Cape Paterson Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.68° S 145.60° E

Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 13 Sep 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 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,368 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 13th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 13th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 15th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the Cape Paterson region for the next couple of weeks. It's a bumpy road ahead, with a lot of nothing-good before we get a couple of solid windows.

The first week is pretty much a washout. From Sunday the 13th all the way to Sunday the 20th, the conditions are just rubbish for a surf. Strong winds, choppy cross-onshore junk, and poor surf quality. There's some size, but it's all blown to bits. The water's around 57°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Things turn around on Monday the 21st. That's your first real highlight. Cape Paterson (Cape Paterson) is looking at a solid 8ft swell from the WSW. The wind is light and offshore from the east, so it'll be glassy clean. The swell period is a nice 13 seconds, giving it some proper groundswell punch (combined energy of 2288). This is excellent for experienced surfers – big enough to be fun, but not out of control. Just remember, it can get busy here sometimes, so get out early.

Tuesday the 22nd sees a massive jump in energy, with an 12ft SW swell and an 18-second period – that's very long period groundswell. The combined energy is a monster 8144. But the wind is a fresh cross-shore, so it'll be lumpy. This is strictly for experts, and that long period might make it close out at the beach breaks, but a point or reef would handle it better.

We get another clean window on Wednesday the 23rd. A 7ft WSW swell with a 15-second period and a light offshore ESE breeze. Combined energy is 2149. That's going to be clean, powerful, and a good one for the experienced crew.

Into the final weekend, Saturday the 26th has a big 12ft S swell but with a short 8-second period, so it'll be a bit fat and crumbly. The wind is offshore, so it'll be clean, but that combo can be tricky. Sunday the 27th has an 12ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-on, so it's not ideal.

So, mark your calendars for Monday the 21st and Wednesday the 23rd of September. Those are your best shots for clean, powerful waves at Cape Paterson. The rest is a bit of a struggle. Keep your eyes on the charts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sun night, strong winds from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu night, fresh winds from the NW by Fri night).

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.4
SW
14
1.3
WSW
15
1.1
SW
15
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
13
1.3
W
6
2.5
WSW
8
3.5
WSW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.8
SW
18
1.9
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
763
780
489
318
225
126
956
3611
5204
3883
3491
2830
1752
1311
711
1901
1737
1340
1110
1030
787
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
20
NW
15
N
20
NW
25
WSW
30
W
30
WSW
40
SW
35
SSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
20
SW
20
W
15
WNW
30
NW
30
WNW
40
NW
35
NW
25
NW
35
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:03PM0.74m
1:37AM0.75m
1:46PM0.75m
2:25AM0.78m
2:25PM0.76m
3:08AM0.79m
3:02PM0.76m
3:48AM0.79m
3:38PM0.75m
4:26AM0.77m
4:12PM0.73m
5:03AM0.74m
4:45PM0.71m
Low Tide
7:20PM0.13m
7:43AM0.18m
8:04PM0.09m
8:28AM0.18m
8:44PM0.06m
9:08AM0.19m
9:23PM0.06m
9:46AM0.21m
9:59PM0.06m
10:22AM0.23m
10:35PM0.08m
10:57AM0.26m
11:11PM0.11m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
 mm
1
2
2
2
Temp °C
22
23
20
14
14
15
11
11
10
11
11
11
10
10
10
16
19
16
20
23
19
Feels °C
17
19
17
11
10
10
3
1
0
4
4
5
5
5
6
10
13
9
13
17
12
  • 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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