Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SSW swell with 7,094 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming.
First few days are nothing to write home about. Small, lumpy, cross-onshore winds. Sunday and Monday are pretty hopeless, and by Tuesday the swell pushes up to around 7ft from the SW, 14-second period, but it’s choppy and messy. The water temp is normal for the season, nothing unusual.
The turnaround starts Thursday morning, 30 July. Wind drops to almost nothing, just a light breeze from the SE, and the ocean turns glassy. Swell runs about 5ft from the southwest, 13-second period. Combined wave energy is 732 (moderate). That’s a solid morning—clean reef waves, good shape. Crowds are possible here, and with conditions that good, you’ll have company.
Friday stays clean but the swell drops to around 3ft from the SW. Still rideable but less punch. The weekend looks smaller, and winds pick up again.
Then there’s a gap. Onshore winds and rain mess things up until Wednesday morning, 5 August. That’s the real standout. Swell hits about 5ft from the southwest with a 15-second period, light cross-off from NNE, and 1020 energy (moderate to strong). That’s excellent for experienced surfers. Clean, long lines, and proper power. Don’t miss it.
Later in the second week, you get a bigger pulse on the 7th of August (afternoon)—7ft from WSW, 18-second period. That’s a serious groundswell. Energy around 2808 (strong). With cross-off wind it could be magic, but the breeze could shift.
Bottom line: the first few days are flat or ugly. Thursday 30 July and Wednesday 5 August are your best bets. Get in the water then.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the NW by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 373 | 293 | 303 | 263 | 95 | 238 | 1148 | 1624 | 1526 | 2233 | 2796 | 1863 | 1116 | 732 | 600 | 380 | 290 | 277 | 442 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:21AM0.53m | 11:34AM1.07m | 00:05AM0.60m | 11:55AM1.19m | 00:14AM0.69m | 12:17PM1.29m | 00:29AM0.76m | 12:39PM1.36m | 00:47AM0.84m | 1:00PM1.41m | 1:08AM0.91m | 1:22PM1.42m | 1:30AM0.97m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:11AM0.45m | 6:49PM0.30m | 4:58AM0.34m | 6:51PM0.22m | 5:30AM0.23m | 7:02PM0.16m | 5:57AM0.13m | 7:16PM0.11m | 6:24AM0.06m | 7:33PM0.07m | 6:50AM0.01m | 7:50PM0.04m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 12 | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 373 | 293 | 303 | 263 | 73 | 238 | 1148 | — | — | — | 2796 | 1863 | 1116 | 732 | 600 | 380 | 290 | 277 | 442 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 14 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 24 | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 10 | 95 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 21 | 71 | 239 | 134 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 5 | W 7 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NNE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | 77 | 238 | 759 | 1624 | 1526 | 2233 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 178 | 649 | 978 | 648 | 1435 | 1470 | 940 | 491 | 1035 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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.
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