Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cookin’ at Raffs Beach.

Right now, we’ve got a monster swell hammering the beach, but it’s just too much. For the next couple of days, the swell is way oversized – we’re talking 14.8ft dropping to 9.8ft through Thursday and Friday, with a huge amount of energy in the water (10901 to 4012). That’s a lot of water moving, and for a beginner-friendly beach break, it’s a washing machine. The wind is cross to cross-off, so it’ll look clean, but the size is only for the real pros, if anyone. Leave the log at home.

Saturday the 5th of September starts off iffy. Morning has 6.6ft of SW swell with a 15-second period, but a fresh breeze from the WNW at 22 mph makes it clean but a bit raw. The combined energy is still moderate (1880). By the afternoon, it turns ugly with a risk of thunderstorms and the same gusty wind – best to skip it. Sunday the 6th is a write-off too – 6.6ft dropping to 5.9ft, but the wind switches to cross and cross-on, making for a lumpy, choppy mess.

Monday the 7th is poor, with onshore winds and small, weak swell. Not worth it.

Now, Tuesday the 8th of September is a real standout for the experienced crew. The morning has a clean 3.6ft of SW groundswell with a very long 18-second period, and light cross-off wind from the WNW at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (1082), but those long-period waves will be packing a punch and offering some great shape. This is best for a reef or point – at a beach break, those long-period swells can close out, but for a skilled surfer, it’s a gem. The water temp is around 56.3°, which is about average for this time of year.

Wednesday the 9th gets blown out again with a strong onshore flow and a big jump in swell (9.8ft to 11.5ft) – a real mess. Thursday the 10th is still too big and onshore, no good.

Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th bring smaller, cleaner windows. Saturday morning the 12th is another good call: 6.2ft of SW swell at 15 seconds, with a gentle cross-off breeze from the NE. The combined energy is moderate (1676), and the surf will be clean and fun for the better surfers. A solid, reliable option.

Sunday the 13th through Tuesday the 15th sees the swell drop back to 3.6ft to 4.3ft, with offshore winds keeping things clean, but the energy is low (under 1000). It’s marginal but surfable if you’re keen for a small-wave session.

Wednesday the 16th of September brings a real highlight. After a stretch of smaller, clean waves, Wednesday afternoon goes glassy. The wind drops to a whisper from the NNE, the swell bumps up to a solid 7.5ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 4251. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers, with perfect, clean conditions. Mark that one.

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th turn ugly again – strong onshore gales and big, messy swell (9.8ft dropping to 6.9ft). That’s a hard pass.

So, the best bets: Tuesday morning the 8th for the experienced crew wanting a long-period, clean groundswell, and Wednesday afternoon the 16th for a glassy, powerful session. Saturday the 12th is also a solid, clean day.

Crowds are *sometimes* around here, so you might see a few other heads, but nothing too crazy. The swell is mostly from the SSW, and the optimum direction is SW, so it’s lining up well.

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