Cape Schanck Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.50° S 144.89° E

Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Schanck sea temperature is
14.0° C
0.8° 

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 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,323 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cape Schanck in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 12s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 18th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Best Surf10PM (Sat 25th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Most Powerful 7AM (Thu 23rd Jul)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Cape Schanck.

The window kicks off with a solid little window on Saturday afternoon, July 18th. That’s your best bet in the whole 16-day outlook, no question. We’ve got a 5ft swell rolling in from the SW, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, with good energy and shape. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about 1° warmer than normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there. But the real story is the wind: glassy, dead calm. That’s rare and it’s going to make the reef at Cape Schanck look absolutely pristine. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 880, so there’s enough push to get you into some nice ones. This is an advanced spot, consistent, and it can get crowded, so keep an eye out for company. The 5ft height is solid but not too big for experienced surfers.

After that, Sunday morning the 19th drops right off to a tiny 0.3ft – not worth paddling out for. Sunday afternoon picks up a little to 3ft with a 12-second period, and the wind is cross-off from the north, so it’s clean, but the size is pretty average. You might get a few fun ones if you’re desperate.

Monday the 20th has a bit of swell around 3ft on the morning, but the wind is a moderate breeze from the NNW, so it’s not going to be pretty. The energy jumps to 504, but the conditions are poor. By Tuesday the 21st, it’s almost flat again with 1.0ft and weak energy (36). Not worth it.

Wednesday the 22nd gets messy. Morning sees 4ft SW swell but a fresh cross-shore from the NW at 35 km/h, making for lumpy, choppy conditions. By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 10ft but with a short period of 8 seconds and a fresh cross-onshore wind – that’s a washing machine, only for the brave or the kites. The energy is strong at 1112, but the quality is poor.

Thursday the 23rd is a write-off. We’ve got 12ft and 10ft swells, but wind is onshore and strong – near gale on the morning, fresh breeze on the afternoon. Massive energy (4262 and 3567) but it’s blown out. Not for paddle surfing.

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th both have 7ft to 8ft SW swells with 13-14 second periods, so a lot of energy (1537 to 2399), but the wind is cross or cross-onshore, keeping the surf marginal. The size is getting into the “experts only” range over 8ft on the 24th, but it’s not clean.

Sunday the 26th drops to 5ft with a 12-second period and moderate cross-off wind – clean but not exciting. Energy is moderate at 551.

Monday the 27th through Tuesday the 28th sees strong to near gale winds, with swell up to 10ft and energy through the roof (4209). All blown out, not for surfing.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th: the 30th morning is a standout. The swell drops to 6ft from the SW with a 13-second period, light breeze from the NNW giving cross-off wind, and the energy is moderate at 983. The conditions are “very good” – clean, glassy. That’s your second best option, but it’s over a week away (July 30th).

Friday the 31st onward fades. Swell drops to 4ft and 3ft with strong winds, not worth it.

Then on Sunday morning, August 2nd, we get a nice little pulse: 4ft SW swell with a 16-second period – that’s very long period groundswell, so it’ll be clean and powerful, especially at this reef. Wind is light offshore from the NNE, so it’ll be glassy. Energy is moderate at 795. That’s a promising long-range option, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

Overall, the standout is Saturday afternoon, July 18th – glassy, 5ft, clean. The backup is Thursday morning, July 30th, and the long-range call is Sunday morning, August 2nd. For the rest, it’s mostly wind-affected or too small.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Thu morning).

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
0.1
SW
20
0.9
SW
12
0.6
SW
18
1
SW
16
1
WSW
15
0.2
SSW
15
0.3
SSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.2
SW
12
3
SW
8
3
SW
12
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
880
494
16
236
197
502
0
21
36
0
464
421
1112
2924
4262
3567
2944
2216
2065
2158
Wind (km/h)
0
E
15
N
15
N
10
N
15
NNW
25
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
N
35
N
35
NW
35
W
35
WSW
50
SW
35
SW
35
W
35
WNW
25
W
25
WNW
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:45AM1.60m
3:18PM1.79m
3:39AM1.61m
3:56PM1.76m
4:30AM1.59m
4:32PM1.70m
5:18AM1.54m
5:07PM1.62m
6:04AM1.48m
5:40PM1.53m
6:52AM1.43m
6:13PM1.44m
Low Tide
8:49PM0.35m
8:55AM0.18m
9:35PM0.26m
9:41AM0.28m
10:18PM0.20m
10:25AM0.40m
10:59PM0.19m
11:07AM0.52m
11:39PM0.22m
11:47AM0.64m
00:17AM0.26m
12:29PM0.74m
00:58AM0.32m
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
 mm
1
2
4
3
3
Temp °C
12
12
12
15
14
12
15
13
12
14
12
12
13
10
11
11
11
10
12
11
Feels °C
11
10
8
12
10
6
11
8
7
9
6
5
5
1
1
2
3
4
6
7
  • 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 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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