
Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 3 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, SW swell with 2,263 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period. 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 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 03) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 3rd Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Cactus has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. We've got a solid run of swell on the way, but the timing and the wind are going to be everything.
The week kicks off on Friday the 3rd with some size, but it's messy. That 8ft SW groundswell is packing a heap of energy (2928), but that cross-on wind has it all chopped up. Not really one to get excited about just yet. Saturday the 4th sees the swell drop back a touch to 6ft in the morning, but the wind swings cross-offshore from the ESE, cleaning things right up. It's a bit smaller, but those clean waves will be much more user-friendly.
Now, Sunday the 5th is the real standout in this first week. We’re looking at clean 6ft SW groundswell, the period's a solid 17 seconds, and we've got a moderate offshore breeze from the ENE. That's a recipe for Cactus to be absolutely firing. The energy is strong (2191), and it’s going to be a proper day for experienced surfers. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th are still clean and fun with the wind, but the swell drops off to around 3ft.
We get another spike mid-week. Wednesday the 8th has another excellent swell pulse, with 6ft SW groundswell, a 17-second period, and a gentle offshore wind. It's a second standout, but not quite as big as Sunday. Conditions are clean and full of energy (1858). The rest of that week and into the next stays rideable but not as good, with the wind turning more cross-offshore and the swell easing.
After the 11th of July, the wheels come off for a bit. We get a strong onshore blow and some lumpy conditions, with the swell hanging around in the 5ft to 8ft range but not worth paddling out for. That stretch from the 12th through to the 16th looks pretty ordinary—poor surf and messy winds, better off finding something else to do.
We finally get a glimmer of hope again right at the end of the outlook. On Friday the 17th of July, a very long period (20 seconds!) groundswell shows up, but it's only 1ft. The wind is offshore from the ENE though, so it’ll be glassy clean. Then on Saturday the 18th, we see a little more life, with clean 3ft SW groundswell and light offshore winds in the afternoon. Not huge, but a nice, clean way to end the run.
So, to wrap it up: Sunday the 5th of July is your best bet, with Wednesday the 8th a close second. Get out there for those if you can.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2868 | 2263 | 1408 | 917 | 765 | 890 | 2191 | 1631 | 976 | 536 | 331 | 183 | 427 | 635 | 1591 | 1858 | 1381 | 886 | 606 | 623 | 623 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:55PM1.36m | 2:01AM0.83m | 2:23PM1.32m | 2:35AM0.83m | 2:52PM1.23m | 3:12AM0.82m | 3:21PM1.09m | 3:58AM0.79m | 3:48PM0.92m | 5:05AM0.77m | 3:57PM0.72m | 7:59AM0.80m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 8:31PM0.15m | 7:42AM0.09m | 8:59PM0.16m | 8:15AM0.16m | 9:29PM0.20m | 8:50AM0.26m | 9:59PM0.25m | 9:32AM0.39m | 10:30PM0.33m | 10:37AM0.56m | 11:00PM0.40m | 11:37PM0.46m | |||||||||
7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
2868 | 2263 | 1408 | 917 | 765 | 890 | 2191 | 1631 | 976 | 536 | 331 | 183 | 427 | 635 | 1591 | 1858 | 1381 | 886 | 606 | 623 | 623 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | — | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | SW 4 |
60 | — | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 76 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1035 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 178 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nullarbor | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










