Cape Paterson Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.68° S 145.60° E

Issued: 3 am 05 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Paterson sea temperature is
14.5° C

1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year

Cape Paterson surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cape Paterson surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 5 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 4,043 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Paterson this week:

The surf forecast for Cape Paterson over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Paterson in the next 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 05) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 6th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Best Surf 1PM (Wed 8th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 18s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 5th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Paterson over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Righto, grab a coffee, I’ve had a look at what’s coming up for Cape Paterson. There’s a bit of a story here, so listen up.

We’ve got a juicy run of groundswell kicking off early in the week, with some serious energy in the water. The standout period is definitely Sunday the 5th into Monday the 6th, but you’ll need to pick your windows carefully because the wind is going to play games. The water’s sitting at 58°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so not too bad.

Starting Sunday the 5th, the morning is your first call. We’ve got a solid 8ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, and the combined energy is a strong 3770. The wind is a cross-off from the east at 12 mph, keeping it clean. It’s an advanced-only wave, though – that size and period will be pitching hard. The afternoon holds a still solid 7ft, but the wind swings a bit stronger. Keep this in mind if you’re not an expert, as it’s too big for beginners.

Monday the 6th is where it gets real nice. The swell drops to a more manageable 4ft, still a long-period 14-second SW groundswell, and the energy is moderate at 746. But the real star is the morning: a clean NE offshore breeze at 9 mph. The afternoon is almost glassy with a 4ft SW swell and a 3 mph SSW wind, leaving the surface pristine. Crowds can be around sometimes here, but on a Monday you might get lucky.

Tuesday the 7th morning is another glassy beauty. A 4ft SW swell with a 17-second period, NNW wind at 3 mph, and clean as a whistle. The energy is moderate at 851. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a light cross-shore breeze, so aim for the early.

Wednesday the 8th morning brings a bigger pulse of 5ft SW groundswell, 19-second period, and a cross-off east breeze. The combined energy jumps up to 1938 – that’s moderate but punchy. The afternoon sees 7ft, but the wind gets stronger, making it less appealing.

Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th both offer good, clean conditions in the mornings and glassy afternoons, with swell around the 4-5ft range. Friday afternoon is a real highlight: a 5ft WSW groundswell, 16-second period, and that glassy NW wind. The energy is 1112, and it’s looking very clean.

Saturday the 11th is still surfable with 4-4ft waves, but the energy is dropping off.

From Sunday the 12th onward, it’s a write-off. We’ve got a big gap with no real surf on offer. The wind goes howling from the north, then swings to a strong onshore south-westerly from the 14th, kicking up 25-31 mph gusts that ruin everything. Through the 15th and 16th, it’s onshore and lumpy, with small swell and poor conditions. Tuesday the 14th, with 7ft swell and 31 mph onshore wind, looks more like a kite session than a paddle. Things don’t improve until the 20th, and even then it’s only a marginal 3ft with a clean cross-off breeze.

So, the best on offer is Monday the 6th morning – that 4ft SW groundswell with offshore wind will be clean and fun, and that’s your go-to. Friday the 10th afternoon is the other standout, with glassy conditions and a nice 5ft swell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Sun night, calm by Tue morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
17
2.2
SW
17
1.8
SW
16
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.2
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
19
2
SW
18
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.2
SW
15
0.9
SW
18
1.6
SW
16
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3770
2630
1513
746
513
304
851
813
784
1385
2402
1350
871
623
476
1239
1112
840
553
480
421
Wind (km/h)
20
E
30
ESE
25
E
15
NE
5
SSW
10
NNE
5
NNW
10
SSE
15
E
15
E
20
E
10
NE
10
NNW
0
N
10
NNE
10
N
5
NW
15
NNE
10
NNE
15
N
20
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:36PM0.77m
3:36AM0.65m
4:07PM0.77m
4:20AM0.66m
4:39PM0.76m
5:05AM0.68m
5:11PM0.75m
5:53AM0.69m
5:47PM0.74m
6:46AM0.71m
6:27PM0.73m
7:45AM0.72m
7:15PM0.72m
Low Tide
9:51PM0.23m
9:40AM0.16m
10:25PM0.20m
10:19AM0.18m
11:00PM0.17m
11:00AM0.21m
11:37PM0.13m
11:44AM0.24m
00:19AM0.10m
12:34PM0.28m
1:06AM0.07m
1:30PM0.31m
2:00AM0.05m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:33
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:10
 mm
Temp °C
11
11
10
12
13
12
12
12
12
12
12
11
9
10
10
11
12
11
13
12
12
Feels °C
5
4
5
10
11
10
11
9
8
9
8
8
7
9
7
8
10
7
10
9
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
17
2.2
SW
17
1.8
SW
16
1.3
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.2
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1.4
SW
19
2
SW
18
1.6
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.2
SW
15
1.1
SW
14
1.6
SW
16
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
13
Energy kJ
3770
2630
1513
746
513
304
851
813
784
1385
2402
1350
871
623
476
1239
1112
840
553
480
421
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
ESE
5
0.4
SE
5
0.2
ESE
4
0.3
ESE
8
0.2
ESE
8
0.1
SE
12
1.2
WSW
14
0.3
ESE
12
0.1
SE
11
0.1
SE
10
0.9
SW
18
0.2
ESE
8
0.4
NW
4
0.2
ESE
7
Energy kJ
21
6
1
12
6
5
553
30
5
4
460
7
5
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SW
20
0.1
E
11
0.1
SE
12
0.1
SE
12
0.2
ESE
11
0.1
SW
22
0.2
ESE
10
0.2
ESE
8
Energy kJ
60
3
5
5
12
19
9
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SE
4
0.9
ESE
5
0.6
E
5
0.2
NNE
3
0.5
N
3
0.4
NNW
4
0.6
NW
4
1
N
4
Energy kJ
19
37
18
1
6
5
11
41
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
5
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
3
3
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
45
66
66
5
5
5
5
44
20
20
20
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Victoria
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
4
4
3
3
2
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
9
7
4
3
8
7
4
5
7
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
2
4
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
9
7
5
5
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
6
6
5
5
4
6
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Cape Paterson Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cape Paterson provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cape Paterson can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cape Paterson 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 (Cape Paterson) 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 Cape Paterson 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.

Cape Paterson is 70 km (43 miles) from Cranbourne. If you plan a holiday in East Coast of Victoria, look for hotels and other accommodation in Cranbourne. Cranbourne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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