Surf Forecasts:
Blacks Reef surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, S swell with 2,615 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with SSW 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 (Aug 24) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 2.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down for the imperial crew. Blacks Reef has a solid run of surf coming, but you’ll need to pick your moments.
Starting Saturday the 22nd of August. The water’s a bit colder than normal for the season, about 54°, so that’s a 3° chill – you’ll want a wetsuit. Saturday morning serves up 4ft of south swell, 12-second period, with light cross-off winds. The energy is moderate at 496. By afternoon, it goes glassy with 4ft south swell – that’s the kind of smooth, clean surface that gets you stoked. Good beginner-friendly day.
Sunday the 23rd is a bummer. Clouds move in, wind jumps to 25 mph, and the swell drops to 2ft and then 2ft. Energy is weak (138 and 94). Not worth the paddle.
Monday the 24th is where the magic happens. Morning brings a beefy 8ft swell from the SSW, but it’s short-period at 9 seconds and a cross breeze, so it’s messy and too big for beginners. The real standout is Monday afternoon: a 7ft south swell with a very long 14-second period, pounding energy at 2049. Winds are light cross-off, keeping it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and the long period at a reef will give you power and shape. Best of the first week.
Tuesday the 25th stays clean with 5ft and 4ft south swells, and Tuesday afternoon turns glassy. Easy, fun. Wednesday the 26th is small but glassy in the afternoon with 3ft. Thursday the 27th morning ramps up to 6ft from the south with a 16-second period and very clean conditions – another excellent window for the experienced crew, with strong energy (1684). Friday the 28th keeps it going with 4ft and 5ft south swells, clean and offshore.
Second week fades. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th have dropping swell and rising wind, only 4ft and 3ft. Monday the 31st turns onshore and choppy. Tuesday the 1st of September has a promising 5ft south swell with a very long 16-second period and clean conditions, but the wind is moderate, so it’s a gamble. The rest of the week is mostly messy with cross-onshore winds, though Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th offer small, clean windows. Saturday the 5th afternoon goes glassy with a tiny 2ft swell but a very long 16-second period – a fun little session.
Best call: Monday the 24th afternoon with 7ft, 14-second south swell and clean cross-off wind. Thursday the 27th morning is a close second with 6ft and a 16-second period. Rest is a mix of clean small days and choppy slop. For a consistent reef, it’s a mixed bag, but there are plenty of good waves if you’re picky.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 17 | S 16 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 472 | 319 | 189 | 104 | 50 | 43 | 975 | 2004 | 1809 | 603 | 403 | 231 | 293 | 330 | 579 | 1672 | 1314 | 1663 | 521 | 712 | 485 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:22AM1.41m | 5:47PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:32AM0.32m | 00:03AM0.30m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 4 | SSW 9 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 16 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 472 | 319 | 189 | 104 | 50 | 10 | 422 | 2004 | 1809 | 603 | 403 | 231 | 122 | 330 | 579 | 1672 | 1314 | 1663 | 521 | 712 | 485 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | NE 4 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | S 17 | S 15 | S 17 | S 10 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | S 18 | E 10 | S 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 |
| kJ | 20 | 7 | 33 | 34 | 5 | 43 | 34 | 45 | 59 | 27 | 52 | 115 | 293 | 67 | 23 | 12 | 304 | 19 | 496 | 21 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | ESE 14 | SE 8 | — | SE 13 | SSE 9 | S 18 | — | ESE 13 | NNE 5 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | — | NE 4 | — | NE 9 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 19 | 3 | — | 44 | 17 | 26 | — | 34 | 2 | 16 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 37 | — | — | 4 | — | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | N 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | SSW 9 | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | NNE 4 | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 9 | 8 | 17 | 4 | 975 | — | 13 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 33 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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