Blacks Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, grab a coffee and a listen up, ‘cause I’ve had a proper look at Blacks Beach over the next couple of weeks, and I’ll level with you straight.

To be honest, the first few days are a write-off. We’ve got the whole of this week and into the next one looking pretty ordinary. The swell that’s showing is small and messy, with cross-onshore winds messing up the surface. There’s a bit of energy hanging around – you can see figures between 198 and over 400 in the combined swell energy – but it’s all getting chewed up by the breeze. The water’s sitting at a balmy 73°, which is a good 5° warmer than what you’d expect for this time of year, so that’s a bit of a weird one for Blacks Beach.

It’s not until Saturday, September 19th that we see a glimmer. The morning’s still a bit cross-on, but the swell starts to pick up a hint more size and the winds ease a little. The wave comment goes from "poor surf conditions" to just "marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions", which for us means it’s on the edge of being rideable. You’re looking at a chest-high, maybe somewhat bigger sound from the SW at around 3 ft, with a period that jumps to a solid 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy hits 586, so there’s something in the water. The wind is a light WSW, so more cross-on than anything clean, but it’s not howling.

Sunday, September 20th shapes up a bit more promising, especially the morning. Swell’s still in that 3 ft range from the SW, period staying up at 18 seconds, and the energy jumps to 698. The wind is a cross-on SSW but only 9 mph, so it’s not too gnarly. It’s still a marginal call, but if you’re desperate, that’s the first window that’s worth a look. Monday, September 21st is similar – 4 ft from the SW, 17 second period, and energy hits 766! The morning has light winds from the west, and that’s an onshore direction for Blacks, but it might offer a bit of shape. Tuesday, September 22nd still has some push, but the energy drops back a bit.

From Wednesday, September 23rd onwards, it all fizzles out again. The swell drops off, the period shrinks back to 14-15 seconds, and the winds start coming from the NW, which isn’t the direction you want for this spot. The surf quality tanks back to ‘poor’, and I’d say you’re better off finding something else to do.

So, summing it up – the standout comes down to a couple of days around the weekend of the 19th through to the 21st of September. Monday, September 21st morning looks the pick of the bunch: 3 ft of SW groundswell (170°), a long 17 second period, solid combined energy of 612, and light onshore W winds up to 6 mph. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got. Give it a crack then if you can.

Rusty.

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