Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The first real wave of the period is coming up this Sunday the 30th of August. Raffs Beach is the only spot in the game, and it’s a beginner-friendly stretch that’s fairly consistent. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is basically bang on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

Sunday morning looks alright. We’ve got a 6ft swell rolling in from the south-west, with a solid 13-second period pushing a heap of energy – we’re talking 1254 units of combined energy. The wind is a light cross-off from the west-northwest at 6 mph, so conditions should be clean. This is a good option for the intermediate crew, but it’s a bit punchy for complete beginners. The afternoon turns a bit messy with the wind swinging onshore, so morning is the call.

Monday the 31st builds on that. The swell holds around 7ft from the same south-west direction, the period stretches to 14 seconds, and the energy jumps up to 1670 in the morning. Wind is a light cross-off from the northwest at just 3 mph, making for glassy conditions. Monday morning is the standout of this first week – clean, solid, and with enough punch to get the blood pumping. The afternoon stays clean too, with a cross-off from the east. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early.

Tuesday the 1st of September sees a fresh offshore breeze from the north at 19 mph, but a 5ft swell with a 15-second period keeps things clean. The energy is still strong at 1282. That offshore wind will groom the waves nicely, but the wind strength makes it a bit of a battle to paddle out. Wednesday and Thursday see the swell building, but the wind picks up as well. Thursday afternoon gets a massive 13ft swell from the south-west with a 13-second period, but the wave energy is off the charts at 7967. That’s too big for this break in my opinion, and the wind is cross-shore, so it’s likely just a washing machine. That’s more of a kite surfer’s playground than a paddle surfer’s.

Friday the 4th of September offers a solid 10ft swell with a 16-second period in the morning, but it’s flagged as too big for the break. The afternoon improves: 8ft, 16-second period, and a moderate offshore from the north-northwest at 12 mph. That’s clean, powerful, and for experienced surfers only. This is a genuine standout for the second half of the run.

The following week, from the 6th onward, the swell drops back. There’s a gap of a few days where the surf is smaller and the wind is messy. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are weak and choppy. By Wednesday the 9th, the swell picks up again to 8ft, but the wind is cross-on, so not great.

The real highlight in the second week is the morning of Friday the 11th of September. A 4ft swell from the south-west, but with a very long 20-second period, and an offshore breeze from the north-northeast at 6 mph. The energy is still high at 2163 despite the smaller height. That long period groundswell will wrap in nicely, offering clean, lined-up waves. It’s a promising call, but it’s far out, so keep an eye on it.

Saturday the 12th of September is another beauty. The swell is 5ft from the south-west, 17-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the north-northwest. The afternoon turns glassy, with a 5ft swell and 16-second period. That’s a treat.

So, if you’re looking for the best of the bunch, Monday morning the 31st of August is your first standout. And for the long-range call, Friday the 11th of September morning is worth marking on the calendar – just don’t book the day off work yet.

Rusty.

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