Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on what’s coming for Raffs Beach over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temp is sitting at 56°F, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing weird going on there.

Now, the forecast kicks off with a real beast of a swell on Friday the 4th of September. We’re looking at a solid 10ft swell from the SW, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is absolutely pumping at (4015). The wind is offshore from the NNW, so it’s going to be clean. But honestly, this is a lot of ocean for a beginner-friendly spot. It’s going to be a handful, even for the more experienced lot. It’s the best wave of the period, but it’s a serious one.

Saturday the 5th drops right off. The swell drops to 7ft with a 15-second period, but the wind is howling out of the NW at 22 mph, making it a cross-off mess. It’s not worth paddling out. Sunday the 6th is a bit smaller, but with a cross-on wind, it’s just choppy and average. Monday the 7th is basically flat with poor onshore winds – forget it.

Here’s where it gets interesting for the experienced crew. On Tuesday the 8th of September, the swell drops to 4ft, but the period jumps to a very long 18 seconds. The wind is a light cross-off from the NW, making for clean conditions. The combined energy is still decent at (1264). This is a classic groundswell window – it’ll be lined up and good, but for a beach break, that long period might make it a bit straight. Definitely a session for the skilled surfer.

Then we get smashed again. Wednesday the 9th brings a massive 15ft SW swell with a 19-second period. The combined energy is a colossal (24007). The wind is onshore and strong. This is way too big for this break, and it’s not going to be clean. Thursday the 10th is still huge, over 10ft, but with onshore wind again. Both of these are a no-go for paddling – honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

We get a bit of a breather on Friday the 11th, but the wind is onshore again, so it’s marginal. Saturday the 12th is a standout for the skilled surfer. The morning brings a glassy, clean 7ft SW swell with a long 15-second period. The combined energy is (2091). The wind is glassy from the ENE – that’s going to be a beautiful morning session if you’ve got the chops.

Sunday the 13th is another winner. Offshore winds from the NNE keep the swell clean. The 5ft SW swell is a much more manageable size, with a 15-second period. The combined energy is (1279). This is a solid, fun day for intermediate and up. The wind is offshore, so the waves will be holding up nicely.

The following week fades out. Monday the 14th is small and windy, and from Tuesday the 15th through Thursday the 17th it’s tiny, with poor onshore winds. The combined energy drops to under 500, just weak little waves. Friday the 18th is flat and glassy but not worth bothering with.

The last chance in the window is Saturday the 19th of September. A clean 6ft SW swell comes in with a 13-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the NNE, turning glassy in the afternoon. The combined energy is (1367). It’s not the biggest, but it’s clean, and it’s a nice way to end the run.

So, the best of the best? Friday the 4th is the biggest, cleanest swell, but it’s a beast. For the best balance of size, power, and clean conditions, you’re looking at Saturday the 12th in the morning, or Sunday the 13th. Those are the ones to circle on the calendar.

Rusty.

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