Surf Forecasts:
Cactus surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,832 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s 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 (Jul 29) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s. 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 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cactus over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Cactus over the next couple of weeks.
We start off messy. Wednesday the 29th has some SW swell at 8 feet, 16-second period, but the wind is from the south, making it cross and choppy. The wave energy is strong (2896), but it’s not clean.
Thursday the 30th morning is where it turns on. The swell drops to 5 feet, still SW, 13-second period, and the wind goes gentle offshore from the ENE. That’s glassy. The energy is moderate (784), but for a reef break, that long-period groundswell will hold up well. The water temp is 60°, which is average for the season.
Friday the 31st stays clean but smaller. Morning has 3 feet of SW swell, with a cross-off wind from the NNE. The afternoon picks up to 3 feet but with a 14-second period and a light breeze – very clean.
Saturday the 1st of August brings strong north wind at 35 mph. The swell is 4 feet with a very long 17-second period. That’s a groundswell, but the wind will chop it up.
Sunday the 2nd is a washout. SW wind, cross-on, poor waves.
Now, the standout. Monday the 3rd of August morning. The wind is near-calm from the ENE, absolutely offshore. The swell is 5 feet from the SW, 14-second period, and the energy is strong (1077). This is excellent for experienced surfers. The reef will handle that long-period swell well. Crowds are possible, but the quality will be worth it.
The rest of the first week is mixed. Tuesday the 4th is small and clean. Wednesday the 5th has a long 18-second period swell but strong wind. Thursday the 6th afternoon has a very long 21-second period swell at 5 feet, with clean cross-off wind – big energy (2228) for a late session.
From Friday the 7th onward, it gets rough. Strong winds, big messy swell. Saturday the 8th has 10 feet from the WSW with onshore wind – that’s a paddle out only for the brave. Sunday the 9th has 10 feet again, but the wind is cross-off from the north in the morning – that’s heavy, for experts only, and the period is short (10 seconds), so it’s a windswell.
The second week is ugly. From the 10th to the 13th of August, it’s mostly cross-on, onshore, or gale-force winds with big, messy swell. The 11th has a 19-second period with 6 feet of swell, but a cross-shore wind makes it lumpy. The 12th and 13th are poor with onshore winds.
Best bets: Thursday the 30th of July morning and Monday the 3rd of August morning. The 3rd is the pick – bigger, cleaner, more powerful. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sat morning, light winds from the ESE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2832 | 2027 | 1197 | 784 | 581 | 424 | 347 | 331 | 307 | 742 | 1107 | 1029 | 831 | 1140 | 1622 | 1077 | 852 | 633 | 383 | 284 | 380 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 12:39PM1.36m | 00:47AM0.84m | 1:00PM1.41m | 1:08AM0.91m | 1:22PM1.42m | 1:30AM0.97m | 1:44PM1.40m | 1:55AM1.02m | 2:06PM1.33m | 2:21AM1.04m | 2:27PM1.22m | 2:48AM1.04m | 2:45PM1.07m | 3:17AM1.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:16PM0.11m | 6:24AM0.06m | 7:33PM0.07m | 6:50AM0.01m | 7:50PM0.04m | 7:16AM-0.00m | 8:08PM0.03m | 7:44AM0.02m | 8:27PM0.04m | 8:13AM0.09m | 8:45PM0.08m | 8:43AM0.19m | 9:00PM0.13m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 2832 | 2027 | 1197 | 784 | 581 | 424 | 347 | 331 | 218 | 742 | 1107 | 1029 | 831 | — | 1622 | 1077 | 852 | 633 | 383 | 284 | 370 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 18 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SW 24 | SW 10 | SW 20 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 71 | 239 | 307 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 22 | 102 | 380 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 21 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | SW 22 | S 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 110 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 163 | 78 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | — | NE 3 | N 4 | NW 4 | N 4 | WNW 5 | SW 15 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | NE 3 | SW 22 | — |
| kJ | 64 | 55 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 36 | 1140 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | 118 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1052 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 564 | 564 | 564 | 940 | 1045 | 0 | 0 | 153 | 0 | 1 | 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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