Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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