Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the menu for the coming days.

We’ve got a solid run of clean surf kicking off this Wednesday morning, July 22nd, at Blacks Reef. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want that extra rubber. Wednesday morning is the real standout to start: a clean 4ft S swell rolling in with a classic 12-second period, and the wind is glassy from the WNW. That’s proper conditions – the ocean’s putting on a show with moderate wave energy (529). Expect very good surf. The afternoon holds up nicely too, with the swell easing a touch to 4ft but still glassy, just a slight shift in wind to ESE.

Thursday morning, July 23rd, is still clean and fun. The swell drops to 3ft from the S, period still 12 seconds, and the wind turns offshore from the N. It’s not as punchy, but it’s tidy. By afternoon, the swell fades to 2ft, and while the wind stays offshore from the NE, it’s getting pretty small – surfable but ordinary.

Friday, July 24th, things get quiet. Swell is down to 1ft, and the wind goes cross-offshore from the NNW, but the energy is weak (40). It’s a day to leave the board in the car.

Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th, are a write-off for clean surfing. The swell picks up a bit, but the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, and the chop takes over. Saturday afternoon sees a 3ft ESE swell with 30 km/h onshore wind – not for us. Sunday morning has a bigger 6ft S swell but with onshore wind and short 8-second period, it’s messy and marginal.

The following week, from Monday July 27th through to the start of August, is dominated by big, strong, but very windy swells. Swell heights climb from 8ft to a massive 20ft, with strong onshore winds from the SW. The wave energy is huge (up to 9440), but the conditions are poor for paddling. This is more of a kite surfers’ setup than a clean wave for a surfboard.

Then, we get a real turnaround. Wednesday, July 29th, is the standout of the whole forecast. The morning delivers an 8ft SE swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore from the NNW. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers, with strong wave energy (2443). The afternoon is similar, with a 8ft ESE swell and cross-off wind. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

After that, the swell drops but stays clean. Thursday, July 30th, is still worth a look with a 6ft ESE swell and cross-off wind, though the energy is moderate. Friday, July 31st, and Saturday, August 1st, are back to onshore wind and poor conditions.

The second week shows another promising window. Wednesday, August 5th, is a beauty: a 6ft ESE swell with 11-second period, cross-off wind from the NNW, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The energy is moderate (1093). Thursday, August 6th, follows up with a clean 5ft S swell and cross-off wind – very good surf.

The best on offer is undeniably Wednesday, July 29th, with the 8ft SE swell, long period, and clean cross-off wind. That’s the one to get excited about.

Rusty.

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