Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s see what’s cooking at Raffs Beach.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, mate. The pattern starts with some decent SW groundswell and clean conditions right from Monday morning, and it just keeps building through the week. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about bang on normal for this time of year, so nothing to shock the system there.

First up, Monday 24 August morning – you’ve got a 5ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the north. It’s clean, it’s got some punch, and the combined energy is sitting at 900 (moderate energy). Monday afternoon backs off a touch to 4ft, but still clean with a gentle offshore. Solid start.

Tuesday 25 August morning is where things start to get interesting. Swell bumps up to 6ft from the SW, 13-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore from the ENE. The combined energy jumps to 1228 (strong energy). This is excellent for experienced surfers – the sort of morning that’ll have you paddling out early. The afternoon turns a bit messy with cross-on wind, so pick your session.

Wednesday 26 August is a bit of a write-off. Swell is still there at 5ft to 7ft, but the wind is cross-on or onshore, and the combined energy gets up to 2188 (strong energy) – but it’s lumpy. Not worth it for paddle surfing unless you’re chasing wind swell on a kite.

Thursday 27 August sees a drop in size to 2ft to 3ft, but the wind swings offshore and light. Clean little waves, combined energy around 352 to 547 (moderate energy). Not a standout, but a fun morning session if you’ve got a log.

Now, the real standout – Friday 28 August. Morning has 4ft SW swell, but the period is a massive 18 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell. Combined energy hits 1312 (strong energy). The wind is light and cross-offshore. This is the kind of day where the point breaks and reefs will be singing. Raffs Beach is a beach break, so that long period might make it a bit straight, but the quality is there. Afternoon stays clean with 5ft and 16-second period, combined energy 1341 – excellent for experienced surfers.

Saturday 29 August morning goes glassy – 4ft, 14-second swell, no wind. Combined energy 614 (moderate). That’s a rare treat, mate. The afternoon gets a light cross-on, but the morning is pure magic.

Sunday 30 August is similar – clean morning with 3ft, 13-second swell, combined energy 573 (moderate). Afternoon gets a bit of cross-on chop, but it’s still surfable.

Monday 31 August – another big one. 7ft SW swell, 17-second period, combined energy 2857 (very strong energy). Wind is cross-offshore. This is expert territory, but if you’ve got the skills, the morning will be epic. Afternoon holds at 7ft and 16-second period, combined energy 2130 – still clean.

Tuesday 1 September stays solid at 5ft, 14-second period, combined energy around 1077 to 1098 (strong energy). Clean both sessions. Great for a Tuesday.

Wednesday 2 September morning is still good – 5ft, 13-second period, combined energy 1239 (strong energy). The afternoon gets a bit cross-shore, so morning is the call.

From Thursday 3 September onwards, the wind gets stronger. Swell stays around 4ft to 7ft, but the wind is fresh or moderate breeze, mostly cross-offshore. The combined energy varies from 481 (moderate) up to 2101 (strong) on Friday 4 September afternoon. The quality drops a notch – the best of the second week is probably Friday 4 September morning, with 6ft, 14-second period, combined energy 1398, but the wind is moderate. Not as clean as the first week.

Saturday 5 September afternoon gets a nice offshore wind again, 5ft, 13-second period, combined energy 680 (moderate). That’s a decent session to end the week.

After that, the wind strengthens further – fresh breeze from the NW from Sunday 6 September through Tuesday 8 September. Swell stays up to 7ft but the conditions are marginal. The setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during that stretch.

So, the standout days are Friday 28 August and Monday 31 August – both offer excellent, clean, strong SW groundswell with solid energy and good winds. Get on ’em.

Rusty.

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