middle there, but the standout is shaping up to be Saturday the 18th and the following Wednesday the 22nd.
Monday the 13th kicks things off with a clean 2.6ft south swell. The morning cross-off wind from the NNW at 6 mph is a bit of a side-winder, but it’s still surfable. The afternoon glass-off with light NNE wind at 3 mph is lovely, clean lines. Energy is moderate (255). Not big, but a nice start.
Tuesday the 14th is smaller, 1.6ft in the morning with a light offshore N wind at 9 mph, but the rain is a bit of a downer. The swell drops to 1.3ft by the afternoon, and the combined energy is weak (62). Ordinary conditions.
Wednesday the 15th is tiny, 1.3ft, with a glassy afternoon – calm SSW wind 0 mph. Pretty waves, but barely a ripple. Energy is weak (50-52). Not worth a paddle.
Thursday the 16th sees a new ESE swell arrive, 2.3-2.6ft, but the wind is a cross-shore WNW at 12 mph, making for a bumpy mess. Energy is moderate (224-369). Poor.
Friday the 17th is a write-off. Onshore wind from the SSW at 16 mph, blowing straight into a 4.9-5.6ft SE swell. Energy is strong (1239-2447). This is a kite surfer’s dream, not a paddle surfer’s. Only for experts if you’re desperate.
Saturday the 18th is the first real standout. The early morning is glassy, wind from the north at 3 mph, with a clean 5.2ft SE groundswell. The combined energy is very strong (1606). The afternoon holds 4.9ft with a light cross-off from the ENE at 6 mph. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the swell is over 4.9ft, so it’s a bit much for beginners. The long period of 14 seconds means proper push and clean lines, though it could be a bit straight at a beach break. The crowd is often here, so expect company.
Sunday the 19th goes south again. Strong onshore SSW wind at 19 mph, 3.0-3.3ft swell, but the period is a massive 18 seconds – a very long groundswell. Energy is strong (1095-1172). The wind just ruins it. Poor.
Monday the 20th is more of the same: onshore SSW wind at 16 mph, a building 6.9ft S swell. Energy is very strong (2024). This is all onshore chop. Marginal at best.
Tuesday the 21st morning has a solid 7.9ft S swell with a 16-second period, making it a very long groundswell. The wind is a light cross-on from the WSW at 6 mph, so not perfect. Energy is extremely strong (3195). This is only for experts, and even then, it’s a handful. The afternoon is 7.2ft with onshore SSW wind. Marginal.
Wednesday the 22nd is the other standout. The morning is glassy, wind from the NNW at 3 mph, with a clean 5.6ft S swell. Energy is strong (846). The afternoon is cross-off from the ENE at 3 mph, 5.6ft SSE swell. The period is 11 seconds, so it’s a solid groundswell with good shape. Over 4.9ft, so not for beginners, but it’s clean and powerful. The crowds are likely to be there.
Thursday the 23rd drops to 5.6ft SSE swell with a cross-shore WSW wind at 6 mph. Light wind ripples. Marginal. The afternoon is onshore SW wind. Energy is moderate (551-825).
Friday the 24th is smaller, 3.3-2.6ft, with light cross-on winds. Energy is weak (271-286). Marginal.
Saturday the 25th is more of the same, 3.3-2.6ft, cross-on wind. Energy is weak (240-282). Poor.
Sunday the 26th morning goes glassy, wind from the west at 0 mph, with a clean 2.6ft SE swell. Good for a fun session. The afternoon is cross-off from the ENE at 9 mph. Energy is weak (242-293).
Monday the 27th has a clean 2.6ft SE swell with offshore NNE wind at 6 mph in the morning, and offshore NE wind at 9 mph in the afternoon. Energy is moderate (320-346).
Tuesday the 28th wraps it up with a 2.0-2.6ft swell, offshore NNE wind at 6 mph in the morning and offshore NE wind at 12 mph in the afternoon. The period is 15-16 seconds, so a
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SE 9 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SSW 12 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | S 18 | S 18 | S 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 135 | 122 | 166 | 73 | 45 | 20 | 48 | 47 | 96 | 196 | 343 | 767 | 1115 | 1438 | 3107 | 1006 | 849 | 511 | 550 | 627 | 1950 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | on | on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:46AM1.78m | 5:14PM1.94m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:14PM1.96m | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | 9:50PM1.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:00AM0.22m | 10:38PM0.19m | 11:01AM0.15m | 11:37PM0.13m | 11:59AM0.08m | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | ESE 9 | S 13 | ESE 8 | NE 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | S 12 | S 10 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 120 | 99 | 166 | 46 | 15 | 20 | 48 | 47 | 96 | 196 | 343 | 767 | 1115 | 1438 | 2380 | 600 | 849 | 511 | 480 | 496 | 409 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 9 | S 12 | SE 8 | ESE 12 | NE 4 | S 16 | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | SSW 16 | S 16 | — | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 18 | S 18 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 135 | 122 | 49 | 73 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 19 | — | 1331 | 1006 | 278 | 135 | 550 | 627 | 480 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | E 15 | SSW 12 | ESE 7 | S 9 | NE 4 | S 15 | S 14 | E 10 | SSW 9 | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | S 23 | S 7 | S 7 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 45 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 40 | 364 | 65 | 49 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 2 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 6 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | 40 | 2 | 2 | — | 5 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 105 | 1009 | 3107 | — | — | — | — | — | 1950 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 9 | 3 | 41 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 79 | 88 | 44 |
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.
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