Cape Schanck Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.50° S 144.89° E

Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Schanck sea temperature is
13.8°C
1.2° 

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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 17s period, SW swell with 2,927 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Schanck in the next 16 days are 2.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 14s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 27th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 31st Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 28th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watchin’ this spot like a hawk. Righto, let’s get into it.

Look, Cape Schanck is a reef break that’s advanced only, and it’s pretty consistent. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sittin’ at 57° with a plus 2° anomaly – nothin’ crazy, but it’s a nice little bonus.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the first decent window pops up on Thursday the 27th of August. Thursday morning’s got some clouds, a light cross-off breeze from the NW at 9 mph, and a clean 4ft swell from the SW with a nice long period of 12 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 440. That afternoon is even better – wind drops to 6 mph from the N, still cross-off, and the swell picks up to a 13-second period. It’s clean, it’s glassy, and it’s all for the advanced crew. Honestly, this is a standout. Nice and tidy.

Friday the 28th gets messy. Morning sees a cross-shore WNW wind at 12 mph, a 5ft SW swell, but it’s a cross-chop with a score that’s not worth paddlin’ into. Friday afternoon cranks up to 7ft SW swell, but the wind switches onshore from the SW at 9 mph – it’s just not clean.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are a write-off. Cross-onshore winds, choppy, 6ft to 6ft SW swell, but it’s all poor. That’s a couple of days you’d rather be workin’ on the wax collection.

Now, Monday the 31st of August – this is your call. Clear skies, light cross-off breeze from the NNW at 6 mph, and a solid 7ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1852. That’s a big, clean groundswell for experienced surfers only – over 8ft by the afternoon at 7ft, so it’s expert territory. The wind’s a dream, and the reef will hold it all together. Absolute standout.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a mess. The wind cranks up to 31 mph from the N, cross-off, but it’s a near gale. The swell’s there at 6ft SW, but you’ll be fightin’ the wind more than the wave. Forget it.

Wednesday the 2nd drops off completely – 2ft slop and strong winds. Then Thursday the 3rd has a morning window with a 8ft SW swell and a fresh cross-off breeze from the NW at 22 mph, but it’s marginal. The wind’s strong, so it’s not clean.

From Friday the 4th through to Tuesday the 8th of September, it’s all poor. Big swells, but the wind is howlin’ from the SW and WNW, onshore and cross-shore. The combined energy hits 5811 on the 5th, but it’s a blown-out mess. There’s a lot of heavy wind and rain here – honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Then, way out in the 16-day window, we get a couple of promising long-range signals. Wednesday the 9th of September has a massive 16ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-off from the ESE at 12 mph, and it’s clean. The combined energy is a massive 10133 – that’s strong to very strong. It’s marginal, but for expert chargers, that’s a serious look, though it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.

Thursday the 10th of September – this is the other standout. Clear skies, offshore wind from the NE at 9 mph, and a 8ft SW swell with an 11-second period. That’s gentle offshore and clean, with combined energy of 1436. Excellent for experienced surfers. Friday the 11th is a bit smaller at 5ft SW, but still clean with a cross-off breeze.

So, in a nutshell: your best bets are Thursday the 27th and Monday the 31st of August for the first week, and then Thursday the 10th of September for the second week. Everything else is blown out or too small. Keep your wetsuit zipped and your eyes peeled.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the NNW by Tue morning).

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
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
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
1
4
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
12
1.1
SW
13
0.8
SW
20
1.4
SW
18
2.1
SW
17
2
SW
16
1.8
SW
14
1.7
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.8
SW
13
1.8
SW
12
2.1
SW
13
2.1
SW
14
2
SW
15
2.1
SW
17
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
15
0.4
SSW
16
0.5
NW
4
0.3
SSW
14
2.2
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
344
392
517
1136
2595
1958
1307
1163
680
1103
1019
1460
1779
1684
2386
1494
1200
97
7
40
1462
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
10
N
25
NW
20
WNW
15
SW
20
WSW
15
WNW
20
SW
10
W
20
WNW
15
WSW
15
WNW
10
NNW
10
NNE
25
NNW
50
N
45
NNW
15
W
25
NW
40
WNW
35
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:26AM1.34m
10:40PM1.18m
12:14PM1.41m
11:52PM1.26m
12:51PM1.48m
00:48AM1.36m
1:24PM1.54m
1:34AM1.47m
1:54PM1.58m
2:16AM1.58m
2:24PM1.62m
2:56AM1.66m
2:54PM1.64m
3:36AM1.71m
Low Tide
5:29PM0.87m
5:17AM0.49m
6:22PM0.75m
6:13AM0.45m
7:01PM0.62m
7:00AM0.41m
7:34PM0.48m
7:41AM0.39m
8:07PM0.35m
8:20AM0.38m
8:39PM0.23m
8:57AM0.40m
9:12PM0.13m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<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>
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:57
5:58
 mm
2
Temp °C
10
13
12
12
12
11
10
11
11
11
11
11
13
17
15
18
19
14
13
14
13
Feels °C
7
10
10
9
9
6
6
7
6
8
9
8
10
15
11
8
10
8
9
6
5
  • 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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