Black Rocks Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Black Rocks Jetty, a consistent reef break that handles the south-west swells we’re about to see. The water’s around 77°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might get away with a slightly thinner suit.

The period kicks off Wednesday morning, August 19th, with small but clean 3ft S swell at 11 seconds. The wind is glassy from the WNW, so it’ll look pretty but you’ll be working for the few waves that roll through. The combined energy is weak (263). Wednesday arvo drops to 2ft but the period lengthens to 14 seconds; that’s a longer-period groundswell, and with cross-off wind it’ll be clean but small.

Thursday, August 20th, stays small – 3ft in the morning, dropping to 2ft by afternoon – but both sessions are glassy. The period hits 15 and 16 seconds, meaning really long lines, but at beach breaks that can break too straight. Here at this reef, it should shape up nicely for the more experienced surfer. Energy is moderate (350 to 349).

Friday, August 21st, sees a jump to 4ft SW swell, period still 14 seconds, but the winds turn onshore and the comment flags marginal conditions. The energy picks up (611 and 596) but the quality drops: I’d sit this one out if you can. The next two days, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd, are where the window opens. Saturday morning shows 5ft SW swell with glassy WNW wind and strong energy (901). Sunday morning is the real standout: 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, glassy offshore wind, and the energy cranks to 2155 – excellent surf for experienced crew. This is the best of the first week. The swell direction (SW) lines up perfectly with the optimum direction for this break, and the glassy wind means clean, powerful waves. Crowds are listed as “sometimes”, so you might share it, but early doors it’ll be worth it.

Monday, August 24th, keeps that quality going: 8ft SSW swell, 14 seconds, glassy WNW wind, energy at 2038. Still an expert-only day given the size. Tuesday 25th drops back to 5ft but stays glassy, so a slight step down but still very good.

Now, Wednesday 26th through Friday 28th take a turn. The swell jumps hard: 8ft on Wednesday, pushing to 15ft by Friday, with massive energy readings (3598 to 11214). But the wind swings cross-onshore and strong, up to 16 mph from the SSE, so the ocean will be chopped up and messy. This stretch is better left to the kite surfers – the wave state is “moderate cross-onshore and choppy” and the comments say poor. Thursday afternoon is especially nasty: 13ft, 19-second period, 10381 energy, but 16 mph cross-onshore wind. It’s raw power but unrideable.

Saturday, August 29th, clears up beautifully: glassy calm, 8ft SSW swell, 15 seconds, energy down to 2864 but clean as a whistle. That’s a big wave day for experts only – excellent conditions. Sunday 30th holds at 5ft but the morning has a slight cross-onshore breeze, so the afternoon is better with NNW cross-off wind keeping things clean (5ft, 12 seconds, energy 860).

Monday, August 31st, sees a drop to 2ft in the morning – not worth paddling – but the afternoon brings 4ft SSW swell at 15 seconds with glassy wind and 976 energy, so a nice little window for a longboard or a quiet session.

Tuesday, September 1st, has a tricky morning: 7ft SSW, 16 seconds, but light cross-onshore wind. The afternoon is the real highlight of the second week: dead calm, glassy conditions, 7ft SSW swell, 15 seconds, energy at 1673 – excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the September standout.

Wednesday, September 2nd, is marginal again with light cross-onshore wind, though the swell holds at 5ft to 6ft. Thursday, September 3rd, builds back up: 10ft SSW swell, 18 seconds, energy 4877, but the wind is light cross-onshore in the morning. The afternoon glassed off beautifully with 8ft SSW, 17 seconds, and energy 3354 – another excellent day for the experienced crew.

To wrap it up: the absolute best on offer is Sunday morning, August 23rd – 8ft, glassy, SW swell right on the optimum direction, strong energy. The second standout is Tuesday afternoon, September 1st – 7ft, glassy, again SW, clean and powerful. Get out there early, crowds are possible but the quality will be worth it.

Rusty, signing off.

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