Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Raffs Beach. This is a beginner-friendly spot, and it’s pretty exposed, so it catches plenty of energy. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.

The week kicks off proper with some solid action. Friday morning, July 17, we’ve got a nice 7 ft south-west groundswell, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The wind is light offshore from the north-northwest, making for clean, lined-up waves. There’s a heap of energy in the water (2158), and it’s glassy conditions by the afternoon. This is quality stuff, but at this size and with that long period, the waves will be powerful and a bit fat off the beach – it’s one for the experienced crew. The best of the bunch is that Friday afternoon, July 17, with glassy conditions and 7 ft south-west swell.

Saturday, July 18, hangs in there. The morning has 5 ft south-west swell with a cross-offshore breeze, so it’s still clean. By the afternoon, it goes glassy with 4 ft sets. That’s a solid, fun day for the intermediate who wants a bit of a paddle.

Into Sunday, July 19, the swell backs off to 3 ft, still clean in the morning, and glassy in the afternoon. It’s a bit smaller, but still rideable for the beginners. This pattern of clean, small waves continues through Monday, July 20, and Tuesday, July 21, with the swell hovering around 3 ft to 4 ft. The winds are either offshore or light cross-off, so the surface is clean. It’s not pumping, but it’s a nice run of small, clean days.

Wednesday, July 22, is a write-off in the afternoon – the wind picks up and kills the quality. Then Thursday, July 23, is a mess. We’ve got a 8 ft to 10 ft windswell with a short period of 7-8 seconds, but the wind is howling onshore or cross-shore at 19-25 mph. It’s lumpy, messy, and not worth a look. The energy is moderate to strong (947-1452), but it’s all wind chop – more of a windsurfing or kite day than a paddle day.

Friday, July 24, is still a bit of a wash. The swell is 7 ft to 8 ft, but the wind is cross-shore, leaving a chop on the surface. There’s a lot of energy (1841-2337), but it’s not clean.

The following week gets wild. The weekend of July 25-26 sees a massive jump in swell. The guidance says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break, with heights of 12 ft on Saturday morning and 8 ft in the afternoon. The energy is extreme (6511-4192). This is only for experts, and even then, the wind is cross-onshore or onshore, making it a messy, dangerous beast. The same story repeats on Monday, July 27, with 12 ft to 10 ft sets and strong onshore winds. Not a surfer’s friend.

The end of the month starts to settle. July 28-29 has 6 ft to 8 ft swell, but the wind is onshore, so the surface is lumpy. The energy is still strong (1414-3361), but the quality is poor.

The real standout, and the one to circle on the calendar, is Friday, July 31. The morning brings a clean 8 ft south-west swell with a long period of 15 seconds, and a light offshore breeze. The energy is high (2645), and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That is the pick of the entire 16-day window. The following day, August 1, the swell drops to 5 ft, with a light cross-shore wind, so it’s a smaller, less exciting finish.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are clean and fun for all levels, but the standout is definitely Friday, July 31 morning. The middle of the second week is blown out or too big, so don’t bother. Keep your eyes on that last Friday.

Rusty.

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