Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer for the region.

We're looking at a stretch that starts slow, but if you're patient, there's some real magic waiting in the second week. The first few days are mostly a write-off, but hang tight.

Wednesday the 26th is a right-off. Raffs Beach is seeing a messy 5 ft SW swell, but it's cross-on and choppy, so the water is a mess. The combined swell energy is up there (1054), but the quality is just not there. Water temp is sitting at a very normal 56°F for this time of year, so nothing to worry about there.

Thursday the 27th is a tease. The swell drops right down to 2 ft in the morning, building to 3 ft in the arvo. The wind swings light cross-off, and the wave comment says "clean". The energy is low (340-484), so it's small, but it's the first hint of something rideable. The period is 12-13 seconds, a decent groundswell.

Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th are a bit of a slog. The swell picks up, but the wind is messy. Friday morning has a 4 ft swell with a long 18-second period, but a cross-shore wind makes it choppy. The energy is moderate (1409). Saturday is similar, with a 5 ft swell and light cross-shore wind. Not great, not terrible.

Sunday the 30th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning shows a clean 5 ft swell from the SW with a light cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (988), and the wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions". That's a glimmer of hope.

The First Standout: Monday the 31st of August

This is the one to circle on the calendar. The morning has a solid 7 ft SW swell, and the wind is light, clean, and offshore from the north. The energy is strong (1829). The wave comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers". This is overhead for the average punter, and a bit too big for beginners. With that size and offshore wind, it's a proper session for the crew who know what they're doing. The afternoon keeps the same clean offshore wind, so the whole day is a goer. The 14-second period gives it that push.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a step back. The wind is fresh and cross-off, which keeps it clean, but the swell drops to 5 ft and the energy is patchy. The morning is still rideable, but the afternoon is a bit weak.

The Second Standout: Wednesday the 2nd of September

Alright, this is the other big one. The morning shows a 6 ft SW swell, with a light offshore wind from the NNW. The wave comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers". The energy is strong (1514), and the period is a solid 15 seconds. This is a proper groundswell. The afternoon keeps the offshore wind, making it a full day of clean, punchy waves. It's not quite as big as Monday, but the quality looks top shelf.

Thursday the 3rd is a dud again – moderate cross-shore wind and a dropping swell. Friday the 4th is a mixed bag; the swell is 7 ft, but the wind is a fresh cross-off, so it's clean but lumpy. The energy is high (1746), but the wind is getting up there.

The Third Standout: Tuesday the 8th of September

After a few days of messy, blown-out conditions, we get a gem. The morning has a 6 ft SW swell, and the wind is glassy. Yes, glassy. The wave comment says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers". The energy is very strong (2072). With a 13-second period, this is going to be a clean, powerful session. The swell size is still in the experienced range, but with glassy conditions, it's the best wave quality of the entire forecast. The afternoon it turns onshore and messy, but that morning window is prime.

The rest of the second week sees a mix. Wednesday the 9th has a smaller 5 ft swell but clean offshore wind again. The 10th of September sees the swell get huge again (13 ft), but it's a messy, choppy onshore mess, so that one is for the gear, not the paddle.

So, for the best of the best: Monday the 31st of August for the consistent offshore wind and solid 7 ft SW swell, and Tuesday the 8th of September for the near-perfect glassy morning with a strong 6 ft groundswell. The Wednesday the 2nd of September is also a top contender with its clean, punchy offshore conditions.

Keep your eyes on the forecast a few days out, because these long-range standouts are promising but can shift. The water temp is about average for the year, so a 3/2mm wetsuit should be fine.

Rusty.

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