Black Rocks Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, cos’d up in the shack with the 16-day picture for the Black Rocks Jetty stretch. This is an exposed reef break, picky about its swell direction from the southwest, and it’s strictly for advanced crew – this is not a learner’s zone. The water is currently sitting at 77°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, a nice little anomaly to note.

We’ve got a run of surf coming in right from the start. Friday morning kicks off with a clean 6ft SSW groundswell running a very long 16 seconds, and the wind is glassy out of the NNE. The combined energy is pumping at 1305, so there’s plenty of push. That big period means the waves will have great shape and plenty of grunt, but it also means longer lulls between sets, so be patient. This is excellent, but only for the experienced. Friday afternoon stays glassy with a new SSW wind, same size, still solid.

Saturday morning (August 1) is another gem: 6ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and glassy conditions with a northerly breeze. The energy is up at 1447. Best of the bunch so far. By Saturday afternoon the wind swings onshore from the SSW, turning it cross-on and dropping the quality to marginal, so get your session in early. Sunday morning (August 2) cleans right up again – glassy, 4ft SSW groundswell, 15 seconds, and a combined energy of 1062. A solid, clean morning wave.

We then hit a lull. From Monday afternoon through to the end of the first week, the swell drops below 3ft and the energy falls under 400. The conditions are sometimes glassy, but there’s just not enough wave to get excited about. That quiet spell runs for about four or five days, with only knee-high dribble and very ordinary conditions. You’re better off waiting.

Then it lights up again. Saturday, August 8, brings a return of proper groundswell – 3ft, sure, but with a very long 17-second period out of the southwest, and glassy morning winds. The energy climbs to 559. It’s a sign of things to come.

The standout period hits on Sunday, August 9. Morning is dead calm, 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and the energy is huge at 1463. It’s excellent for experts. That afternoon the swell bumps to 7ft from the same direction, period still solid at 15 seconds, and the energy surges to 2126. The wind stays cross-off from the ESE, keeping it clean. That 7ft is big – this is expert territory, not a place for the faint-hearted.

Monday, August 10, is another cracker: 7ft SSW groundswell, glassy morning with calm winds, energy at 1700. The following days hold good 5ft to 5ft swell through to Wednesday, although some periods get a cross-on wind which knocks the shine off. The real highlight though, is Saturday, August 15. That morning delivers 5ft SW groundswell, a very long 17-second period, glassy winds, and combined energy of 1466. It’s excellent. The afternoon pushes to 7ft but gets a cross-on southerly, so stick to the early session.

Overall, the best on offer is Sunday, August 9, morning session, with its 6ft SW groundswell, 16-second period, glassy calm, and huge energy – that is the day to circle, though it’s a couple of weeks out, so keep an eye on it. Monday the 10th and Saturday the 15th mornings are also true standouts for the experienced surfer. Crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so expect company on the good glassy days.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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