Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,433 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cactus this week:
The surf forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cactus in the next 16 days are 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, on the sand. Let’s talk about what’s coming.
The surf starts off slow, but it’s got a real build-up in it. First few days are small, so don’t get too excited just yet. By the middle of next week, it’s game on.
The spot is Cactus (reef) . It’s a fairly consistent break, open to the SW swell. Water temp is about 60°, which is right on the money for this time of year.
Monday morning (Sep 7th) is a dud. Small 4ft SW swell, cross-off wind, not much going on. Tuesday morning (Sep 8th) is the first real sign of life. The swell jumps to 5ft from the SW, with a 17-second period—that’s deep groundswell. Wave energy is strong (1519), and the wind is a gentle cross-off. Clean, lined-up, and powerful. This is for the experienced crew, not for beginners.
Wednesday morning (Sep 9th) pushes the swell to 6ft, but the wind is a strong cross-off at 25 mph. The energy is very high (2567), but the wind is going to mess it up.
Thursday morning (Sep 10th) is a standout. The swell is 6ft from the SW, 16-second period, and the wind goes offshore from the east at 19 mph. That’s fresh offshore and clean. Wave energy is strong (1571), and the waves will be holding shape. This is a top session for experienced surfers.
Friday afternoon (Sep 11th) is a fun little window. The swell drops to 4ft, but the wind is a gentle offshore from the ENE. The period is a long 15 seconds, and the energy is moderate (648). It’s going to be glassy and clean. Good for intermediates.
Saturday (Sep 12th) and Sunday (Sep 13th) are a mess. Swell drops, wind turns, conditions go poor. A big gap in quality here.
Tuesday morning (Sep 15th) is a return to clean, small surf: 4ft SW swell, 13-second period, cross-off wind.
Wednesday morning (Sep 16th) is another highlight. The swell is 5ft from the SW, 15-second period, and the wind is offshore from the east at 16 mph. Wave energy is strong (1138), and the conditions are clean. Excellent for experienced surfers.
Saturday morning (Sep 19th) is a big one. The swell hits 7ft from the SW, 15-second period, and the wind is a light offshore from the north. The energy is very strong (2014). This is big, clean groundswell. Only for experts.
Sunday morning (Sep 20th) is a solid follow-up: 5ft SW swell, gentle offshore wind, clean.
Tuesday morning (Sep 22nd) is the far-out promise. The swell is 7ft from the SW with a 17-second period, and the wind is a gentle offshore from the ENE. The energy is very strong (2790). It’s a long way off, but it looks incredible.
Best bets are the Thursday (10th) and Wednesday (16th) for the cleanest, punchy groundswell. The Saturday (19th) is for the big-wave crew. Cactus can get crowded sometimes, so plan for company.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the ESE by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 394 | 440 | 850 | 1519 | 1381 | 1096 | 2367 | 2381 | 2214 | 1571 | 1284 | 881 | 536 | 648 | 677 | 468 | 266 | 595 | 437 | 416 | 318 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:44AM1.13m | 00:44AM0.70m | 11:57AM1.23m | 00:28AM0.79m | 12:11PM1.28m | 00:26AM0.90m | 12:24PM1.29m | 00:33AM1.03m | 12:37PM1.26m | 00:44AM1.14m | 12:48PM1.22m | 00:58AM1.24m | 12:58PM1.18m | 1:14AM1.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:51PM0.12m | 5:29AM0.37m | 6:45PM0.11m | 5:45AM0.23m | 6:43PM0.10m | 6:04AM0.12m | 6:44PM0.07m | 6:23AM0.05m | 6:47PM0.04m | 6:43AM0.02m | 6:53PM-0.01m | 7:01AM0.02m | 7:01PM-0.05m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 394 | 440 | 850 | 1519 | 1381 | 1096 | 2367 | 2381 | 2214 | 1571 | 1284 | 881 | 536 | 648 | 677 | 468 | 266 | 595 | 437 | 416 | 318 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 13 | — | — | — | S 8 | — | — | — | SW 26 | SW 25 | SW 23 | — | SE 4 | SW 18 | SW 19 | — | — | NW 5 | W 4 |
| kJ | 71 | 204 | 202 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 26 | 25 | 21 | — | 2 | 349 | 224 | — | — | 26 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 115 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | ESE 2 | SSE 5 | — | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 8 | ESE 5 | E 4 | ESE 2 | E 3 | ENE 4 | — | NE 3 | NNE 3 | NNW 4 | N 3 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | — |
| kJ | 16 | 1 | 29 | — | — | 94 | 199 | 257 | 48 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 8 | — | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 16 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 132 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 552 | 491 | 1652 | 1577 | 491 | 361 | 132 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 178 | 1 | 564 | 506 | 146 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nullarbor | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cactus Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cactus provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cactus can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cactus surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Cactus) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Cactus may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Nullarbor? If you are looking for accommodation near Cactus, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nullarbor, consider staying in Thevenard which is 63 km (39 miles) away.
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