Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about Blacks Reef. It’s a reef break, exposed to the south swell, and it’s normally very consistent, but the next week and a half is going to be a tough slog. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a touch cooler than usual for this time of year—nothing crazy, but you’ll feel it.

The first decent window doesn’t show up until Monday 14th September. Before that, it’s a write-off. From now right through Sunday the 13th, it’s poor surf conditions or marginal at best. You’ve got messy winds, onshore slop, and a bunch of rain. The swell is all over the place—short period junk, or weirdly long-period stuff that doesn’t shape up. On the 13th, there’s a big 7 ft to 7 ft S swell with a very long 16 second period, but it’s blowing onshore and choppy. That kind of long period groundswell can work nicely at a reef like this, but not when the wind is trash. The combined energy is huge (2537 and 2131), but it’s not doing you any favours.

The real standout is Monday 14th September afternoon. That’s your pick of the whole outlook. You’ve got a solid 6 ft S swell, 14 second period—proper groundswell, plenty of push. The wind goes cross-off from the ESE at just 9 mph, and the conditions are clean. The combined energy is 1333 (moderate-strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. Crowds are often here, so expect company, but the quality will be worth it. For beginners, that 6 ft is getting up there, maybe a bit much for a first go.

Tuesday 15th keeps some momentum. Morning sees a 5 ft S swell, 13 second period, with light cross-shore wind. It’s marginal for tide, but the afternoon cleans up nicely: 4 ft S swell, 12 second period, cross-off breeze, clean surf. Combined energy (727 morning, 498 afternoon) is moderate. Not a standout like Monday, but a decent session if you’re free.

After that, the outlook gets patchy again. Wednesday 16th is small and messy, Thursday 17th has a 6 ft S swell but the wind picks up, creating a cross-chop. Friday 18th is back to poor conditions. The second week is less certain.

Then, hold onto your board—Monday 21st September morning fires up. You’re looking at a big 10 ft ESE swell with an 11 second period, combined energy of 2366 (strong). The wind is light, cross-off from the north. That’s a lot of water moving. This is for experts only—10 ft is well above beginner territory. The afternoon is the same size, same direction, 12 second period, even cleaner wind, and energy at 2749. This is excellent stuff for the crew that can handle it.

Tuesday 22nd September morning pushes even bigger: 12 ft ESE swell, 12 second period, energy at 3751. The wind is gentle cross-shore. The file says it might be too big for this break, and I’d agree—12 ft at a reef is a serious step up. Only the most experienced locals should even look at it. The afternoon is 12 ft with a 13 second period, energy at 4448, and cross-off breeze. Massive, clean, but only for the hardcore.

So, the standout is Monday 14th September afternoon—clean, solid, well-shaped. The other big call is Monday 21st September for the big-wave chargers. Everything else is either blown out or too small. There’s a long gap of nothing decent from now until the 14th, so sit tight.

Rusty

Read more