Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 1,537 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s. 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 2.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Cactus.
Straight up, the next few days are a bit of a write-off. We're looking at a real slow start, with nothing worth paddling out for on Saturday the 18th or Sunday the 19th. The swell is tiny and the wind is all over the shop. Hang tight, because the real action doesn't kick off until the end of the week.
The pick of the whole run is shaping up to be Friday the 31st of July. The combined energy of all swells directed here is a massive 5064, and we’re looking at a solid 10ft swell from the SW with a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. With a moderate offshore breeze from the ENE keeping things clean, this is a day for the experts only. That size, with that period, is going to be too much for the inexperienced, but for those who know what they're doing, the waves at Cactus (reef) will be exceptional. The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is about average for the time of year, so a good 3/2mm wetsuit will be fine.
Before that big day, there are some decent windows to get wet. Thursday the 24th of July is worth a mention. The morning will see a 5ft SW groundswell (14-second period) with a light offshore wind from the NE. The combined energy is 1006, so there’s a good push of water. Best for experienced surfers, but it’s a clean, solid option. The afternoon gets a bit smaller but still clean.
Another standout is Thursday the 30th of July. The morning shows a 8ft SW swell with a moderate offshore wind from the ENE. It’s a bit of a shorter period at 10 seconds, but it’s clean and the energy is building. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 10ft, setting up the big Friday.
The 1st of August also has a good morning window with a 7ft, 15-second SSW swell and a light offshore from the ENE. The combined energy is 1943, so there’s plenty of grunt for experienced surfers.
After that, the wind turns more onshore and the quality drops off. The 2nd of August looks sloppy with cross-onshore winds.
So to wrap it up: the early days are a bust, but the end of July and the first day of August are where it’s at. That Friday the 31st is the one to circle on the calendar, but be ready for a big, powerful swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 215 | 208 | 132 | 133 | 516 | 587 | 566 | 543 | 604 | 437 | 352 | 319 | 471 | 246 | 1163 | 1378 | 1270 | 1179 | 810 | 573 | 412 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:05PM1.17m | 2:13AM0.89m | 2:16PM1.10m | 2:41AM0.91m | 2:26PM1.04m | 3:13AM0.90m | 2:35PM0.96m | 3:48AM0.86m | 2:35PM0.87m | 4:33AM0.79m | 2:02PM0.79m | 11:56AM0.81m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 8:28PM0.21m | 7:58AM0.22m | 8:40PM0.17m | 8:22AM0.31m | 8:56PM0.16m | 8:45AM0.42m | 9:13PM0.18m | 9:06AM0.53m | 9:29PM0.23m | 9:12AM0.65m | 9:34PM0.31m | 8:49PM0.38m | |||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | — | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 215 | 208 | 132 | 71 | 516 | 587 | 566 | 543 | 604 | 437 | 352 | — | — | 246 | 1163 | 1378 | 1270 | 1179 | 810 | 573 | 412 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 13 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 18 | 133 | 104 | 8 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | NNW 3 | NNE 2 | N 4 | NW 4 | — | NNW 3 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | SW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 6 | SSW 14 | — | — | — | ENE 2 | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 3 | — | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | 319 | 471 | 103 | 81 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 178 | 1 | 401 | 401 | 1 | 178 | 178 | 0 | 178 | 178 | 178 | 1217 | 1236 | 491 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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