Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 5,441 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 15s 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Cactus.
Right now, it’s pretty ugly out there. The wind is howling onshore and the swell is all over the place, delivering weak, chopped-out waves. Honestly, the first week is mostly a write-off. It’s not until Wednesday the 15th that we see our first real standout.
That Wednesday morning, the wind swings offshore from the northeast, light at 6 mph, grooming up a clean, solid 5 ft groundswell from the southwest with a long period of 15 seconds. The energy is moderate, but the quality is excellent for experienced surfers. You’ll get well-shaped lines with decent push, and those long lulls between sets will make paddling out easier. The water temp is sitting at 60°, which is about 1° cooler than average for this time of year, so nothing wild but a little nippy.
Wednesday afternoon holds up too, with light cross-offshore winds and the same clean 5 ft swell. This is the window to jump on. Cactus is a reliable reef break, exposed to southwest swell, and when it lights up like this, it’s a treat.
After that, things drop off. Thursday through the weekend gets smaller and more marginal, with onshore winds returning Sunday the 19th bringing a big, messy 7 ft+ swell but blown out. Not worth it.
The next real highlight is Friday the 24th. That morning it’s glassy with a gentle north cross-offshore breeze, and a clean 4 ft southwest groundswell will deliver fun, clean waves. Best for experienced surfers again. The period is a solid 14 seconds, so there’s good shape.
Overall, there are gaps of several days with no worthwhile surf, especially from this weekend right through to the middle of the following week. Keep your eyes on Wednesday the 15th and Friday the 24th. Those are your days.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 7 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 431 | 753 | 1381 | 1229 | 1150 | 1507 | 3039 | 3039 | 3005 | 2475 | 2061 | 1632 | 1123 | 1053 | 736 | 513 | 377 | 823 | 719 | 614 | 401 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:07AM1.15m | 00:15AM0.53m | 11:48AM1.29m | 00:34AM0.55m | 12:23PM1.38m | 00:49AM0.58m | 12:54PM1.41m | 1:01AM0.62m | 1:19PM1.39m | 1:14AM0.68m | 1:39PM1.33m | 1:29AM0.76m | 1:54PM1.25m | 1:49AM0.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:49PM0.21m | 4:29AM0.36m | 7:15PM0.15m | 5:12AM0.27m | 7:39PM0.14m | 5:46AM0.18m | 7:58PM0.18m | 6:17AM0.12m | 8:10PM0.22m | 6:44AM0.10m | 8:17PM0.25m | 7:10AM0.11m | 8:21PM0.24m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 22 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 16 | — | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 18 | 15 | 1507 | 3039 | — | 3005 | 2475 | 2061 | 1632 | 1123 | 1053 | 736 | 513 | 377 | 823 | 719 | 614 | 401 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 679 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 199 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | SW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 3 | NE 3 | N 4 | N 4 | N 3 |
| kJ | 431 | 753 | 1381 | 1229 | 1150 | 75 | 65 | 3039 | 76 | 68 | 64 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1228 | 1344 | 1344 | 1620 | 1626 | 1229 | 1344 | 1288 | 1035 | 940 | 940 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 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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