Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 3,785 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 15s 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let's see what's happening at Cactus. Water's about 60°F, which is right around the average for this time of year.
The start is a bit slow. Tuesday the 1st is a total mess, so we'll skip it. Wednesday the 2nd morning gets better with a clean 4ft SW swell, 16-second period, and light cross-onshore winds. It's only marginal, but the energy is moderate (829). Thursday the 3rd is similar, 6ft to 6ft SW, still marginal with light winds. Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are much the same, with the afternoon of the 5th lifting to 8ft SW and a light breeze, earning a 3/10, so that's the best early window. Sunday the 6th morning has a clean 6ft SW, but a strong 25 mph cross-offshore wind makes it raw. The real standout is Thursday the 10th. Thursday morning brings clear skies, a gentle offshore breeze from the ENE, and a clean 5ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The energy is moderate (998), and conditions are "very good." Thursday afternoon is even better with a light SE cross-offshore, 5ft SW, 15-second period, and "excellent for experienced surfers." That's the one to circle. The following week stays small, with a brief window on Tuesday the 15th afternoon showing a 7ft SW swell, 17-second period, and very strong energy (5122), but it's cross-shore and marginal. Wednesday the 16th morning has a clean 4ft SW with a moderate offshore, rated "very good," so that's another solid option.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, gales from the W by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 692 | 854 | 1014 | 783 | 1776 | 1273 | 1123 | 1203 | 1808 | 1684 | 1452 | 1563 | 1594 | 2584 | 2601 | 1204 | 2868 | 3785 | 3066 | 2319 | 3579 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:54PM1.12m | 2:17AM1.24m | 2:01PM0.98m | 2:38AM1.18m | 1:55PM0.86m | 2:56AM1.07m | 1:20PM0.80m | 3:04AM0.92m | 12:18PM0.85m | 2:38AM0.77m | 11:43AM0.99m | 1:29AM0.68m | 11:44AM1.13m | 00:44AM0.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:57PM-0.01m | 8:24AM0.19m | 8:04PM0.03m | 8:42AM0.36m | 8:05PM0.07m | 8:45AM0.54m | 7:54PM0.11m | 7:58AM0.69m | 7:31PM0.13m | 6:09AM0.69m | 7:06PM0.13m | 5:24AM0.54m | 6:51PM0.12m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | — | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 692 | 614 | 1014 | 783 | 1776 | 1273 | 1123 | 1203 | 1808 | 1684 | 1452 | — | 1594 | 2584 | 2601 | 1204 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | SW 18 | — | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 455 | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | SW 17 | — | — | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SW 14 | — | — | WNW 4 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | — | N 4 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 15 | 854 | — | — | 1108 | 54 | — | 51 | — | — | 9 | 1563 | 53 | 60 | — | 27 | 2868 | 3785 | 3066 | 2319 | 3579 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1344 | 510 | 491 | 510 | 1045 | 1217 | 1035 | 0 | 0 | 649 | 500 | 1035 | 1640 | 1061 | 0 | 503 | 243 | 489 | 668 | 1052 | 1035 |
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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