Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks. Raffs Beach is the only show in town, so we're gonna make the most of it. The water's sitting at a pretty standard 55°, just a tick cooler than the long-term average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

We start off this Friday morning, July 31st, with some promising conditions. The swell is a clean 5ft SW groundswell rolling in at 12 seconds, with moderate wave energy pumping through at 597. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, which will keep the surface smooth and inviting. It's not a massive day, but for a beginner-friendly spot like this, it’s a solid start with decent quality.

Saturday, August 1st, is where things start to get tasty. The morning is clean with a gentle offshore wind from the north, and a 4ft SW swell. The energy picks up noticeably to 858, so there's a bit more push. Then Saturday afternoon is a real standout. The swell bumps up just a touch to 4ft, but the period stretches out to a very long 17 seconds – proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to a strong 1463, and with a light offshore wind, it's gonna be glassy and clean. This is excellent, powerful surf for those with a bit of experience. Because it's such a long period, the sets will be a bit more spaced out but the rides will be longer and more lined up. Crowds are on the cards here though, so be prepared to share.

Sunday the 2nd keeps the run going. A moderate offshore wind keeps it clean, with a solid 5ft to 6ft SW groundswell and very strong energy readings over 1200. Monday the 3rd sees the swell dip a little and some light rain moves in, but still a cross-offshore wind should keep things ridable. That’s the peak of this first window, with a consistent run of fun, clean days.

After that, there's a bit of a lull. The middle of the week (Tuesday the 4th through about Thursday the 6th) gets a bit messy and smaller with onshore winds and cross-chop. Not worth paddling out for in my book. Thursday morning on the 6th does get a blip of clean cross-offshore wind on a small, long-period swell, so you might find a sneaky one if you're keen.

Then, another solid window opens up. Friday the 7th of August looks fantastic with an offshore breeze and a clean 4ft to 5ft SW swell. The energy is strong at over 1300 and the period is a very long 16-17 seconds, meaning more of those quality, powerful waves for experienced surfers in clean conditions.

And then, hold onto your board shorts, because Monday the 10th of August brings a massive pulse. We're looking at an 8ft SW groundswell with a 19-second period. The combined energy is a monstrous 5026 – that is some serious, serious power. The wind is a fresh offshore breeze, so the face will be clean, but this is for experts only. That's a heavy water day, and not one for beginners or the faint of heart. After that, the following days see the size drop back a bit but there’s still plenty of size and a cross-offshore wind to keep the quality reasonable, but that Monday is the real heavyweight standout in the second week. The long period swell will be breaking best at a reef or point, but at this exposed beach, it will still provide some incredible, barreling waves for the brave.

The last week of the outlook from the 12th onwards has some size, but the wind swings more cross or cross-on, making for lumpier conditions. There are still some high-energy pulses, like the 6ft swell on the 13th and another solid 8ft groundswell on the 14th, but the onshore winds will take the shine off the surface.

So, if you want the best of the best: aim for Saturday afternoon, August 1st, and the morning of Friday the 7th. If you're an experienced charger, that Monday the 10th is your day. Just respect the ocean out there.

Rusty.

Read more