Cactus Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. The next sixteen days at Cactus are a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some solid swell windows, but the wind is going to be the main player—getting in the way as often as it lines up. Don’t get too excited about the big numbers later on unless you’re a seasoned charger, because the size comes with some messy conditions. Let’s break it down.

The real highlight, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Monday morning, August 3rd. We’re looking at a clean 6 ft SW groundswell with a very long 14-second period. The wind is glassy from the SSE at just 3 mph, so the surface will be smooth as a lake. The wave energy is strong (1273), and for a reef break like Cactus, that long-period swell will line up nicely. It’s solid enough for intermediates and up, but at that size, it’s not one for the beginners. Crowds? They’re *sometimes* around, so it might pay to be early. The water temp is 60°, which is within a normal range for this time of year, nothing wild.

The rest of that first week is a slow fade. Monday afternoon goes cross-shore and drops to a weaker 5 ft. Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, sees the swell drop to 3 ft, but the wind goes glassy again from the E at 3 mph. It’s tiny, clean fun—good for a longboard if the tide’s right. Thursday morning, August 6th offers a clean 4 ft from the SW with a long 16-second period and gentle cross-offshore breeze, but the energy is moderate (578) and the waves will be small. Friday morning, August 7th pumps back up to 5 ft SW, 16 seconds, but it’s blown out by a fresh 19 mph N cross-offshore. Clean faces, but the wind is strong.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Saturday, August 8th, through to around Wednesday, August 13th, the combo of building swell and onshore to cross-onshore winds makes for messy, lumpy conditions. Saturday afternoon sees 7 ft with a fresh cross-onshore and rain—kite-surfing territory, not paddle. Sunday and Monday of the second week (Aug 9-10) see waves hitting 10 ft to 12 ft with strong winds, and the energy numbers are huge (up to 10330), but it’s poor quality. Not recommended unless you’re after a beating.

Things start to turn around again on Thursday morning, August 14th. We’ve got a big 8 ft SW swell, but importantly, the period is a very long 19 seconds and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the ESE at 12 mph. Energy is massive (4248). This is a serious groundswell—best for the reef at Cactus, as it might be too straight for a beach break. It’s a standout for experienced surfers only. Crowds could be a factor.

Sunday morning, August 16th is another cracker for the experts: 7 ft SW, 16-second period, and clean cross-offshore wind from the E at 9 mph. Energy is strong (2133). Monday morning, August 17th brings a clean 6 ft SW swell with true offshore wind from the E at 9 mph—smooth, powerful, and good for the intermediate crew.

The final few days (Aug 18) look like they’re building back up to 10 ft but with a cross-shore or onshore wind, so the quality will be compromised.

So, bottom line: Monday morning, August 3rd and Thursday morning, August 14th are your standout sessions. The first one is clean and rideable for intermediates, the second is big and powerful for the pros. Don’t bother with the middle of the second week unless you’re kiting. There are a fair few consistent days of surf, just keep an eye on the wind.

Rusty

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