Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the look ahead for Raffs Beach. It’s a bit of a wild ride over the next couple of weeks, so let’s get into it.

We start off slow. The first few days, Wednesday the 5th through Thursday the 6th, are pretty average. Swell is small at 3ft from the SW, and the wind is messy on Wednesday, making for poor surf. Thursday cleans up a bit with a cross-off breeze, but it’s still marginal. The wait is on.

Then, Friday the 7th morning is where it starts to get interesting. The swell jumps to 5ft from the SW, but it’s the wind that’s the story – light offshore from the NNE by the afternoon. That’s clean, lined-up waves for experienced surfers, with the combined wave energy pumping at a solid 1106 (moderate). For a beginner spot, this is getting a bit punchy, but for the crew that knows what they’re doing, Friday afternoon is a standout.

Saturday the 8th keeps the offshore wind going, but it’s blowing a bit harder, 15-19 mph. The swell is a clean 4ft, and while it’s still good, the stronger wind makes it a bit trickier. Sunday the 9th sees the wind crank up to 28 mph offshore – that’s strong enough to hold the waves up, but it’s going to be a battle to get out. Probably one for the tow-in guys or the very fit.

Now, here’s where it gets serious. Monday the 10th, the swell goes ballistic. We’re looking at 13ft from the SW, but the period is short at 9 seconds, making it a messy, powerful wall of whitewater. The combined energy is 2352 (strong), but for Raffs Beach, this is too big. It’s more of a spectacle than a surf session. The afternoon drops to 5ft with a 17-second period, which is cleaner, but still pushing the limits.

The following week is a rollercoaster. Tuesday the 11th to Wednesday the 12th sees the swell hanging around 4ft to 8ft, with clean conditions but often strong cross-off winds. By the 12th afternoon, the swell is back up to 12ft, and it’s just too much for the break. The 13th and 14th are massive – 16ft to 10ft swells – with energy readings in the thousands (up to 25,556, which is very strong). This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s a question of whether you can paddle in.

The real hidden gem, though, is Saturday the 15th. The swell is a solid 8ft from the SW, with a long 17-second period, but the wind goes glassy in the afternoon – light from the SSE. That’s as clean as it gets, and the combined energy is 4523 (strong). For an experienced surfer, this is the best on offer, with waves that will have shape and power. The water temp is around 55°, which is about normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the booties.

Sunday the 16th morning is another glassy session, with the swell dropping to 7ft, but it’s still clean and fun. After that, the wind shifts onshore and the quality drops. Monday the 17th through Wednesday the 19th brings back some offshore winds and smaller 4ft to 6ft swells, making for clean, user-friendly waves. The 18th Tuesday is a standout for the intermediate crew, with a 6ft SW swell and 18-second period, combined with moderate offshore breezes.

The final days, Thursday the 20th, look a bit messy again with rain and cross-shore winds, so the run ends on a bit of a flat note.

So, to sum it up: Friday the 7th afternoon is your first standout for experienced surfers. The absolute best of the bunch, though, is Saturday the 15th afternoon – glassy, solid, and powerful. Just keep an eye on the size – if you’re not comfortable in overhead waves, stick to the smaller days later in the second week.

Rusty.

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