Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, we’ve got a window of solid, powerful SW groundswell on the way, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real action kicks off Monday afternoon, August 31st, with a 6ft SW swell at 14 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (1903), but the wind is a light cross-on, so it’s a bit rippled. Not terrible, but not the best of the run.

Tuesday morning, September 1st, looks better. We’ve got a 6ft SW swell, but the period jumps to 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a clean, moderate offshore from the NNW, so the face will be tidy. The energy is still strong (1381). This is a solid morning session.

Wednesday, September 2nd, the swell builds to 6ft in the morning with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is side-shore, so a bit of chop. The afternoon, however, is cleaner with a cross-off wind and a 7ft SW swell, energy is strong (1994). That’s a good afternoon.

Now, Thursday, September 3rd, is where it starts to get heavy. The morning sees a 12ft SW swell, and the energy jumps to (3753) – that’s strong. The wind is a cross-shore 19 mph, so it’s lumpy. This is too big for beginners, and even for most, it’s going to be a handful. The afternoon is even bigger at 15ft from the WSW, with energy hitting (12439). That’s very strong, and it’s expert-only territory if you’re brave enough to deal with the cross-chop.

Friday, September 4th, the morning is the standout. A 10ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and a clean, moderate offshore wind from the NNW. The energy is strong (3681). This is a big, powerful, clean wave. It’s still too big for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is the best on offer in the near term. The afternoon drops to 8ft but the wind picks up to a fresh 19 mph cross-off, so it’s still clean but windier.

Saturday, September 5th, is a write-off. The morning is a messy 12ft with a strong 25 mph cross-wind – poor conditions. The afternoon is a massive 16ft WSW swell with energy at (17195), but again, the wind is messy. That’s kite-surfing territory, not a fun paddle.

Sunday, September 6th, bounces back. Morning has a 10ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a clean offshore wind from the N. That’s another heavy, clean session for experts. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 8ft, still offshore, and still clean.

Then we hit a dry spell. Monday, September 7th, is a no-go with onshore winds and small, weak swell. Tuesday, September 8th, the swell picks up to 8ft with a very long 18-second period, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s not perfect. The energy is moderate (2324). Not great.

Wednesday, September 9th, is similar: 8ft SW swell, 17-second period, but light cross-on wind. It’s surfable but not the best.

Now, for the long-range standout. Thursday, September 10th, is looking promising. The morning has a 8ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period, and the wind is glassy. The energy is very strong (4918). This is a long-period groundswell that will be best at a point or reef, but at Raffs, it’s going to be clean and powerful. This is a serious session for experienced surfers. The afternoon blows out a bit with a side-shore breeze.

Friday, September 11th, the morning is still clean with a cross-off breeze and a 7ft SW swell, 16-second period. A solid, clean option.

The rest of the run into the second week trails off. Saturday, September 12th, is small and clean but nothing special. Sunday and Monday, September 13th and 14th, are back to weak, onshore slop.

Finally, Tuesday, September 15th, the morning is glassy again with a 6ft SW swell, 15-second period. The energy is moderate (1392). That’s a clean, fun little session to end the forecast.

So, the standout windows are Thursday, September 3rd, through Sunday, September 6th, but only for the brave, and then the long-range glassy session on Thursday, September 10th, is the best bet for a clean, powerful wave without the howling wind.

Rusty, signing off.

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