Raffs Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into the outlook for Raffs Beach.

We’ve got a pretty wild ride coming up over the next couple of weeks. For a beginner-friendly spot, this swell window is packing some serious muscle, but the wind is going to be the real decision-maker. Things start off promising, but we’re looking at a few days where the ocean is just plain angry, and then a sweet, clean stretch to finish.

First up, Friday morning, August 7th. The surf is a manageable 5ft, and it’s a long-period groundswell from the southwest at 16 seconds. That’s proper energy with a combined swell energy of 1018, and it’s clean. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore from the WNW. The water is sitting at 55°F, which is about average for this time of year. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but for a beginner break, it’s a bit punchy. The afternoon turns a little cross-on, so it’s not as clean.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th are a bit of a mixed bag. Saturday morning looks tasty with clean offshore winds, the same 4ft southwest groundswell, and a combined energy of 918. The wind is offshore at 12 mph, so it’ll be groomed. Sunday, however, the wind jumps to a strong 28 mph cross-off, which is going to make it messy and poor. The swell drops to 3ft, but the wind is just too strong for a fun paddle.

Now, here’s where it gets heavy. Monday the 10th, we’ve got a monster 10ft southwest swell on a 19-second period, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore from the southwest. The combined energy is a massive 6313. That is a lot of water moving around, and it’s going to be a washing machine. Monday afternoon sees 12ft, but it’s a shorter period, and the wind is cross-shore. The swell is just too big for this break. This is a kite surfer’s day, not a paddle surfer’s. Tuesday the 11th through Thursday the 13th, we’re in the same boat. The swell is between 6ft and 15ft, with strong winds and a lot of energy. Thursday morning peaks at 15ft and 13300 combined energy – that’s a big, powerful, and dangerous ocean. Stay out of the water unless you’re towing in.

That big stuff clears out by Friday the 14th, but it’s still a bit lumpy and cross-shore with 8ft to 8ft swell. The real turn-around is Sunday, August 16th. The morning is glassy. The wind is a light, 3 mph offshore from the north, and that’s a major positive. The swell is a clean 6ft from the southwest at 14 seconds, with a combined energy of 1247. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The water is still cool, but the conditions are perfect.

Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th keep the clean, glassy mornings rolling with a 4ft to 5ft groundswell. The wind is light, things are clean, and the sets will have some nice shape. Wednesday the 19th through Friday the 21st, we’ve got consistent, clean mornings with offshore winds and a 3ft to 4ft southwest swell. It’s not huge, but it’s fun and user-friendly for the beginner crew. The standout here is the glassy Sunday morning of the 16th. That’s the pick of the lot. The clean, long-period groundswell and the lack of wind are going to make for some perfect, peelable waves.

The final weekend, Saturday the 22nd, starts with a solid 8ft swell from the southwest but with a short 10-second period and light winds. That’s good for experienced surfers, but the short period will make it a bit fat. The afternoon drops to 5ft and is clean.

Rusty out.

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