Cape Schanck Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.50° S 144.89° E

Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Schanck sea temperature is
13.5° C
0.9° 

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


Cape Schanck surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 2,982 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cape Schanck this week:

The surf forecast for Cape Schanck over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Schanck in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 16s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Tue 18th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Best Surf 4PM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it for Cape Schanck over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there are a couple of windows that are going to be worth your time, especially if you’re not afraid of a bit of size.

The first few days are looking pretty average, to be honest. Tuesday the 18th has some clean conditions with a moderate offshore breeze, but the swell is small and weak, so not much to get excited about. That’s your window for a wave but it won't be a standout. After that, we’re looking at a few days of poor surf. The wind is all over the place and the energy just drops right out.

Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are a write-off. There’s some swell but the wind is too strong, and it’s all over the shop. We’re looking at a few days of this too. The surf quality just isn't there. Friday the 21st has a bit more push but the cross-shore wind is making it messy.

Now, pay attention to the weekend. Saturday the 22nd is not for the faint of heart. The swell jumps up to nearly 10ft, but it’s coming with a strong onshore wind, so it’s going to be a complete mess. That’s a definite pass. You’re better off watching that one from the car park.

Sunday the 23rd is where things get interesting. The wind drops right out, and we get that glassy conditions in the afternoon. The swell is a solid 7.2ft with a long 14-second period, and the energy is strong (1868). It’s a proper groundswell. This is one of the standouts. It’s going to be powerful and clean, and Cape Schanck (Mornington Peninsula) is a reef, so it should handle that size and period really well. That’s an experienced surfer’s wave, though, so leave the beginners at home.

Monday the 24th is a step down in size, back to around 5.2ft, but the winds are going offshore. It’s clean, but the quality is a bit more marginal. It’s surfable, for sure, but not on the same level as Sunday.

The following week is where it gets a bit patchier. There’s an early window on Tuesday the 25th afternoon with a small 3.9ft swell and clean conditions, but it’s just okay. Then we get hit with another stretch of strong winds and messy conditions from the 26th through to the 28th. Expect a lot of chop and blown-out surf. It’s pretty ugly.

The 29th is also windy and blown out. It’s not good.

Now, look towards the end of the month and into September. The 31st and the 1st look a bit cleaner, but the wind is a bit onshore, so it’s a bit lumpy. Not great, not terrible.

But, here’s the second standout. Wednesday the 2nd of September, we’ve got some real promise. The morning is showing a cross-offshore wind and a solid 5.6ft of SW swell with a 17-second period. The energy is there (1703). Then by the afternoon, the wind goes glassy again, with a 5.2ft swell from the same direction. This is another classic. It’s a bit further out, so call it a promising long-range call, but the signs are all good. Expect clean, powerful waves on the reef.

So, overall, if you can only get out once, make it Sunday the 23rd. That’s your best bet for size and quality. And if you’re planning ahead, keep an eye on that Wednesday the 2nd of September. The other days are either small, windy, or just a bit all over the place.

As for the water, it’s sitting at 56.3°F, which is about normal for this time of year.

I’ll see you out there.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the N by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Fri night, calm by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
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
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
2
4
3
1
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SW
14
1.3
SW
14
1
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
0.1
SE
7
0.1
SW
20
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
1.3
WSW
15
0.8
SW
18
0.4
SSW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
14
1.6
SW
14
1.9
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
597
621
465
251
2
15
157
222
216
0
379
87
2944
2982
2614
1657
1541
1622
978
872
1010
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
10
NE
20
NE
45
N
50
N
25
NW
25
NW
15
NW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
WNW
25
NW
10
WSW
15
W
25
NW
5
NNE
20
NNW
35
NNW
25
NNW
25
NW
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
3:25PM1.71m
4:06AM1.65m
3:58PM1.67m
4:46AM1.61m
4:30PM1.60m
5:26AM1.54m
5:01PM1.53m
6:06AM1.46m
5:31PM1.45m
6:51AM1.38m
6:04PM1.37m
7:47AM1.31m
6:44PM1.29m
Low Tide
9:47PM0.13m
10:01AM0.43m
10:23PM0.14m
10:37AM0.52m
10:58PM0.19m
11:12AM0.62m
11:33PM0.25m
11:48AM0.71m
00:11AM0.32m
12:26PM0.81m
00:53AM0.40m
1:16PM0.89m
1:46AM0.46m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:01
7:01
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
 mm
3
2
3
2
2
Temp °C
15
17
17
14
13
13
13
14
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
12
14
13
16
16
14
Feels °C
11
14
13
5
4
6
8
10
7
9
8
8
9
11
9
9
12
11
10
11
8
  • 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 Schanck Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cape Schanck provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cape Schanck can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cape Schanck 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 Schanck) 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 Schanck 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 Schanck is 34 km (21 miles) from Mornington. If you plan a holiday in Mornington Peninsula, look for hotels and other accommodation in Mornington. Mornington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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