Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our little patch of coast. Let’s be straight up – this is a wild run. We’ve got a massive pulse of energy coming through, but it’s going to be a game of patience for most of us. The first week is for the big-wave crew only, and the second week absolutely delivers the goods.

The first real action kicks off on Friday, July 24th, but honestly, it’s a beast. We’re looking at a solid 13 ft swell out of the SW, with a very long period of 15 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is massive (12929), but the problem is it’s way too big for this spot. It’s a beginner-friendly break, and with a 13 ft swell, it’s going to be a washing machine. The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s not going to be clean either. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s a heavy session.

The swell backs off a touch on Saturday the 25th, but still a thumping 12 ft in the morning with that long period. The afternoon sees it drop to 8 ft, and the wind goes light cross-off, which cleans it up nicely. That’s the first real window for a decent paddle, but the energy is still strong (1682). By Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th, the swell drops to a more manageable 5 ft to 6 ft, and the wind stays light. The water temp is about 56°F, which is dead average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. The sessions are clean, but it’s marginal. Not a standout, but a good option for a quiet paddle.

Now, the real star of the show is Saturday, August 2nd. We get a proper pulse of 10 ft swell from the SW, with a super long period of 18 seconds. That’s about as long as it gets. The combined energy is strong (4953). The wind is almost glassy, just a slight air from the WSW. This is the setup for a classic, clean, heavy day at Raffs Beach. The only caveat is the long period – those waves are going to have a lot of power and won’t be forgiving for beginners. It’s a big day for experienced surfers, and the potential is through the roof.

Sunday, August 3rd is another big day with 8 ft to 8 ft swell, but the wind turns onshore, which kills the quality. Hard pass.

Then the second week is where it gets really special. From Tuesday, August 5th through to Saturday, August 9th, we get a run of clean, offshore winds. The swell drops to a very user-friendly 3 ft to 6 ft range, but it’s all clean, long-period SW groundswell. The standout morning is Monday, August 4th, with a 5 ft swell and light offshore winds – that’s glassy perfection. And then Friday, August 8th and Saturday, August 9th are both looking epic with fresh offshore winds (NNE at 19 mph) and a solid 6 ft swell. The water is still clean, the crowds are possible, but with that wind, you’ll be surfing empty, clean lines.

So, the bottom line: The first week is a beast for the brave. The absolute pick of the whole 16-day window is Saturday, August 2nd, for the sheer size and power. But for the best all-round conditions, with clean waves and perfect wind, aim for Monday, August 4th, or Friday, August 8th. Get out there.

Rusty.

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