Blacks Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 177.80° E

Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 08 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Blacks Reef sea temperature is
12.3° C
1.6° 

Blacks Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Blacks Reef surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, S swell with 911 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 08) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Blacks Reef in the next 16 days are 1.8m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sat 8th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 12s
Best Surf 3PM (Sat 8th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 12s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 8th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Blacks Reef over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here, your local surf reporter. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Blacks Reef in the coming weeks.

Blacks Reef is a reef break that's very consistent and exposed to the south swell. The water temperature is sitting at 54°, which is a fair bit colder than normal for this time of year, so a good steamer is a must.

We've got a decent run of surf coming up. The first one to look at is Saturday morning, the 8th of August. We've got a 7ft south swell rolling in with a 12-second period, packing a solid 1263 combined energy. The wind is a light cross-off from the northwest, keeping things clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but with that size and power, it's only for the crew who know what they're doing. The crowd factor is often, so expect company.

Sunday morning, the 9th, we see the swell drop to 4ft from the south, still with a good 11-second period. The wind is a light cross-off from the north, so it's still clean. The afternoon brings a nice offshore from the north-northeast, making for some clean, gentle faces at 3ft with a longer 13-second period. A solid option for the weekend.

The middle of the week from Monday the 10th through to Thursday the 13th is pretty ordinary. The swell drops, the wind turns onshore or cross-shore, and the wave energy is weak. There's not much to get excited about here.

Now, let's talk about the real standout. On Monday morning, the 17th of August, we get a proper pulse. A 10ft swell from the south-southwest, with a 9-second period, and a massive 1276 combined energy. The wind is a light cross-off from the northwest, keeping it clean. This is excellent surf, but it's expert territory only at that size. The energy is significant, and the sets will be packing a punch.

The following week starts to get interesting again. On Saturday morning, the 22nd of August, the wind is glassy from the north-northeast, with an 8ft south-southeast swell and an 11-second period. The combined energy is a solid 1428. This is top-tier, clean, and powerful. The afternoon holds the same size with a gentle cross-off breeze. That Saturday is the pick of the second week.

There's a bit of a gap after that, with the surf fading again into Sunday the 23rd.

So, the absolute best on offer is the Monday the 17th for the big, clean, powerful swell, and that glassy Saturday the 22nd for clean, fun waves. Don't bother with the small, windy days in between.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
3
2
0
1
0
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
S
12
1.8
S
12
1.5
S
11
1.3
S
11
0.9
S
13
1.2
S
12
0.9
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
12
1.1
SSE
12
1.1
SSE
11
1.3
SSE
10
1.3
SSE
10
1.2
SE
9
0.8
SE
8
0.5
S
10
0.4
SSE
9
0.3
SSE
9
0.2
ESE
14
1.1
E
8
1.2
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1233
911
553
388
289
404
173
163
131
317
290
352
284
242
95
51
28
18
19
149
205
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
10
ENE
10
NNW
10
N
15
NNE
15
NNW
15
WNW
5
SSW
15
W
10
WSW
10
S
10
NNE
15
NNE
20
NE
20
NNE
20
NE
25
NE
15
NNE
10
NNE
20
NE
15
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross
High Tide
1:01PM1.74m
1:29AM1.67m
2:00PM1.77m
2:29AM1.68m
2:59PM1.81m
3:29AM1.69m
3:57PM1.84m
4:28AM1.70m
4:56PM1.86m
5:26AM1.71m
5:54PM1.87m
6:24AM1.72m
6:49PM1.87m
Low Tide
7:22PM0.29m
7:41AM0.25m
8:22PM0.24m
8:41AM0.22m
9:21PM0.19m
9:43AM0.16m
10:20PM0.15m
10:43AM0.10m
11:18PM0.11m
11:39AM0.06m
00:16AM0.09m
12:32PM0.05m
1:11AM0.09m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
 mm
1
4
1
2
7
2
Temp °C
11
12
10
13
13
12
14
14
11
11
11
10
13
12
12
15
16
14
17
13
12
Feels °C
8
8
6
10
10
9
11
12
8
8
9
8
9
8
8
12
13
11
15
10
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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