Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. There’s only one spot on the radar for this 16-day stretch, and that’s Raffs Beach. A beginner-friendly, fairly consistent beach break that gets exposed to the swell, with an optimum direction from the SSW. Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there.

The run starts on Friday, 21 August, but honestly, it’s a bit of a slow opener. Friday morning and afternoon have some clean cross-off wind, with swell around 4ft to 5ft, but the wave quality is only marginal. The energy is modest (957 and 736), so it’s not going to get the heart pumping just yet.

Saturday, 22 August, though, is a different story. The swell pumps up big time – 12ft in the morning and 13ft in the afternoon, both from the SW, with a solid 14-second period. The energy is through the roof (7949 and 9570). But, and this is a big but, it’s simply too big for this break. Wind is cross-shore and cross-onshore, so it’s messy and way too much for a beginner spot. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

Sunday, 23 August, is where it gets interesting. Morning has a clean 7ft SW swell with a light cross-off breeze, and the afternoon goes glassy with offshore wind from the NNE. The energy drops to a more manageable 2038 and 1512, and the surf is described as excellent for experienced surfers. That Sunday afternoon session is a standout – clean, offshore, and a solid 6ft swell. This is the best on offer in the near term.

Monday, 24 August, through Tuesday morning, 25 August, keeps the good vibes rolling. Offshore winds, clean conditions, and swell around 4ft to 5ft from the SW. Energy is moderate (915 to 860). Nice, clean, manageable waves. But Tuesday afternoon goes south quickly – cross-on wind, 8ft swell, and poor conditions. That’s a write-off.

Wednesday, 26 August, is another day where the swell gets too big again – 10ft in the morning, 8ft in the afternoon, with cross-shore and cross-on wind. The energy is high (3978 and 3076), but it’s just too much for a clean, fun session here. Not for the faint-hearted.

From Thursday, 27 August, things settle down. The 27th morning has a small 2ft SW swell with offshore wind and clean conditions. Thursday afternoon picks up to 3ft, with a glassy cross-off breeze. Energy is low (367 and 560), but it’s clean and fun for a beginner.

Friday, 28 August, sees a 6ft SW swell with a 17-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell. The energy is strong (1943), but the wind is cross-off and clean. That long period could make it a bit tricky at a beach break, but it’ll be well-shaped. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 5ft, still clean, but the wind picks up. Worth a look if you’re around.

Then there’s a gap of poor conditions from Saturday, 29 August, through to Monday, 31 August morning. Onshore winds, rain, choppy, and just not worth paddling out. The 31st afternoon sees a slight improvement – 5ft, light cross-on wind, but still marginal.

Tuesday, 1 September, and Wednesday, 2 September, bring back some cleaner, stronger surf. 6ft to 7ft SW swells with a 16-second period, cross-off wind, and clean conditions. The energy is solid (1928 to 2093). Wednesday morning is the pick of this second week – 6ft, clean, and excellent for experienced surfers.

Thursday, 3 September, goes small again – 3ft to 4ft, strong offshore wind, but low energy. Not much to get excited about.

Friday, 4 September, sees a 7ft SW swell in the morning with clean cross-off wind, but the afternoon jumps to 10ft – too big again. The energy is massive (6240), so that afternoon is back to big, unruly conditions.

Saturday, 5 September, wraps it up with a 8ft SW swell, long 17-second period, and strong cross-off wind. Energy is high (4021), but it’s marginal. A long-period groundswell of that size at a beach break – expect it to be powerful and maybe a bit unruly, but if you’re an experienced surfer, it could be worth a look.

Overall, the standout window is Sunday, 23 August afternoon, with that clean, offshore, 6ft SW swell. If you can’t make that, Wednesday, 2 September morning is your next best bet. The rest of the run is a mix of too big, too small, or too windy. Keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change.

Rusty.

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