Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 4,389 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.
The first few days are a total loss. Wednesday the 12th is a mess – 8ft of SW swell getting hammered by onshore wind, and the water is 59°, which is about normal for the season. The combined energy is a massive 3791, but you can’t surf it.
Thursday the 13th is still marginal. The real start is Friday morning, August 14th. That’s a standout. The swell is 7ft from the SW, with a long 16-second period, and the wind is light cross-offshore from the ESE. Clean, lined-up reef at Cactus, with energy at 2220. It’s intermediate-sized, and the break is fairly consistent. You might share it with a few others.
Saturday afternoon, August 15th is another gem. The swell drops to 5ft, but the wind goes pure offshore from the east at 12 mph. That’s glassy, clean conditions. Energy is 1265. For experienced surfers, this is prime.
The swell drops through the next week, but Monday, August 17th holds offshore winds. It’s smaller, around 4 to 4ft, but with a 16-second period and clean conditions, you’ll get fun waves. Energy is around 800.
There’s a slow spell, then Saturday, August 22nd afternoon fires again. The swell jumps to 7ft from the WSW, 15-second period, with a light cross-offshore NNE wind. Clean, solid reef surf with energy at 1921. That’s the second clear standout.
After that, it gets messy. Sunday, August 23rd has 8ft of SW swell but the wind is howling from the NE at 22 mph – it’s cross-off but the quality is poor. The final days are all onshore wind and big, lumpy swell. By Wednesday, August 26th, we’re looking at 10ft from the WSW with a strong breeze straight onshore. Energy is 3305, but it’s a total mess – more for kite surfers than paddle surfers.
So, the best windows are Friday morning, August 14th and Saturday afternoon, August 15th, with a solid backup on Saturday afternoon, August 22nd. The rest is mostly blown out or too big and messy. Get it while you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3791 | 3272 | 4288 | 2516 | 2075 | 1907 | 2220 | 2017 | 1697 | 1410 | 1265 | 847 | 659 | 581 | 440 | 719 | 539 | 472 | 686 | 493 | 366 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:48PM1.38m | 00:57AM0.80m | 1:06PM1.36m | 1:08AM0.91m | 1:19PM1.30m | 1:22AM1.00m | 1:29PM1.24m | 1:39AM1.08m | 1:39PM1.18m | 1:58AM1.12m | 1:49PM1.13m | 2:19AM1.13m | 1:59PM1.07m | 2:40AM1.10m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:30PM0.12m | 6:29AM0.08m | 7:34PM0.13m | 6:52AM0.05m | 7:37PM0.11m | 7:13AM0.06m | 7:42PM0.07m | 7:34AM0.10m | 7:51PM0.03m | 7:53AM0.16m | 8:02PM0.01m | 8:12AM0.23m | 8:15PM0.01m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | — | — | 4288 | 2516 | 2075 | 1907 | 2220 | 2017 | 1697 | 1410 | 1265 | 847 | 659 | 581 | 440 | 719 | 539 | 472 | 686 | 493 | 366 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 20 | S 10 | SE 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 86 | 222 | 373 | 7 | 5 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | — | SSE 5 | — | NNE 3 | NNW 3 | NE 3 |
| kJ | 3791 | 3272 | 2538 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1236 | 1229 | 649 | 0 | 648 | 0 | 0 | 243 | 243 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 564 | 401 | 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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