
Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 3,498 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, let me break this down for Cactus. It’s a reef break, open to the southwest swell. When it’s on, it’s real good. Water temp’s around 61°, dead average for this time of year.
First real surf comes on Tuesday afternoon, July 7th. We’ve got clean 4ft surf out of the southwest with a very long 16-second period – that’s real groundswell. A light cross-offshore breeze means nice, clean lines. The combined energy is moderate at 635, but that long period will give the waves some real punch. It ain’t big, but it’ll be fun.
Wednesday the 8th is the big one. Morning and afternoon both see the swell jump to 5-6ft, still from the southwest, with a period of 16-17 seconds. Wind is offshore from the northeast, light and clean. Energy is strong at 1710 and 1245. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at 6ft, beginners should sit it out. Wednesday is a true standout.
Thursday the 9th backs off to 4-4ft, still long period, but the wind turns cross-on or onshore, messing with the surface. It’s surfable but nothing to write home about.
Friday the 10th is poor – cross-shore winds turning onshore, small swell, low energy. Write it off. Saturday the 11th is a total mess: 6ft of swell but with a weak, short 7-second period and strong cross-onshore winds at 19 mph. Lumpy and nasty. Sunday the 12th stays ugly with onshore winds and a bigger 8ft swell that’s just blown out.
From Friday the 10th through Monday the 13th, it’s a rough stretch. Monday morning has 8ft of SW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s lumpy. The energy is a massive 3167, but the wind ruins it.
Then Tuesday the 14th is another gem. Morning and afternoon bring 6ft of southwest swell, 16-second period, with light offshore or cross-offshore winds. Energy is strong at 1532-1576. Clean and powerful. Wednesday the 15th stays nice with 5ft swell and light offshore winds.
From Thursday the 16th onward, the quality drops again. Winds get stronger or turn onshore. The last week, from the 18th to the 22nd, looks mostly poor with heavy onshore winds and lumpy seas. The 20th and 21st see 10ft of swell but with 28 mph winds – that’s kite territory.
The real standouts are Wednesday the 8th and Tuesday the 14th. Both days have 5-6ft of clean SW groundswell, light offshore winds, and strong energy. If you’re picking days, those are it. The second week is less certain, but those early windows are promising.
Cactus is a reef, so expect some company when it’s clean. Get out there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 7 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
635 | 1245 | 1710 | 1245 | 886 | 472 | 1050 | 763 | 558 | 529 | 331 | 308 | 991 | 1065 | 1572 | 827 | 3498 | 3096 | 2790 | 2386 | 1532 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | off |
High Tide | 3:48PM0.92m | 5:05AM0.77m | 3:57PM0.72m | 7:59AM0.80m | 10:15AM0.97m | 11:53PM0.50m | 11:07AM1.15m | 00:15AM0.53m | 11:48AM1.29m | 00:34AM0.55m | 12:23PM1.38m | 00:49AM0.58m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:30PM0.33m | 10:37AM0.56m | 11:00PM0.40m | 11:37PM0.46m | 6:31PM0.33m | 6:49PM0.21m | 4:29AM0.36m | 7:15PM0.15m | 5:12AM0.27m | 7:39PM0.14m | 5:46AM0.18m | ||||||||||
— | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | |
5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | 5:50 | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | — | SW 12 | SW 20 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
635 | 1245 | 1710 | 1245 | 886 | 472 | 1050 | 763 | 558 | 529 | 331 | — | — | — | 1572 | 65 | 3498 | 3096 | 2790 | 2386 | 1532 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 134 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 102 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | W 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | W 4 | SW 7 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 308 | 991 | 1065 | 1003 | 827 | 2007 | 71 | 67 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 178 | 178 | 1 | 500 | 510 | 1288 | 1229 | 1049 | 1061 | 1623 | 652 | 940 | 941 | 0 | 0 |
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.











