Surf Forecasts:
Cape Paterson surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 6,034 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 17s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cape Paterson in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Paterson over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here again. Let’s talk surf in feet and miles per hour for the same stretch.
We’re looking at a stretch that’s going to test your patience. From Saturday the 29th all the way through to the end of the first week, it’s mostly cross-on winds and messy, blown-out surf. There’s a lot of energy in the ocean, but it’s just not coming together. That’s a solid week of not much to write home about.
The real gem, the one you’ve got to circle on your calendar, is Monday the 7th of September. The morning is looking like the best session of the whole forecast. We’re talking a massive 16ft swell from the WSW, with a very long 15-second period and a colossal combined energy of 11525. That’s serious, powerful groundswell. The wind is a clean cross-off from the North at 19 mph, which is just about perfect. This is a wave for experts only. 16ft is no joke, and it’s a beach-and-reef setup. The water is sitting at 57°F, which is about 2°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so it’s a little more comfortable.
The next best shout is Thursday the 10th of September. The afternoon has a big 12ft swell from the WSW, again with a very long 16-second period and a massive 12414 combined energy. The wind is a light cross-on from the WNW at 9 mph, so it’ll be a bit choppy, but that’s a lot of power for a strong surfer. It’s still an expert-level day.
For something a bit more manageable, check out Sunday the 6th of September afternoon. The swell is 13ft from the WSW, but the period is a shorter 10 seconds. The wind is light and cross-shore, so it won’t be glassy, but it’s a better bet than the blown-out mess we’ll see most days. The crowds at Cape Paterson are "sometimes," so you might get a few waves to yourself if you’re lucky.
The rest of the days are a lot of wind and chop. Keep an eye out for those clean wind mornings, like the 1st of September morning or the 6th of September morning, but the conditions are still a bit rough. It’s a spot that needs the wind to cooperate, and it just isn’t doing it enough.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Tue morning, light winds from the WNW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 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) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1447 | 934 | 700 | 1129 | 1003 | 1261 | 1459 | 1307 | 2091 | 1267 | 816 | 533 | 1772 | 2020 | 3030 | 3566 | 2925 | 2539 | 2479 | 2037 | 1377 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:45PM0.69m | 00:47AM0.64m | 1:23PM0.71m | 1:38AM0.69m | 1:58PM0.74m | 2:23AM0.73m | 2:32PM0.76m | 3:06AM0.76m | 3:06PM0.77m | 3:49AM0.79m | 3:41PM0.78m | 4:32AM0.80m | 4:18PM0.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:55PM0.28m | 6:59AM0.19m | 7:36PM0.22m | 7:45AM0.18m | 8:13PM0.16m | 8:27AM0.18m | 8:49PM0.10m | 9:07AM0.18m | 9:26PM0.06m | 9:47AM0.19m | 10:04PM0.03m | 10:27AM0.21m | 10:45PM0.02m | ||||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | — | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
1447 | 934 | 700 | 1129 | 1003 | 1261 | 1459 | 1307 | 2091 | 1267 | 816 | 407 | 494 | 1626 | 2324 | 1212 | — | 2539 | 2479 | 2037 | 1377 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 24 | WSW 22 | SW 20 | SW 20 | WSW 18 | SW 22 | SW 19 | — | — | WSW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 11 | 45 | 99 | 98 | 31 | 18 | 384 | — | — | 38 | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 6 | — | WSW 12 | SSW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | NW 4 | NW 5 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 6 |
38 | 47 | 112 | — | 816 | 25 | 50 | — | — | 33 | 47 | 533 | 1772 | 2020 | 3030 | 3566 | 2925 | — | 18 | 28 | 224 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 126 | 54 | 41 | 346 | 52 | 23 | 5 | 5 | 119 | 148 | 52 | 54 | 45 | 23 | 113 | 35 | 5 | 105 | 289 | 429 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Victoria | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











