Cactus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it. Rusty here, and Cactus is the spot we're looking at. It's a reef that likes a solid southwest swell, breaks fairly consistently, and handles the energy well. The water is sitting right around 60 degrees, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, nothing too unusual.

The run starts Thursday the 13th of August. There's a decent south-west swell in the water, about 7 feet, with a long 15-second period. You've got a heap of energy behind it – 2136 on the scale. But the wind is a light cross-on from the south-southwest, just 6 mph, so there's a bit of texture on the face. It's okay, nothing special. Friday the 14th of August morning is where we clean up. Same 7-foot SW groundswell, 16-second period, but the wind switches to a light cross-off from the southeast at 3 mph. The water goes clean. The energy bumps up to 2193. That's the first standout session for the experienced crew.

The swell drops a bit over the weekend. Saturday the 15th morning has 6 feet of SW groundswell, 16-second period, with a moderate offshore wind from the east keeping things clean. Energy is 1392. Sunday the 16th morning gets a lovely light offshore breeze from the east-northeast at 6 mph, with 4-foot swell and a 14-second period. It's clean and glassy, energy at 659. Good fun for the intermediate surfer.

Monday the 17th morning is small but clean, with a 3-foot, 16-second SW groundswell and a moderate offshore wind from the east-northeast at 12 mph. Energy is 682. The afternoon picks up a bit. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are a write-off with strong onshore winds and messy conditions.

Moving into the second week, Thursday the 20th of August morning looks excellent with a light offshore breeze from the east-northeast at 3 mph. The swell is 5 feet from the SW, 16-second period, and the energy climbs back to 1001. Very clean.

Friday the 21st of August morning is another good one. Clear, a light cross-off from the north, and a 5-foot SW groundswell with a 16-second period. Energy is 1284.

Now, circle Saturday the 22nd of August morning. The wind goes dead calm from the south, glassy as it gets. And the swell is a solid 10 feet from the southwest, with a 12-second period. The energy is massive, 2507. This is strictly for experts. The reef will handle it, but this is big and powerful. That's the second standout of the whole two weeks.

Sunday the 23rd morning is still pumping with a clean 7-foot SW groundswell and a 15-second period. Energy at 1692. Light cross-off breeze. The onshore wind messes up the afternoon. Monday the 24th is windy and choppy, and Tuesday the 25th has a 8-foot swell but it's bumpy and onshore, energy at 2700, frustrating. The rest of that week is mostly blown out by strong westerly winds.

The final note is Friday the 28th of August morning. This is a long-range look, so it's promising but not locked in. It shows a clean 6-foot SW groundswell with a very long 19-second period and a light cross-off breeze. Energy is 2503. Long period like that means long gaps between sets, but the waves will be thick and powerful, perfect for this reef. Get that one on the radar.

Best windows: Friday the 14th morning for the clean, powerful start, and Saturday the 22nd morning for the big, glassy, expert-level swell. Cactus is the place to be.

- Rusty

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