Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Alright, we’re looking at a solid run of south-west groundswell for Raffs Beach, but this one comes with a big caveat: this place is a beginner’s wave, and for most of the next week, the ocean is going to be way too big for anyone who isn’t an expert. We’ve got a real slow start with nothing worth paddling out for in the first few days – the morning of the 1st has 6 ft of swell, but the wind is slamming in from the north-west at 16 mph, so it’s messy and onshore-ish. The afternoon drops to 5 ft but the wind stays cross-offshore, still too weak to get excited about.

Things start building from Wednesday the 2nd, with the swell picking up to 6 ft on the morning and 7 ft by the afternoon. It’s clean, with 15-16 second periods, but the water’s churning with moderate energy (1928 and 1992). Honestly, it’s fun-sized but nothing special and the crowds are only *sometimes* around, so you might have it to yourself.

But here’s where it gets real: from Thursday the 3rd through to Sunday the 6th, we’re looking at massive, angry waves. The 3rd sees the swell jump to 10 ft in the morning (energy 3086) and by the afternoon it’s 15 ft (10563!) with a serious west-north-west wind. Friday the 4th is 10 ft with offshore north-north-west winds, making it look clean but it’s still a monster for a beginner break. Saturday the 5th is the biggest – 12 ft morning and then 16 ft in the afternoon, energy hitting 14414. That’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle-surfing. A beach setup like Raffs with that much size and a 13-14 second period is going to be a washing machine. Unless you’re a seasoned charger, stay on the sand.

Sunday the 6th is the first real standout window. The swell drops to 7 ft in the morning with light winds shifting cross-off, and the period stays at 14 seconds (energy 1972). It’s excellent for experienced surfers – still too big for the beginners this wave is best for. Clean, lighter wind, but those 6 ft+ waves are more for someone who knows what they’re doing. The Sunday afternoon eases to 6 ft (1375), still clean.

Then things settle. Monday the 7th is small – 4 ft morning, 3 ft afternoon – with gentle offshore winds. The energy is weak (397 and 376), so you’re getting little ankle-to-knee-high rollers. Not worth rushing out.

Tuesday the 8th morning is a nice surprise: 5 ft swell, 13 second period, glassy calm wind – barely a breath from the north-north-west. Energy is moderate (1444). That’s a clean, fun, beginner-friendly wave, and for a Tuesday the crowds will be thin. That’s probably your best session of the first week, given the size is right and conditions are pristine.

After that, Wednesday the 9th goes sideways again – 18 ft in the morning with howling SW winds at 25 mph (energy 18826), total chaos. The 10th and 11th still hold 8 ft to 7 ft, but with cross-shore winds that make it lumpy. Not trash, but not great.

The real hidden gem comes on Sunday the 13th. Morning: 5 ft, 13 second period, calm glassy conditions (energy 802). Afternoon: 4 ft, still glassy (669). That’s the quiet, clean, perfect beginner wave. No wind, waist-high, easy paddling. That’s the session to mark on your calendar – it’s a week and a half out, so forecasts might shift, but if it holds, it’s the best of the 16 days for a relaxed surf.

To sum it up: the standout is Sunday morning the 13th for the small, glassy, clean conditions. The backup is Tuesday morning the 8th – same deal, just a touch more breeze. Anything bigger than 8 ft at Raffs is asking for a beating.

Stay safe, and don’t take the big stuff too seriously.
Rusty

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