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Raffs, Barwon Heads

Vic 3227
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UNPATROLLED BEACH TODAY

Beach number: vic283C
State/Region: VIC - Barwon Heads
Beach name: RAFFS
General Beach Hazard Rating: 5
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach

Raffs Beach occupies the western 1.5 km of the 11 km long stretch of sand and reef that runs from Point Lonsdale to the Barwon River mouth. The beach extends from the western side of Ocean Grove out to the river mouth. It is backed by a 200 m wide, vegetated sand spit with the Barwon River on the other side. The Barwon Heads Road parallels the beach. There is a foreshore reserve between the road and the beach, that has a camping area on both sides of the road. It also has a car park and numerous beach access tracks over the low dunes.

The beach swings around in lee of Barwon Heads to face south, then south-east. Waves are lowered by refracting around the head, and average 0.6 m at the beach. This produces a wide, low gradient, continuous bar, which is usually free of rips.

 

Swimming

A moderately safe beach that is better at high tide, with a greater chance of rips at low tide. Be careful near the river mouth as it has deep tidal channels and strong currents.

 

Surfing

There are beach breaks, which decrease in size, all the way to the river mouth. Best conditions are in a moderate swell and north-west to westerly winds. This is a good place to check out when westerlies are blowing.

 

Fishing

The river mouth is the best location, as the beach tends to be wide and shallow.

 

General

A popular summer camping area, with people using both the beach and backing river for various recreational pursuits.

 

Carpark

Type: Formal parking area
Spaces: 100

 

SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate.

Weather
Today
 
17°
wind
SSE/20 km/h
 
  • Sat
    21°
    N/A
  • Sun
    22°
    14°
  • Mon
    24°
    14°
  • Tue
    26°
    14°
  • Wed
    31°
    15°
  • Thu
    30°
    20°
GEELONG RACECOU (16 km) issued at 21:30 (EST)
Water
19
Issued at Sat, February 11 13:00
Swell Forecast
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • SW
    0.6 m
  • SW
    0.9 m
  • SW
    1.2 m
  • SW
    1 m
  • SW
    0.9 m
8 km from Barwon Heads issued at Sat, February 11 17:00 (EST)
 
Today's Tide
  • High
    3:15
    1.54m
  • Low
    9:03
    0.36m
  • High
    15:31
    1.48m
  • Low
    21:13
    0.30m
 
issued at Sat, February 11 10:00 (Local Time)
UV Index
10
 
 

RAAFs Beach (Lifeguards)

Phone 03 9676 6930

*Although SLSA has tried to ensure that this information is accurate, as it has been provided by surf life saving club(s) and/or other organisations, SLSA takes no responsibility for its accuracy. Please contact the entity(s) displayed directly if you need any further information. .

RAAFs Beach (Lifeguards)

26 December to 26 January
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 10:00 am to 6:00 pm


Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012

There is no beach service this week.

Click here to visit general beach safety information

 

SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate.