Blacks Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Blacks Reef. This is a beginner-friendly reef break that’s exposed to southerly swell, and it’s very consistent, so you can usually count on something to ride. The water temp is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than what’s normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

We kick off on Monday the 14th of September with some solid surf. The morning is looking excellent for experienced surfers: a 7ft southerly swell rolling in with a 12-second period, and the wind is dead calm – glassy conditions. That’s a treat. The combined swell energy is strong at (1338). The afternoon stays clean with a 6ft southerly swell and a light cross-off breeze, still plenty of fun for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Tuesday the 15th sees the swell drop a bit. The morning has a 5ft south swell, still glassy with that NNE breeze, making for some clean, fun waves. The energy drops to moderate (492). The afternoon gets a bit windier with a 12 mph cross-off, and the swell slips to 4ft – still surfable, but not as good.

Wednesday the 16th is a real drop-off. We’re looking at a small 3ft SSE swell in the morning, and the energy is weak (125). The wind is light offshore, so the waves will be clean, but they’ll be very ordinary. The afternoon is much the same, just smaller.

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th stay small and unremarkable, with the swell barely scraping 3ft. The energy is weak, below 150. Friday afternoon though, things get a bit ugly. An 12ft SSW swell rolls in but it’s got a strong cross-onshore wind at 16 mph, making for choppy, poor conditions. Not one to bother with.

The weekend (19th and 20th September) is a write-off. The swell is small, the winds are onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy stays moderate but messy. You’d be better off doing something else.

There’s a bit of a gap here until Monday the 21st, when we get a small window. The morning shows a 2ft south swell with a 12-second period, clean with a light cross-off wind. The energy is weak (214), but it’s surfable.

Then things get interesting again around the 23rd of September. Wednesday the 23rd has a massive 13ft southerly swell in the morning with an 11-second period and light cross-shore wind. The energy is very strong (2796). But – and this is a big but – this swell is too big for Blacks Reef. This is a beginner-friendly spot, and over 8ft it’s expert-only territory. This is well over that. The afternoon gets even bigger at 15ft with a 12-second period and energy at (4569). Same story: too big for the break.

Thursday the 24th is even more colossal. A 13ft south swell in the morning with glassy conditions, energy at (5120). The afternoon hits 16ft with a cross-off breeze, and the energy is massive at (11949). This is for the brave and the experienced only, and even then, it’s a full-on, heavy day.

Friday the 25th starts with an 12ft southerly swell and a strong cross-shore wind, energy at (3185). Still too big and messy. The afternoon drops to 8ft, but it’s still on the edge of what’s manageable here.

Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th are poor again, with strong onshore winds and messy conditions.

The last real highlight comes on Monday the 28th of September. The morning shows an 12ft southerly swell with a light cross-off wind and clean conditions. The energy is strong (1932). Again, this is too big for beginners. The afternoon is more manageable at 7ft with a light offshore wind and energy at (1003) – this would be excellent for experienced surfers, with clean, powerful waves.

All in all, the standout session is Monday the 14th of September – glassy, clean, solid 7ft swell with strong energy. That’s the one to circle. The late-month big swells (23rd-25th) are impressive but dangerous for this spot, and the rest is mostly small or windy.

Rusty.

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