Cape Schanck Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.50° S 144.89° E

Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Schanck sea temperature is
13.6° C
1.0° 

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, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,130 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. 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 1PM. 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 15s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s
Best Surf 4PM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at the coming surf for Cape Schanck.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead, but there are some real gems hiding in the forecast. The first decent surf kicks off on Tuesday afternoon, 18 August, with a clean 4ft southwest swell rolling in at 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light cross-off from the ENE at 6 mph, and the water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year. Combined wave energy is moderate at 672. This is a standout session for the experienced crew: the reef setup at Cape Schanck will handle that long-period SW swell beautifully, and the light breeze will keep it glassy. Expect very good surf conditions.

Then things get messy. From Wednesday morning, 19 August, through to Friday afternoon, 21 August, we’re looking at strong winds, tiny swell, or onshore junk. The wind is nasty from the north, hitting 28 mph, and swell drops to 0.3ft or 2ft – not worth paddling out. There’s a gap of about three days with no real surf on offer.

Saturday morning, 22 August, shows a big jump in size – 8ft SW swell at 16 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore from the WNW at 16 mph, and the combined energy is very strong at 3225. This is big, powerful, and lumpy. It’s only for experts, and the cross-shore wind will make it tricky. Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning are similar – 8ft to 7ft, but wind is onshore or cross-shore, so it’s marginal.

Now, Sunday afternoon, 23 August, is a beauty. The swell holds at 7ft from the southwest, 14-second period, and the wind swings to a light cross-off from the NNW at 6 mph. The wave energy is still strong at 1621. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and consistent. The reef will handle it well. This is your best bet for the first week.

The following week starts quiet again. Monday, 24 August, has 5ft to 5ft swell but wind is fresh or cross-shore, so it’s marginal. Tuesday, 25 August, is poor with southerly cross-on winds. Wednesday morning, 26 August, is a surprise: offshore wind from the NNE at 12 mph, with 4ft SW swell at 12 seconds, and 653 energy. That’s clean and rideable – expect good conditions for the experienced.

After that, from Thursday, 27 August, through to Friday, 28 August, we get strong winds and a big jump in size – 12ft SW swell at 16 seconds on the Friday morning, but it’s a onshore mess with 19 mph SSW winds. Not for surfing – that’s kite territory. Saturday, 29 August, sees 12ft to 10ft SW swell, but cross-shore winds keep it choppy and marginal.

Then the standout of the second week: Sunday morning, 30 August. The swell drops to 6ft from the southwest, 12-second period, with a light cross-off wind from the north at 9 mph. Combined energy is strong at 1565. This is excellent for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and the reef will line up nicely. This is the one to circle. Monday, 31 August, also looks promising with 3ft to 4ft SW swell, 17-18 second period, and light cross-off winds – very clean, very long lines. Tuesday, 1 September, continues the trend with 6ft SW swell, 14 seconds, and light NNE cross-off wind. Classic Cape Schanck conditions.

The rest of the outlook into early September shows smaller swell and manageable winds, but nothing that tops that Sunday 30 August session.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the N by Wed morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Mon morning).

Tue
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
1
4
2
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SW
14
1
SW
15
0.8
SW
14
0.1
SW
16
0.3
SW
20
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
1.2
SW
15
1.2
SW
14
2.1
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.4
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.1
SW
14
1.8
SW
16
1.6
SW
14
1.5
SW
14
1.6
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
621
465
251
10
61
157
222
216
693
606
2284
3090
2690
2544
1891
1564
1602
978
801
772
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
25
NNE
45
N
45
N
30
NNW
25
NW
25
NW
25
WNW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
15
WSW
20
WNW
25
WNW
10
NNW
25
NNW
30
NNW
15
WNW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
High Tide
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
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
Temp °C
17
17
13
13
14
13
14
12
12
13
12
12
13
13
12
14
13
16
17
13
Feels °C
14
13
4
4
7
8
9
6
6
7
6
8
9
9
8
11
9
11
13
10
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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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