Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

We've got a solid stretch of surf coming our way at Blacks Reef, but it’s going to be a real mixed bag with some wild, big stuff right at the end. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don't forget the extra rubber.

The action gets going on Thursday morning, July 23rd. It’s a clean start with a light offshore breeze and a 3ft south swell. The period is a nice long 12 seconds, giving the waves some real shape and push. The combined energy is moderate (213), but with that glassy wind, the morning session will be a fun one for everyone. The afternoon sees the swell drop a touch, but it stays clean.

Friday, July 24th, is tiny. The swell drops right off, with a 1ft south swell and a shorter period. The wind is cross-off, but there just isn't enough energy to get excited about.

Saturday, July 25th, is a write-off. The wind swings around and gets nasty, hitting 31 mph in the afternoon with rain. The swell is coming from the east, but it's blown out. Not a day for it.

Sunday, July 26th, brings a big change. A solid 7ft south swell arrives, but the combined energy is a massive 1311, which is strong. The morning has onshore wind and light rain, making it a messy, windy day. The swell is too big for beginners but the conditions are poor.

The start of the next week, from Monday the 27th through Wednesday the 29th, is a frustrating period. The swell stays big, between 6ft and 8ft, with a lot of energy (up to 2020), but it's almost always accompanied by cross-onshore or onshore winds. This translates to choppy, bumpy conditions. There are some salvageable moments, but it's not high quality.

Now, here is the standout. The best window of the whole forecast is Thursday, July 30th. The morning is glassy—absolutely dead calm—with a clean 6ft swell from the ESE. The combined energy is still a solid 937 (moderate), and the period is 12 seconds. This is going to be smooth, lined-up, and perfect. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze. This is the session to book off work for.

Friday, July 31st, is a step down in size, but still clean in the morning. By Saturday, August 1st, the swell fades and the wind turns messy again.

Then, on Sunday, August 2nd, the wind switches back to a light offshore from the NNE, and we get a 6ft east swell. It’s clean and punchy, with a 10-second period. This is another great morning, with the afternoon staying clean and offshore.

The run continues into the start of the next week. Monday, August 3rd, and Tuesday, August 4th, both have clean offshore winds and fun east swells, from 3ft to 4ft. Perfect for a longboard or a funboard.

But hold on. Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, a different beast appears. The forecast shows a 10ft SSW swell hitting with a clean offshore wind. This is big, and the combined energy is 1400. This is for experts only, but it will be a sight to see.

From Wednesday, August 5th, right through to the end of the forecast on Friday, August 7th, the swell gets absolutely massive. We're talking 12ft to 16ft south swells, with combined energy readings hitting 7352. The wind is favorable at times, even glassy on the 6th, but the swell is far too big for Blacks Reef. This is big-wave territory, and this reef break will be a washing machine. Leave this one to the tow crews and the very brave.

So, to sum it up: the first week has some small windows and a lot of wind. The absolute best bet is the glassy morning of Thursday, July 30th. The second week has a great run of clean, fun waves from Sunday, August 2nd, through Tuesday, August 4th morning, before it all turns into a monster.

-Rusty

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