Cape Paterson Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.68° S 145.60° E

Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Paterson sea temperature is
13.7° C
1.0° 

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 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 20s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, SW swell with 9,584 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period with WSW 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Paterson in the next 16 days are 3.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Fri 7th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 10th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 20s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 12th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, it's Rusty here. Let's be honest, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty average for the Cape Paterson area. We've got a real mix of solid swell and shocking wind, so you'll have to be patient and pick your moments. The water is sitting at 57°F right now, which is about 2°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so that's a small win.

The first real chance to get a wave is on Sunday the 9th of August. It's not big, with a 4ft swell from the WSW, but the wind is offshore from the NE at 16 mph, which will clean things right up. The energy is moderate (622), and the period is a solid 14 seconds, so you'll get some decent shape. Saturday the 8th is also worth a look, with a 5ft SW swell and a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-off from the N at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (1155), and it'll be clean. The best of the bunch is a true standout on Sunday the 16th of August. The morning is glassy, with a 5ft swell from the SW and a 14-second period. The energy is moderate (1084), and the conditions are perfect. It's a sheltered beach and reef setup, so it handles the SW swell direction well. Crowds are sometimes an issue, but on a glassy Sunday morning, you can expect a few locals out. The swell is over 5ft, so it might be a bit much for beginners, but it's manageable for the rest of us.

After that, the 19th of August has a couple of windows. Wednesday morning has a 4ft WSW swell with a 15-second period and a light cross-off breeze from the N, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (683). Wednesday afternoon is even better, with glassy conditions and the same 4ft WSW swell. The energy is similar (720). These are your smaller, cleaner options.

The rest of the period is a write-off. Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th have big swell (13ft and 7ft), but the wind is howling onshore or cross-onshore, making it a total mess. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. The 12th and 13th are similar, with huge swell and strong, messy cross-shore winds. The second week from the 20th onwards has some clean conditions but the wind picks up strong from the NNW, making it marginal.

So, the standout is Sunday the 16th of August for the glassy conditions and solid 5ft SW swell. The 19th of August is your backup for smaller, clean waves. For the rest, you're better off waiting for the next forecast.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue night, min 10°C on Sun night). Mainly near gales.

Thu
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
3
2
2
1
2
2
4
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
16
1
SW
18
1.5
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
15
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
20
4
WSW
9
4
WSW
9
3
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
2
WSW
17
3
SW
16
4
SW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
198
621
1056
1190
818
1155
993
796
501
362
5368
2409
2808
4032
1676
1005
520
2378
3978
1995
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
30
WSW
15
WNW
10
WSW
10
NNE
15
N
20
N
20
NNE
25
NE
20
NE
5
E
45
SW
45
WSW
30
NW
35
NNW
35
NNW
45
NNW
35
WNW
45
W
50
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
4:43PM0.77m
5:35AM0.75m
5:19PM0.76m
6:25AM0.74m
6:01PM0.75m
7:21AM0.73m
6:49PM0.73m
8:23AM0.72m
7:46PM0.71m
9:32AM0.71m
8:55PM0.69m
10:42AM0.72m
10:13PM0.68m
Low Tide
11:10PM0.07m
11:26AM0.24m
11:52PM0.05m
12:12PM0.28m
00:40AM0.04m
1:04PM0.31m
1:35AM0.04m
2:05PM0.34m
2:38AM0.06m
3:16PM0.35m
3:47AM0.07m
4:34PM0.34m
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
 mm
1
2
2
7
17
1
2
1
4
7
7
Temp °C
13
12
11
11
12
16
17
13
12
11
11
12
11
12
12
12
14
11
10
11
Feels °C
8
5
7
8
9
11
13
8
7
7
10
2
1
5
4
5
5
3
-1
2
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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