Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,506 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 (Aug 19) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 18s. 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 1.6m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty again, just switching over to feet and miles per hour for the imperial crew.
The surf is junk right now, so don’t bother paddling out until Thursday morning, August 22nd. That’s the first real opportunity.
Thursday morning, August 22nd – Cactus jumps to life. Clean 5 ft swell out of the southwest, 15-second period, with a light offshore wind from the ENE at 6 mph. The combined energy is 1254 (moderate). It’s a reef break, intermediate level, and with those clean offshores, it’s going to look real good. Crowds can happen, but mornings are your friend. Water temp is 59°F, right around average for this time of year.
Friday morning, August 23rd stays at about 5 ft from the SW, with a 17-second period. Wind is cross-off from the NNE at 12 mph. Still clean, still good.
Sunday afternoon, August 23rd – my pick for the first week. Swell drops to 4 ft, but the wind goes glassy from the south. Zero chop. Period stays at 16 seconds, so the groundswell is still there with shape and power. Energy is 886 (moderate). Not the biggest, but easily the prettiest.
After a few quiet days on the 24th and 25th, the big one comes through on Thursday afternoon, August 27th. Swell hits 11 ft out of the SW, with a 16-second period. Combined energy is 8789 (very strong). That’s for experts only. The wind is cross-shore from the SSE at 12 mph, so it will be lumpy, but the power is enormous.
The final stretch into early September stays clean with waist-to-chest high SW groundswell. Tuesday morning, September 2nd is another top session: 4 ft, 18-second period, offshore NE wind at 12 mph, glassy. Energy is 891 (moderate). Smooth and lined up.
Best bets: Thursday the 22nd morning and Sunday the 23rd afternoon. The 27th is for the big-wave crew only. The first week of September also looks promising, but keep it loose, forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the S by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 482 | 1376 | 385 | 893 | 685 | 489 | 574 | 939 | 868 | 1484 | 1402 | 1232 | 1123 | 746 | 1267 | 886 | 542 | 341 | 440 | 286 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:40AM1.10m | 2:07PM0.99m | 3:00AM1.03m | 2:07PM0.91m | 3:19AM0.92m | 1:48PM0.84m | 3:31AM0.80m | 12:48PM0.83m | 2:55AM0.66m | 11:50AM0.92m | 1:02AM0.62m | 11:40AM1.06m | 00:18AM0.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:15PM0.01m | 8:30AM0.33m | 8:28PM0.06m | 8:43AM0.44m | 8:36PM0.13m | 8:44AM0.56m | 8:33PM0.21m | 7:56AM0.66m | 8:02PM0.28m | 5:37AM0.64m | 7:09PM0.28m | 5:03AM0.50m | 6:40PM0.23m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | — | WSW 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SW 13 |
| kJ | 482 | — | 188 | 893 | 685 | 489 | 574 | 939 | 868 | 1484 | 1402 | 1232 | 1123 | 746 | 1267 | 886 | 542 | 341 | — | 286 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | SW 22 | SW 20 | — | SW 18 |
| kJ | — | — | 385 | 99 | 201 | 79 | 59 | 303 | 375 | — | — | 22 | 162 | 361 | — | — | 18 | 61 | — | 152 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | WSW 16 | SW 8 | SW 15 | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 9 | 1376 | 17 | 78 | — | — | 66 | 62 | 104 | 74 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 440 | 29 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 401 | 649 | 978 | 1045 | 0 | 1 | 510 | 0 | 552 | 0 | 132 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 632 | 0 |
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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