Cactus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the one and only spot on the cards for this stretch: Cactus. This is a reef break, so it’s a setup that can handle a bit more oomph, but it’s got a tricky side to it, so it’s one for the intermediate crew and above.

The immediate outlook is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a solid SW groundswell arriving, but for the first few days, the wind is a mess. Friday (4th) and Saturday (5th) are a complete no-go. The wind is either onshore or cross-on and blowing a gale, up to 22 mph, turning that 8ft to 10ft swell into a total washing machine. The wave energy is high (4381 on Friday arvo), but it’s useless. You’d be better off taking the kite out if you’re into that sort of thing.

The first real glimmer of hope hits on Sunday morning (6th). The wind swings offshore from the ENE at 12 mph, and the swell drops to a still-chunky 6ft, coming from the SW with a long 14-second period. The wave energy is a solid 1244, which is a good, punchy amount. That’s the first standout. It’s clean, off-shore, and the reef will be handling that long-period groundswell beautifully. It’s a bit much for beginners (over 5ft), but for the experienced surfer, this is the moment. Water temps are about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

The pattern then gets a bit lumpy. Monday (7th) drops right off to 3ft – not enough to get excited about even with offshore wind. But then Tuesday (8th) morning brings another excellent window. The swell bumps back up to 5ft, but the period stretches to 17 seconds. That is very long-period groundswell. The wind is light offshore from the east at 12 mph, and the wave energy is 1409. The reef at Cactus will love that long period, turning it into proper, lined-up waves. Again, it’s an expert-only session due to the size and power.

Then we hit a long, frustrating gap. From Wednesday (9th) all the way through to Tuesday (15th), the wind turns nasty again. We’re talking strong to near-gale force winds, mostly cross-off or onshore, making a mess of everything. The swell sticks around, but it’s just not worth paddling out. The wave energy gets high again (like 3186 on the 9th), but it's all wind-chop. This is a solid week of nothing.

The next chance pops up on Thursday (17th) morning. The wind backs off to a cross-off 22 mph from the SE, and the swell is a solid 10ft from the SW with a 18-second period. 4703 wave energy. That’s a big, powerful, long-period groundswell. It’s going to be a raw, heavy day. Only for the very experienced. It’s promising, but it’s a week away, so keep an eye on it.

Finally, the last weekend of the forecast brings the best on offer. Friday (18th) morning is a true standout. The wind is a glassy, gentle offshore from the ENE at 9 mph, the swell is a solid 8ft from the SW with a 15-second period, and the wave energy is 2268. That’s the perfect combo for a reef break like Cactus: clean, powerful, and long lines. Saturday (19th) morning is also a beauty, with the swell dropping to 5ft and the same gentle offshore wind. It’s a smaller, cleaner version of the day before.

So, if I had to pick just one or two true standouts: Sunday (6th) morning is the first real chance, and Friday (18th) morning is the one to circle on the calendar. That Friday session at Cactus could be the best of the lot, with clean, solid SW groundswell and perfect offshore conditions. It’s a reef break, so expect an occasional crowd, but it’ll be worth it.

Rusty.

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