Cactus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and let’s dig into what’s on the cards for Cactus. This is a reef break that really lights up with a good southwest swell, and right now, there’s a wild ride ahead in the forecast, but you’re gonna have to be patient.

We’ve got a couple of weeks of potential, but the first few days are a write-off. The wind is just a mess – strong onshore and cross-onshore winds, and the surf is lumpy and poor. Forget about Monday the 24th through to the morning of Saturday the 29th; it’s all poor surf conditions with strong breezes. The combined swell energy is actually moderate to strong during this period – hitting 445 to 2413 – but the wind is just ruining it. You’d be better off watching from the beach.

The real story starts to shift on Saturday the 29th afternoon. The wind swings to a cross-off, and the surf cleans up. We’re looking at a 6ft southwest swell with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is still moderate (795), but that clean face is a good sign. Sunday the 30th is a bit of a mixed bag with fresher cross-shore winds, so it’s not the one.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. On Monday the 31st of August, the morning session is a standout. We’ve got a 6ft southwest swell rolling in, period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy is strong (1503). The wind is a moderate cross-off, keeping the waves clean. That’s a solid, long-period groundswell, and for a reef like Cactus, that means proper, well-shaped lines. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

But the absolute pick of the whole forecast, the one you’ve really got to circle, is Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning starts with a clean 4ft southwest swell, period of 16 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate (719), but the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” The afternoon gets even better: a 4ft swell, 15-second period, and the wind drops to a slight air. Glassy, clean, and the score is high. That’s a proper session. Crowds are possible at Cactus, but on a Tuesday with that forecast, you might get it to yourself.

There’s a bit of a lull after that, with poor conditions through Wednesday and Thursday (2nd and 3rd of September). But then, look at Friday the 4th of September morning. It’s glassy. A 3ft southwest swell, period of 13 seconds, and the wind is dead calm. That’s a magic window – clean and smooth.

If you’re looking for something with a bit more push, Saturday the 5th of September afternoon is a treat. The swell builds to 6ft from the southwest, period of 17 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1848. The wind is a light cross-off, and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s big, clean, and powerful. For anyone who knows what they’re doing, that’s the call.

The final week starts to get a bit messy again. Sunday the 6th sees onshore winds and a 7ft swell, which is more for the hardy. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th have a huge 8ft swell with a massive 5065 energy reading, but the wind is cross-shore and lumpy. That’s expert territory, and even then, it’s a battle.

So, to sum it up: the opening week is a bust. The real sweet spot is Tuesday the 1st of September for the cleanest, most fun waves, and Saturday the 5th of September afternoon for the bigger, more powerful stuff. Don’t sleep on the glassy Friday morning, either. Wind is the key here, and when it goes light, Cactus is a gem.

Rusty.

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