Cactus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, listen up. I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Cactus. It’s a reef break that loves a good SW groundswell, and we’ve got plenty of that on the way. The water’s sitting at 61°F right now, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year – nothing to write home about.

The real story is the size. This isn’t a week for learners. We’re starting off with a solid pulse. Wednesday the 9th kicks things off with a 6ft swell from the SW, but that cross-off ESE wind at 25 mph is going to make it a battle. The combined energy is a massive 2632 (moderate to strong), but the conditions are marginal. You’ll be scratching for a clean one.

Thursday the 10th is a step up in quality. The wind swings E at 19 mph, going offshore, and we’ve got a 6ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period. The energy is still chunky at 1571. That’s proper, clean reef surf. It’s a good day for the experienced crew.

Friday the 11th is where it gets interesting. The swell drops a touch to 4ft, but the period is a lovely 15 seconds, and the wind is light offshore from the ENE at 16 mph. The water will be glassy. The energy is a bit lower at 707, but the quality will be there. This is a standout morning for a longboard or a funboard.

Saturday the 12th is still rideable with 4ft from the SW and a 17-second period, but the wind goes cross-off from the NNE. It’s clean, but the energy drops to 1143. It’s a solid session, not epic.

Sunday the 13th is a write-off. The wind goes cross-on from the SSW, the swell drops, and the energy is weak. Don’t bother.

We then have a flat spell through Monday the 14th and into Tuesday the 15th. The 15th sees a new pulse of 6ft SW swell arrive, but the wind is cross-off from the E. It’s okay, but the real highlight is Wednesday the 16th. The forecast is calling for a 6ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the NNE at 6 mph. The energy is 1357, and the notes say “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That is the best on offer in the entire window. The reef will be lining up perfectly.

After that, it’s a mixed bag. Thursday the 17th has a 4ft SW swell, but the afternoon gets ruined by a 22 mph cross-shore wind. The 21st has a 5ft SW swell with light offshore NE wind, which is a good morning session. But the real wildcard is the 22nd of September. We’re looking at a 8ft building to a 10ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period. The energy is off the charts at 3314 and 4766 – that’s strong to very strong wave energy. But the wind is cross-on from the S, making it choppy and messy. That’s a massive, powerful, straight-breaking wall of water. For the experts only, and even then, it’s a kite-surfing day if you’ve got the gear. The 23rd and 24th are blown out by strong southerly winds.

So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Friday the 11th for the clean, fun-sized waves, and Wednesday the 16th for the bigger, more powerful, and perfectly groomed reef set. The 22nd is a monster, but only for the brave.

Rusty.

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