Cape Schanck Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.50° S 144.89° E

Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Schanck sea temperature is
13.8°C
1.1° 

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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,345 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 17s. 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 16) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 11th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 11th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 15th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on our hands for Cape Schanck over the next couple of weeks. The start is a little average, but there are a couple of sessions that genuinely stand out if you can time it right. Most of the action is solid SW groundswell, and with that long period, the reef at Cape Schanck should handle it well – just be aware it’s an advanced spot, so not one for the grommets or beginners.

We kick off on Friday the 11th with some 7ft to 8ft SW groundswell, but the wind is a light cross-onshore which leaves it a bit bumpy. The combined energy is solid, between 2394 and 3159 (moderate to strong), but it’s not the cleanest. Nothing to get too excited about there.

Saturday the 12th is where things pick up. Morning sees a light cross-offshore breeze from the north at 6 mph, cleaning up that 7ft SW groundswell (period 16 seconds). The water’s sitting at 57° – about a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Afternoon gets even better: wind swings east at a glassy 3 mph, almost dead offshore. Swell drops slightly to 7ft, but still a long 15-second period. Energy is strong (2026). This is the standout of the early window. Clean, solid lines on the reef. Worth making the trip.

Sunday the 13th and beyond takes a turn. Strong northerly winds hit 25 mph on Sunday morning, making the 5ft swell messy despite being cross-off. The energy drops to 1134 (moderate). By Monday the 14th the swell fades to 3ft and the wind picks up again. It gets ugly mid-week – Tuesday the 15th has onshore gales up to 31 mph with 12ft SW swell from a cyclone-like energy reading of 5005, but it’s just a washing machine. Wednesday the 16th holds 10ft SW groundswell but cross-onshore wind from the SSE keeps it chopped. Thursday the 17th is a slight improvement with lighter winds, but still marginal.

We get a little respite on Friday the 18th: morning has 7ft SW groundswell (16 seconds) with a moderate north-northwest cross-offshore breeze. Clean, but energy is moderate (2131). Worth a look if you’re keen, but not as good as the previous Saturday.

Then a dry spell hits. From Saturday the 19th through Monday the 21st, the swell is small and wind is mostly rubbish. There’s almost nothing rideable – a gap of about three days with no real recommendations.

Now, here’s the real standout for the whole forecast run. Tuesday the 22nd of September. Morning shows 10ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period and glassy conditions – wind is from the NE at just 3 mph, dead calm. Energy is pumping at 5282 (very strong). Afternoon is even better: 12ft SW groundswell, still 16 seconds, still glassy, energy at 6028. This is proper, solid groundswell for experts only – over 8ft is big, and this is 10ft to 12ft, so it’s serious. The long period suits the reef perfectly. Crowds are often here, but with this size, only the experienced crew will be out. That is the best session on offer, but being more than a week away (22nd September), treat it as promising, not guaranteed.

Wednesday the 23rd still has 8ft to 8ft SW swell but the wind swings cross-onshore and onshore, so quality drops. After that, it’s a slow fade into the end of the period with onshore winds and messy conditions. The 26th has 13ft swell with howling onshore winds – that’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

So, bottom line: Saturday the 12th is your best bet this week. Tuesday the 22nd is the big one to watch for next week. The rest is mostly average or blown out.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the N by Sun morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Tue afternoon).

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
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
4
4
4
3
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
SW
15
2.3
SW
15
2.5
SW
16
2.2
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
15
1.6
SW
14
1.4
SW
15
1.3
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
SW
13
1.4
WSW
6
3
SW
10
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.4
SW
15
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2010
2437
3077
2295
1882
1500
1006
927
676
357
295
130
1624
5005
5020
3777
3137
2449
1618
1280
1787
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
10
S
5
ENE
10
N
5
E
20
N
40
N
30
N
25
N
25
NNW
40
SW
40
WSW
40
WSW
50
SW
45
SSW
25
SSE
20
SSW
20
SW
20
SW
10
SSW
10
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:27AM1.47m
11:36PM1.45m
12:18PM1.53m
00:41AM1.55m
1:02PM1.59m
1:33AM1.65m
1:41PM1.62m
2:18AM1.71m
2:17PM1.63m
2:59AM1.73m
2:52PM1.63m
3:37AM1.71m
3:24PM1.60m
Low Tide
5:35PM0.58m
5:56AM0.38m
6:30PM0.43m
6:52AM0.37m
7:16PM0.29m
7:40AM0.37m
7:57PM0.18m
8:22AM0.39m
8:35PM0.12m
9:00AM0.42m
9:10PM0.11m
9:35AM0.47m
9:45PM0.14m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:08
6:09
6:10
 mm
2
2
1
Temp °C
10
12
11
15
19
18
20
21
20
16
15
15
11
11
10
11
11
10
9
10
9
Feels °C
8
9
8
13
16
15
13
15
15
13
11
9
1
0
-1
5
5
4
4
8
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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