Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,147 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m 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 1.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s ahead for Cactus.
First up, we’ve got a solid pulse of SW groundswell rolling in this Wednesday morning. Swell is 6ft at 15 seconds from the SW, with a strong wave energy reading of 1204. The wind is light offshore from the ENE, so the surface is clean. Water temp sits at 60°, which is about average for this time of year. Conditions are excellent but this is one for experienced surfers only – at this size, it’s no place for beginners. The reef break setup at Cactus can handle a long-period swell like this, and with the wind holding offshore all day, Wednesday afternoon will be just as good, with 5ft swell and clean faces.
Thursday and Friday see the swell drop a bit to 5ft and then 4ft, but the wind swings more cross-offshore from the NNE. It’s still clean, but the wave energy drops from 1306 to 619, so the punch fades. The quality is more marginal—still surfable, but not the standout.
The weekend tails off hard. Saturday morning is only 3ft, and by Sunday we’re dropping to 1ft with a fresh cross-offshore breeze that kills the fun. The wave energy is pitiful, around 257, and the conditions are poor. Monday and Tuesday stay small and messy, with cross-shore or onshore winds making things lumpy. We’re looking at a real flat spell from Saturday through to Tuesday.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The real standout is on Wednesday, July 24th. A fresh SW groundswell builds to 7ft at 15 seconds, with a strong 1765 wave energy. The wind goes light offshore from the east again, delivering glassy, clean surf. This is the best of the window—excellent, powerful waves for experienced surfers. Thursday, July 25th is also promising, with 7ft at 16 seconds and even higher energy at 2173, plus offshore winds from the NE in the morning. That’s the biggest, most powerful swell of the whole run, and it’s lining up perfectly for Cactus.
The second week sees the swell easing again. Sunday July 26th offers 5ft, clean with light offshore wind, but it’s smaller. After that, it’s a slow fade into tiny surf through the end of July, with only knee-high leftovers and light winds. Nothing to get excited about.
So, the pick of the week is Wednesday July 24th and Friday July 25th mornings. The first one is solid and clean, the second is the biggest and most powerful. Both are for experienced surfers only. If you’re after a paddle, those are your windows.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sun morning, calm by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1204 | 1011 | 813 | 836 | 1147 | 763 | 619 | 532 | 407 | 212 | 178 | 132 | 133 | 370 | 653 | 566 | 412 | 379 | 444 | 374 | 281 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:19PM1.39m | 1:14AM0.68m | 1:39PM1.33m | 1:29AM0.76m | 1:54PM1.25m | 1:49AM0.83m | 2:05PM1.17m | 2:13AM0.89m | 2:16PM1.10m | 2:41AM0.91m | 2:26PM1.04m | 3:13AM0.90m | 2:35PM0.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:10PM0.22m | 6:44AM0.10m | 8:17PM0.25m | 7:10AM0.11m | 8:21PM0.24m | 7:34AM0.15m | 8:28PM0.21m | 7:58AM0.22m | 8:40PM0.17m | 8:22AM0.31m | 8:56PM0.16m | 8:45AM0.42m | 9:13PM0.18m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 1204 | 1011 | 813 | 836 | 1147 | 763 | 619 | 532 | 407 | 212 | 178 | 132 | 69 | 370 | 653 | 566 | 412 | 379 | 444 | 374 | 281 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 13 | — | S 10 | NW 4 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 470 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 18 | 133 | 84 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 55 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NE 3 | N 3 | — | NNE 2 | N 3 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | N 4 | NNW 4 | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | SW 13 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 5 | — | 10 | — | — | — | 44 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 401 | 178 | 1 | 401 | 1 | 1 | 178 | 500 | 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.
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