Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, checking in with the outlook for Blacks Reef. We've got one break to watch, so let's get into it.

At first glance, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of really sweet windows if you time it right. The energy coming in is mostly moderate to strong, with the combined swell energy hitting a hefty 915 on the Friday morning, and it stays punchy through the weekend. We’re looking at a solid south swell with a decent 13-second period to start, which is proper groundswell. That’s reef-break territory, and it’s going to hold up well.

Things kick off Friday, the 28th of August. Morning is looking prime with a 5-foot south swell at 13 seconds. The wind is a light offshore from the NNE at 12 mph, so conditions are clean and lined up. The combined energy is a solid 915, giving it plenty of push. This is the standout of the first few days. The swell drops a touch into the afternoon at 4 feet, but it’s still clean and surfable.

Saturday the 29th keeps the good run going with a smaller 3-foot south swell in the morning, but still a nice 12-second period. Gentle offshore winds mean it’s tidy, if a little smaller. Afternoon holds at 3 feet with the same clean conditions. Crowds are "often" here, and with quality on offer Friday and Saturday, expect company.

The swell drops right off Sunday the 30th. Small, weak, and sloppy. A gap of poor conditions kicks in from there.

Monday the 31st picks up in size but the wind is ugly. An 8-foot south-southwest swell in the morning gets torn up by a 16 mph cross-onshore, and it only gets worse in the afternoon as the swell jumps to 10 feet. That’s big, but messy. Not one for a paddle.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a write-off. Solid 8-foot swell but onshore winds and rain. Rough.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday the 2nd of September, morning session. A clean 7-foot south swell with a long 12-second period and a light offshore cross-off wind from the NW. The combined energy is strong at 1227. This is the real standout for experienced surfers. It’s big enough to be expert territory, but with that offshore wind and long period, the reef is going to pump. Afternoon is a bit smaller at 6 feet but with a light cross-on breeze.

Thursday the 3rd of September is also solid. A 5-foot south swell with 12 seconds and clean winds. Friday the 4th drops back to 3 feet, still rideable.

After that, it fades hard into the second week. From the 5th of September through to the 7th, you're looking at tiny surf, mostly under 2 feet. The 8th sees a jumbled short-period swell jump up to 6 feet, but it arrives with a 19 mph cross-wind that’s just churned up. Not good.

The final real highlight lands on Wednesday the 9th of September. A clean, glassy morning with a 7-foot south-southeast swell at 9 seconds. Light winds, glassy conditions, and combined energy over 1400. That’s a standout morning for experienced surfers. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze, though the period is a bit short. After that, it dribbles back down to small, weak surf through the 12th.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are Friday the 28th of August morning, Wednesday the 2nd of September morning, and Wednesday the 9th of September morning. The 2nd and the 9th are the standouts—bigger swell, offshore or glassy conditions, and solid energy. Get on it.

Rusty.

Read more