Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Rafs Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow burner. The first couple of days, Thursday 6th and into Friday 7th, the surf is small and pretty marginal. Thursday morning sees a weak 3ft SW swell, period a short 12 seconds, with a northwest cross-off breeze. The combined energy is a low 382, so there’s barely any push. The swell picks up a touch Friday, hitting 5ft from the SW with a strong 16-second period, giving it some real groundswell grunt. The wind is light and cross-off on Friday, making for clean conditions. The combined energy jumps to 1009, which is solid moderate energy. This is a decent window for experienced surfers, as the long period means it’ll be a bit more powerful, but the sets will be more spaced out. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

Saturday 8th morning is where we start to see a real standout. The swell holds at 4ft from the SW, still with that lovely 16-second period, but the wind swings offshore from the north at 15 mph. The energy is a strong 948. This is clean, offshore, and has proper shape. It’s the best bet of the first week. The afternoon gets a bit windier at 18 mph, still offshore, but it’s fresher and a little more work.

Sunday 9th is a write-off. The swell drops back to 3ft, the wind is howling offshore at 22 mph, and it’s raining. The combined energy is a weak 394. Not a day to bother.

Now, Monday 10th is a different beast. The morning swell pumps up to 13ft from the SW, but the period is a short, wind-affected 9 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 2791, but that size is too big for this break. This is expert-only if you’re brave, but honestly, with that short period and size, it’s more of a washing machine. The afternoon drops to 6ft with a much better 17-second period, but the energy is still huge at 2672. The wind is a cross-off, so it’s clean, but the size and power will still be a handful.

Tuesday 11th to Wednesday 12th sees a solid 5ft to 8ft SW swell, with the energy staying strong (1116-3479). The wind is a mix of offshore and cross-shore, so conditions are mixed. Wednesday’s 8ft swell with an 18-second period and cross-shore wind will be a bit lumpy. Not the pick.

Thursday 13th through to Saturday 15th is the real highlight for the whole period. Thursday 13th morning has a 8ft SW swell, a 16-second period, and a gentle cross-off wind from the west. The combined energy is a very strong 3325. This is powerful, clean, and has quality written all over it. The swell direction (SW) matches the optimum for the break. For experienced surfers, this is the best on offer. Friday 14th morning is even bigger at 10ft, but that’s over the 8ft mark, so it’s now expert territory. The wind is cross-off, and the energy is a staggering 6034. Saturday 15th morning drops to a more manageable 8ft, with a 16-second period, light cross-off wind, and energy of 2794. This is another excellent, clean day.

After that, the surf settles through the second week. Sunday 16th to Tuesday 18th sees a steady 6ft to 4ft SW swell, with periods dropping to 13-14 seconds. The wind is a bit of a mix, with some cross-on days, so it’s not as clean. The energy drops to moderate levels (632-1481). Wednesday 19th has a 5ft, 16-second swell with a fresh offshore from the north at 22 mph. That’s a clean, workable wave, but the wind is strong. The combined energy is 1034. Thursday 20th and Friday 21st round things out with a 5ft to 8ft swell, good periods, and a cross-off breeze, keeping it clean and fun.

Crowds at Raffs Beach are listed as “sometimes,” so you can expect a few others out, especially on the standout days.

So, to wrap it up: the best windows are Friday 7th morning for a clean, solid 5ft groundswell, and the absolute standout is Thursday 13th morning through Saturday 15th morning – a run of clean, powerful, 8ft to 8ft SW groundswells with light offshore winds. That’s the one to circle on the calendar if you’re an experienced surfer.

Rusty.

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