
Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 5,495 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 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 (Aug 14) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cactus in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the pipe for the Cactus region.
The next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag, with some solid SW groundswell energy but a lot of wind to deal with. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual to report on that front.
The first couple of days are a write-off. Saturday morning, we’ve got a 5ft SW swell rolling in with a 16-second period, which is a nice long-period groundswell with moderate energy (1074), but the cross-off wind is only just making it rideable. By Saturday afternoon, it’s a no-go. Sunday and Monday are a complete mess with onshore gales, so forget it. Tuesday and Wednesday are also blown out or onshore, with big, powerful swell in the 8ft to 10ft range, but the wind is just too strong for any kind of order.
The real standout is Friday morning, August 14th. That’s the one to circle. Early, we’ve got a 7ft SW swell rolling in with a 17-second period, and the wind is dead flat – glassy. That’s going to be clean, lined-up, long-period groundswell. The energy is strong (2386), and for a spot like Cactus, which is a reef, this long-period stuff will be absolutely perfect. It’s excellent surf for experienced surfers, so if you’re confident, get in the water. There’s going to be a fair crew out there, as crowds are sometimes an issue.
The following Saturday morning, August 15th, is also looking good. We’ve got a 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the east. That’s clean, solid, and a bit more manageable for the intermediate surfer than the Friday morning set. The energy is still strong (1392). That’s a solid second option.
The next week sees a lot of clean, offshore winds, but the swell really drops off from the 4ft range down to 3ft. The energy is weak (461-659). It’s not going to be pumping, but it’ll be clean and fun for a longboard or a fish if you're desperate. The best of that second week is likely Thursday morning, August 20th, with a 6ft SW swell and a 15-second period, but it’s cross-off, so it won’t be as perfect as the previous week.
The very end of the window, Friday August 21st, has another chance of a clean session with a 6ft SW swell and a light offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (1420), and it’s forecast as excellent for experienced surfers.
So, the headline is this: Friday morning, August 14th, at Cactus. That’s the pick of the bunch. Get there early for the glass and the groundswell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sat morning, gales from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1074 | 856 | 676 | 1324 | 2337 | 2796 | 3882 | 2475 | 1155 | 668 | 3510 | 4234 | 4200 | 5495 | 2506 | 2668 | 2208 | 1808 | 2386 | 2220 | 1787 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:17AM0.96m | 2:07AM0.58m | 11:38AM1.14m | 1:00AM0.58m | 12:03PM1.28m | 00:48AM0.63m | 12:27PM1.36m | 00:49AM0.71m | 12:48PM1.38m | 00:57AM0.80m | 1:06PM1.36m | 1:08AM0.91m | 1:19PM1.30m | 1:22AM1.00m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:25PM0.20m | 4:19AM0.56m | 7:12PM0.14m | 5:06AM0.41m | 7:16PM0.11m | 5:37AM0.27m | 7:23PM0.11m | 6:04AM0.16m | 7:30PM0.12m | 6:29AM0.08m | 7:34PM0.13m | 6:52AM0.05m | 7:37PM0.11m | ||||||||
7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | |
mm | — | 2 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
1074 | 856 | 676 | — | — | — | — | 2475 | 1155 | 668 | 1652 | — | — | 5495 | 2506 | 2668 | 2208 | 1808 | 2386 | 2220 | 1787 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | WSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — |
— | 11 | 35 | 1324 | 2337 | 2796 | 3882 | 42 | 32 | 70 | 3510 | 4234 | 4200 | 3554 | 64 | — | 62 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 401 | 553 | 649 | 564 | 500 | 1111 | 1165 | 1457 | 500 | 1227 | 1227 | 1052 | 1229 | 1344 | 649 | 1054 | 648 | 0 | 0 | 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.











