Black Rocks
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Black Rocks is a right-hand reef surf break known for powerful, high-performance waves with a reputation for clean running sections when the swell and wind line up. The wave is described as reef-fast and often lively, producing hollow/fast wall behavior on a solid south-to-southwest swell. Conditions are generally best on mid to high tide, with high tide specifically favored to reduce exposure to the reef.
- Right-hand reef break with strong performance potential
- Clean/offshore grooming with easterly trade winds
- Best on high tide and during winter swell months
- Powerful right-hand reef break with fast, high-performance sections
- Offshore/trade-wind grooming can produce clean faces
- Best winter swells (roughly May–October/June–November depending on source timing)
- Very sharp reef hazards and sea urchins
- Shark activity is reported in the area
- Access is boat-dependent; shore paddling is difficult and currents can be strong
- Conditions can become extremely heavy on larger swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE, SE
- Offshore directions
- NE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind flow; spot can be sheltered from full trade strength by the island's mountains, often leaving conditions offshore/clean.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Often partially sheltered by the island’s mountains from the full force of the trades, supporting cleaner/offshore conditions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocks dominate the launch environment.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as big depending on swell (reef can produce substantial power).
- Launch
- Big — Most access is by boat; paddling is possible only for very fit/experienced surfers due to distance and currents.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Boat access is typical; shore paddling is difficult.
Through the year
Low crowd overall; winter season is peak and weekends can be busier when the swell is optimal.
Cyclone season runs from January to March; heavy rain and potential storms can occur.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Right-hand reef break known for powerful, fast waves and good right-hand shape. Best from mid to high tide; works best when a solid south-to-southwest swell arrives. Handles bigger swell, but steepens/heavy conditions can become expert-only.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is best; also works from mid to high tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered reef break; wind can be cleaner/offshore depending on trade wind exposure.
- Wind Effect
- Easterly trade winds blow offshore here, grooming the swell into cleaner faces; NE winds are also described as working offshore/best for the wave.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well due to reef structure; can handle significant size but becomes extremely heavy and expert-only as it reaches very large (described up to triple overhead).
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as good to excellent depending on swell and tide.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Strong, high-performance reef break; can become extremely heavy on larger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Can shift to hollow/fast running sections on a solid swell.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Also described as medium-to-fast depending on conditions.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast, high-performance rides; one source describes roughly 100 to 200 meters on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, high-performance rides of about 100–200 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Black Rocks in the full forecast view.
Black Rocks wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- ENE59°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2911 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 20–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Black Rocks is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.4–1.3 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Extremely sharp volcanic reef
- Rocks
- Sea urchins
- Sharks
- Strong currents
- Shallow water (especially at low tide)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated rescue coverage specifically described for this launch; regional notes indicate rescue support can be limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities mentioned in the wider area are in the Flic en Flac or Quatre Bornes areas. Emergency numbers mentioned include 112/114/115 (police/fire/ambulance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism; sources emphasize respecting the local lineup.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local lineup; the area is sensitive with strong local presence.
- Avoid surfing at low tide due to extremely shallow and sharp volcanic reef.
- Stay alert in the channel as it is a known area for shark activity.
- Be careful with sharks.
- Be respectful with the locals.
- Access is typically by boat; paddling from shore is only for very fit/experienced surfers due to distance and currents.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Beau Bassin-Rose Hill
- Nearest Town
- Tamarin
- Nearest Airport
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) (~50 km, about 1-hour drive)
- Parking
- Park at the public beach in Tamarin or Wolmar if attempting to paddle or meeting a boat.
- Public Transport
- Public bus service connects the coast to major hubs, but rental cars are standard for transporting sports equipment.
- Access
- Typically accessed via boat from Tamarin Bay or Wolmar; paddling from shore is possible but difficult due to distance and currents.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, French, Creole
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels and rentals are available in Flic en Flac and Tamarin.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and shops are available in nearby coastal villages of Tamarin and Flic en Flac.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Tamarin offer rentals and wax; rentals are described as readily available for surfing/stand-up paddleboarding in the wider area.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in Tamarin may offer minor board repairs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Black River Coast area pairs an active ocean culture with easy access to major nature attractions, including Black River Gorges.
Multi-colored sand dunes with a nearby high-drop waterfall.
Restored 19th-century British coastal defense tower in La Preneuse.
Historical sites in Port Louis and the Creole culture of Mauritius.
Largest protected forest in Mauritius with hiking trails and endemic wildlife viewing.
Boat trips departing from Tamarin Bay to see and swim with wild spinner and bottlenose dolphins.
Local hub with live music, a surf-themed bar, and dining.
Multiple restaurants and bars in Tamarin for tourists and locals.
Leisure park offering safaris, zip-lining, and animal encounters.
Calm waters suitable for families, plus dolphin watching and coastal walks.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Black Rocks?
The best overall months at Black Rocks are June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Black Rocks?
Black Rocks works with E, NE, SE winds. Offshore directions are NE, E.
What skill level is Black Rocks suitable for?
Black Rocks suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.