Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Raffs Beach has got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, mate, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up at Raffs Beach, but there are some real gems in there if you’re patient. The early part of the week is a bit sketchy, with the surf looking a little average and bumpy, but things clean up nicely as we go.

For Monday the 6th, the afternoon is a write-off with a messy 5ft SW swell and a light cross-onshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate (735). Not worth paddling out for.

But then, Tuesday morning the 7th is where it starts to get interesting. The wind drops to glassy, dead calm, and we’ve got a clean 3ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. The energy is still moderate (816), but that long period will make for some beautifully shaped, lined-up waves. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, so that’s a great window for learning or just enjoying some silky smooth runners.

Later Tuesday afternoon the wind shifts and it gets a bit lumpy again, so the morning is the real standout.

Wednesday the 8th morning is a belter for the experienced crew. Clean conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze and a solid 5ft SW swell (18-second period). The combined energy jumps up to strong (2,023), so there’s real push behind those waves. This is the best surf of the first week. By the afternoon, it gets a little bumpy and the swell is climbing to 6ft, so it’s still fun but not as clean.

Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th both have clean conditions with offshore or cross-offshore winds. Swells hold around 4ft to 5ft from the SW, with good periods (14-15 seconds). Not huge, but really clean and consistent. Good solid days.

Then the weekend – Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th – is a write-off. The wind screams onshore and fresh, up to 25 mph, with messy, poor surf. The swell hangs around 3ft to 5ft but it’s all chop and wind. Don’t bother.

Now, Monday the 13th sees a massive pulse of swell. We’re talking 15ft to 16ft from the SW with a 15-second period. The combined energy is enormous (17,347). But here’s the thing: that is way, *way* too big for Raffs Beach. This spot can’t handle that size, and the models say so. Unless you’re a kamikaze charger, give it a miss. It’s more of a spectacle than a surf session.

The next standout comes on Wednesday the 15th. The swell drops back to a manageable 7ft, and the afternoon is glassy with offshore winds. That’s a solid, clean, powerful session for experienced surfers. Combined energy is still strong (1,403). That’s your second-best window.

Thursday the 16th keeps the quality up with 7ft SW swell and clean cross-offshore winds. Really good, consistent waves for those who know what they’re doing.

The final week gets a bit gusty again. The mornings are okay, with offshore winds but getting stronger, making paddling tougher. By Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th, the wind is howling from the north at 28-31 mph, which will make the surface clean but incredibly hard to paddle into. The swell is modest (4ft to 5ft), so it’s not worth the fight.

The Best on Offer: Without a doubt, Wednesday morning the 8th is the pick of the entire forecast. Clean, strong SW groundswell, good period, and manageable size for experienced surfers. Tuesday morning the 7th is a close second for those wanting smaller, glassy perfection.

The water temp is sitting around 57°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so don’t forget a decent winter suit.

So yeah, pick your windows. This spot rewards patience.

- Rusty

Read more