Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell coming into Raffs Beach, but don’t rush out—there’s a few days of messy, marginal conditions before we get to the good stuff.

The first call on Sunday, August 23rd, is actually pretty decent. The morning is clean with a light cross-off breeze from the NNW at 10 km/h, and you’ve got a 7 ft SW swell pushing in with a 14-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, and it’s got some real weight behind it (combined energy of 2124). The water temp is sitting at 56°—about normal for this time of year. This is only for the experienced crew though, as it’s a bit much for beginners. The afternoon cleans up even more, going offshore with a 6 ft SW swell and 13-second period (energy 1580). It’s a solid start.

Monday the 24th holds up nicely too. Offshore winds from the N all day, with a 5 ft SW, 14-second swell in the morning (energy 900) and a 4 ft SW, 13-second swell in the arvo (energy 615). Clean, lined-up waves for the more confident surfers.

Now, from Tuesday the 25th through to Thursday the 27th, things get messy. Tuesday morning is cross-on with a SE breeze and light rain, and the swell is 5 ft but period drops to 13 seconds (energy 1133)—still fair, but the wind is junk. Tuesday arvo goes cross, and Wednesday is a write-off with a stiff cross-on wind and a 8 ft, 14-second swell (energy 3294) that’s just messy. Wednesday arvo is onshore and poor. Thursday sees the swell drop right off to 3 ft (energy 279 and 464), so it’s a small, clean day but not worth paddling out for.

Friday the 28th is a bit of a tease. You’ve got a 6 ft SW swell with a 17-second period (energy 3005)—that’s a very long period groundswell, which means it’ll be fat and walled up at a beach break like Raffs. The wind is cross and moderate, so it’s going to be a bit of a bumpy mess. Saturday the 29th is similar: 8 ft, 14-second swell (energy 3390) with moderate cross-winds. Not the cleanest.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday, August 30th, is a standout—but only for the experienced. The morning is glassy clear with a light 10 km/h cross breeze, and a massive 10 ft SW, 18-second swell (energy 5428). That’s a very long period, high-energy groundswell, and it’s going to be way too big for beginners. Only the experts should even look at it. The arvo is similar with a 10 ft, 16-second swell (energy 5077) and onshore S wind, so it’s going to be a beast.

Monday the 31st is a step down but still good: 7 ft SW, 16-second swell (energy 2394) with a cross-off breeze from the NNW. Clean and powerful. Tuesday September 1st is back to messy cross-shore winds and a 6 ft swell (energy 1186), so not worth it.

Then we’ve got another big one on Thursday, September 3rd and Friday, September 4th. Thursday sees a 10 ft SW, 14–15 second swell (energy 2940–3465) with clean cross-off winds, but it’s too big for most. Friday September 4th is the best of the bunch for the second week: a 8 ft SW, 15–16 second swell (energy 3014–3218) with light offshore breezes in the morning and glassy cross-off conditions in the afternoon. That’s a clean, powerful, long-period groundswell—perfect for the experienced crew. Saturday September 5th is windy and messy, but Sunday September 6th afternoon has a glassy 6 ft, 13-second swell (energy 1009) that’s clean and fun.

Overall, the best windows are Sunday August 23rd arvo, Monday August 24th, and the real standout is Friday September 4th—that’s the one to circle. The big swells on August 30th and September 3rd are only for the brave.

Rusty.

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