Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The swell window is mostly shut for the next few days, but we’ve got a solid run of surf coming up. Let’s break it down.

The first real chance to get wet is Wednesday morning, 29 July. The water is sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll want a good hood and booties. The swell is a clean 6ft from the SE with a 13-second period, so there’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the NW, making for clean conditions. The combined energy is 1133 (moderate). This is a solid day for experienced surfers. The reef setup at Blacks Reef will handle that SE groundswell nicely, but with that period, it’s best suited for the reef or point – the beach breaks might get a bit straight. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Wednesday afternoon holds similar – 6ft SE, 12-second period, cross-offshore wind from the ENE. Clean, with 1017 energy. Still good, still for experienced surfers.

Thursday morning, 30 July, the swell drops to 5ft from the ESE, 12 seconds, with a clean cross-off from the NNW. Energy drops to 690 (moderate). Still good, but smaller – a good day for a longboard or a fish if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed.

The next standout is a bit further out. Sunday morning, 9 August is a big one. We’ve got a 12ft swell from the S, with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is 6177 (very strong). Wind is offshore from the NNE, so it’ll be clean. However, this is a serious amount of water – the guidance says it’s too big for this break. That’s one for experts only, and even then, it’s a massive, powerful groundswell. The reef will handle it, but the paddle out will be a mission.

Sunday afternoon is a better bet for most – 8ft from the S, 15-second period, still offshore from the NE. Energy is 2906 (strong). This is a classic, powerful, clean afternoon. For experienced surfers, this is the pick of the week.

After that, the swell drops off through the next week. Monday 10 August morning has 5ft from the S, 13 seconds, offshore from the NNE. Energy is 801 (moderate). Clean, but smaller. Tuesday 11 August morning has 4ft from the S, 11 seconds, offshore from the N. Energy is 365 (weak). Clean, but marginal.

There’s a gap of poor conditions from Thursday 31 July through Wednesday 5 August, where the wind is onshore or cross-onshore and the swell is either too big or too messy. That’s a solid 6-day stretch of no recommendations.

So, the best bets are Wednesday 29 July for a clean, solid groundswell session, and Sunday 9 August afternoon for a powerful, clean, expert-level swell. The big Sunday morning is a monster – only for the brave.

Rusty.

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