Cape Paterson Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.68° S 145.60° E

Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Paterson sea temperature is
13.5°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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 19s period, SW swell with 3,298 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m 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 2.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.1m) 17s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 31st Aug)7ft (2.1m) 17s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 30th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Righto, let's have a look at what's cookin' for Cape Paterson.

We've got a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there's a couple of real gems hiding in there if you're patient. The water temp is sittin' at about 56°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so the wetsuit might not be quite as brutal as usual.

Kickin' things off on Tuesday the 25th of August, we get a half-decent window. Tuesday mornin' we've got a 5 ft south-west groundswell with a 13-second period and glassy conditions with a light easterly breeze. The water's gonna be clean as a whistle. The combined swell energy is a solid 803 (moderate wave energy). It's only a brief moment of glory though, as the wind turns onshore by the arvo and junkes it up.

Wednesday the 26th through to the 29th is a write-off. Strong onshores and cross-offshores, chop, and generally poor-quality surf. Gotta sit that one out.

Now, Sunday the 30th of August isn't great in the morning, but the afternoon shows a promising 7 ft south-west swell with a very long 18-second period. The combined energy jumps right up to 3056 (strong wave energy). Problem is, it's got a light cross-onshore breeze, so it'll be a bit lumpy, but for experienced blokes on the reef at Cape Paterson, that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. Not a standout, but a glimpse of what's to come.

The real standout is Monday the 31st of August in the morning. Cape Paterson is a goer. We've got a clean 7 ft south-west swell with a 16-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the north-northwest, which for this spot is the business. The water will be glassy, and the combined swell energy is a solid 2103 (strong wave energy). It says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers" and I'm not gonna argue. Get on it early. Crowds are possible here so get in the water before the rush.

After that, we drift into a real patchy week. The wind is all over the shop – strong cross-shore trades and onshores – making most days a battle. There's some size, like a 8 ft south-west swell on the 4th of September, but the wind is messy.

The second week's best bet is shaping up for Saturday the 5th of September in the morning. It's over a week away, so take it with a grain of salt, but the models are showing a clean 8 ft south-west swell with a cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is a healthy 1984 (strong wave energy). It's a big swell though – over 8 ft that morning – so this one is only for the experienced crew. Beginners should sit this out.

Sunday the 6th of September morning also looks okay with a 10 ft south-west swell, but it's a cross-shore wind, so you're competing with a bit of chop.

There aren't many consistent days here, but that Monday the 31st and the potential of Saturday the 5th are the real standout calls.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue night, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
2
0
0
0
1
2
3
4
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)
1.4
SW
13
1.5
SW
13
1.6
SW
14
1.6
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
12
1
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
13
2.1
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
17
2
WSW
16
1.6
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.3
SW
17
2.2
SW
18
2.1
SW
17
2
SW
16
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
680
734
1031
1028
837
711
341
280
484
1383
3119
2007
1072
874
734
918
3056
2592
2103
1552
1062
Wind (km/h)
5
E
10
W
25
SW
25
SW
20
SW
10
WSW
15
NW
10
WNW
25
NW
20
SW
15
WSW
15
W
20
W
25
W
15
SW
10
W
10
WSW
10
NW
10
NNW
10
WNW
30
NW
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross
cross-on
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
8:08PM0.60m
10:03AM0.62m
9:17PM0.58m
11:07AM0.63m
10:35PM0.58m
12:01PM0.66m
11:47PM0.60m
12:45PM0.69m
00:47AM0.64m
1:23PM0.71m
1:38AM0.69m
1:58PM0.74m
2:23AM0.73m
Low Tide
2:35PM0.40m
3:01AM0.21m
3:50PM0.40m
4:07AM0.22m
5:06PM0.38m
5:11AM0.21m
6:07PM0.33m
6:09AM0.20m
6:55PM0.28m
6:59AM0.19m
7:36PM0.22m
7:45AM0.18m
8:13PM0.16m
light rain
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:45
6:43
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
 mm
2
2
1
Temp °C
12
12
13
12
12
11
10
12
12
12
11
10
10
11
11
12
12
11
13
17
15
Feels °C
11
10
10
7
7
8
6
9
9
8
8
7
5
7
8
10
10
10
11
14
10
  • 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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