Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Raffs Beach.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a rough start. Wednesday and Thursday this week are a write-off for paddling – the swell is too small or the wind is messy, and the surf is poor. Don’t even bother waxing up. Things get a bit more interesting later, but the first few days are a total washout.

The real action kicks off on Thursday, 23rd July, but it’s a serious one. We’re looking at a massive 12 ft SW swell hitting the break, with a 14-second period and a combined energy of 7253 (very strong). That’s a lot of juice. The wind is cross, which is okay, but this swell is simply too big for Raffs Beach. This is for experts only, if anyone. The same goes for Friday, 24th July – the swell peaks at 13 ft from the SW, with a 14-second period, and the energy is pumping at 9461. The wind goes cross-offshore, which is clean, but the size is still intimidating. This is a big-water day, not a beginner session.

By Saturday, 25th July, we’re still looking at an 12 ft SW swell (very strong energy at 5823) with a cross-offshore breeze. Still too big for most. The water temperature is around 56°F, which is pretty average for this time of year, so a good wetsuit is a must.

Now, Sunday, 26th July, is where we start to see a window. The morning shows a 6 ft SW swell, but the surf is a bit marginal. The afternoon, however, is the pick of the early days. We’ve got a 5 ft SW swell with an 11-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze. The energy is a moderate 515 (moderate wave energy). It’s a bit inconsistent, but it’s clean and surfable. This is the best option for a solid, fun surf if you pick your window.

Monday, 27th July, holds similar promise with a 5 ft to 6 ft SW swell, clean cross-off winds, and moderate energy. The morning looks best; the afternoon gets a bit marginal. Still, it’s a good enough run to get wet.

The standout in the whole forecast, however, is Tuesday, 28th July. The morning shows a 7 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and the energy is a strong 1767. The wind is a light breeze from the NW, which is cross-offshore. That’s clean, powerful, and long-period groundswell. This is the one for experienced surfers. The afternoon is a bit of a letdown with a light southerly onshore, so the morning is your window.

After that, the conditions get messy again. Wednesday, 29th July, and Thursday, 30th July, are blown out with onshore winds and poor surf. Friday, 31st July, sees a return to cleaner conditions, but the swell drops to 4 ft. It’s a gentle, clean day for a longboard or a cruiser.

Looking further ahead to the first week of August, we have a promising run. Saturday, 1st August, is a true standout. We’ve got a 4 ft SW swell with a 18-second period (very long period groundswell) and a clean offshore wind from the NNE. The energy is a strong 1144. This is a classic groundswell setup – perfect for the point or reef, but it might be a little too straight for the beach break. Sunday, 2nd August, keeps the offshores and a 4 ft to 5 ft SW swell, but the energy drops a bit. Monday, 3rd August, has a tiny 3 ft swell but a massive 22-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell, an anomaly. It’s a clean day with offshore winds, but the size is small. By Tuesday, 4th August, the swell picks up to 8 ft, but it’s getting big again and the wind is cross-offshore.

The final days of the forecast, 5th and 6th August, get messy again. Wednesday, 5th August, has an 12 ft SW swell with a short 9-second period, and the wind is cross. Too big and too short. Thursday, 6th August, is a drop-off with poor onshore winds.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Tuesday, 28th July morning for the powerful, clean groundswell for the experienced crew. The second standout is Saturday, 1st August for the dreamy offshore winds and long-period groundswell. If you’re a beginner, stay away from anything over 5 ft, and definitely steer clear of the 23rd-25th July. The crowds are listed as ‘sometimes’ at Raffs Beach, so you might have company on the good days.

Rusty out.

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