Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about the next week or so at Raffs Beach. Water temp is running about 55°, which is dead average for this time of year, nothing unusual.

The outlook kicks off on Friday, August 21, but it’s a bit of a dud. You’ve got a 4ft SW swell with a 14-second period, wind is cross-off at 12 mph, and the combined energy is only 730. Marginal at best, not worth paddling out.

Saturday, August 22 – that’s where it gets huge. Swell jumps to 12ft to 13ft SW, periods around 14-15 seconds, and the energy readings are massive – 8025 and 10180. That’s way too big for this spot unless you’re a proper expert on a big-wave gun. The wind is swinging cross to cross-on, so it’s not going to be clean either.

Sunday, August 23 is the real standout. Morning sees a 7ft SW groundswell, period 14 seconds, with a light NW cross-off breeze at 6 mph. The afternoon cleans right up with a NNE offshore at just 3 mph, glassy conditions, and the swell drops to a still punchy 6ft. The energy is moderate to strong (2124 and 1580), and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That Sunday afternoon session is your best bet – clean, offshore, good size, and that long-period SW groundswell will be lining up nicely. It’s a point break or reef setup, so that long period works in your favour.

Monday, August 24 keeps the fun going with a 5ft SW swell, offshore winds from the north at 12 mph in the morning, and a lighter NNE offshore in the afternoon. Clean, good shape, and the energy is moderate (891 and 759). Great for a solid session.

Tuesday, August 25 morning is still excellent – 6ft SW, offshore N wind at 9 mph, and energy just over 1000. But the afternoon gets choppy with a cross-shore wind, so get it early.

The rest of the week has some good windows, but nothing beats that Sunday the 23rd. Thursday, August 27 morning is clean with a smaller 3ft SW swell and light offshore N wind – fun for a longboard or a beginner session. Friday, August 28 morning is another cracker: 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, light offshore NNW wind, and energy at 2078. That’s big, clean, and powerful – only for experienced surfers.

Further out, Sunday, August 30 morning has a 5ft SW swell with a 16-second period, light NW cross-off, and energy at 1951 – clean and good. Monday, August 31 and Tuesday, September 1 are a bit messier with cross-shore winds, but still plenty of swell.

In the second week (September 2-5), the swell stays up but the wind gets more unreliable. Wednesday, September 2 morning is clean with a 6ft SW, 16-second period, light NNW cross-off, and energy 1481. After that, wind turns onshore or cross, and conditions get more marginal. Thursday, September 3 afternoon has a massive 8ft SW swell with an 18-second period, energy at 7165, but it’s onshore with a S wind – that’s a windy, powerful mess, maybe more interesting for kitesurfers than paddle surfers.

Friday, September 4 has a 8ft SW swell with a strong offshore N wind at 19 mph – clean but big, only for experts. Saturday, September 5 is a write-off – strong onshore winds, rain, and poor surf.

So, the standout is Sunday, August 23 afternoon – that’s the one to circle. The swell is solid, the wind is glassy offshore, and the conditions are as good as it gets for experienced surfers.

Rusty.

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