Surf Forecasts:
Cape Schanck surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 3,178 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 20s. 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 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 14s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Schanck over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s look at what Cape Schanck is serving up over the next couple weeks. It’s a slow burner for sure, and even when the swell shows, the wind’s usually messing it up. Cape Schanck is a reef break, so clean conditions are key, and for the first week plus, that’s just not happening.
The first real window is Monday the 31st of August, in the afternoon. Swell sits around 7ft out of the southwest, wrapping in fairly exposed, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm. That’s a rare score. The combined wave energy is strong (2017), so there’s plenty of push. The period is 14 seconds, a proper groundswell, meaning good shape and long lines. This one’s for experienced surfers given the size and the reef. Water temp is 57°, about 2° above average for this time of year – not crazy, just a touch warm. You’ll want a thick wetsuit and some patience, but Monday arvo could be clean and solid.
After that, Tuesday the 1st of September has clean conditions in the morning thanks to a strong cross-offshore breeze from the north at 28 mph. But that wind is brutal – it’s a strong breeze, and while offshore, it’s gonna make paddling out a real mission. Swell is 6ft SW with a 16-second period, a very long groundswell. That long period can make waves break straight at beach breaks, but at a reef like Cape Schanck it can be excellent. Still, the score is low because of the wind strength, so it’s more of a chore than a fun session.
The real standout, the one to mark on your calendar if this forecast holds, is Saturday the 12th of September. By Saturday afternoon, we’ve got a clean, cross-off breeze from the north-northwest at just 9 mph – gentle and perfect. Swell is 5ft from the southwest with a long 16-second period, a beautiful groundswell. Combined wave energy is moderate (1418), so it’s not a monster but it’s got enough grunt for good waves. The conditions are reported as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the whole outlook – clean, lined-up, and manageable size for an advanced crew. Crowds are likely at this spot, so get there early.
The week before that, from Friday the 4th through the 10th, it’s mostly onshore winds and poor surf conditions. A few windows like Thursday the 3rd afternoon have clean wind but the swell is 8ft and the wind is strong – over 25 mph – so it’s more of a kite session than a paddle session. Big swell, poor quality, strong wind, and a reef setup that just gets messy. Not for the surfboard.
For the second week, the 11th and 12th of September look the most promising. Friday the 11th has 8ft to 8ft SW swell with a very long period of 16-17 seconds, but the wind is cross or cross-onshore, so it’s choppy. The energy is strong (3676 on Friday morning), so there’s plenty of water moving. Saturday the 12th is the cleaner option as I said.
Overall, if you’re an experienced surfer, Monday the 31st of August afternoon and Saturday the 12th of September afternoon are your best bets. The rest of the window is mostly a write-off due to wind. Not a classic run, but a couple of gems if you’re keen.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Tue morning, calm by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | NW 4 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2454 | 1958 | 1307 | 1163 | 1053 | 1103 | 1191 | 1339 | 1572 | 1572 | 2275 | 1613 | 1169 | 992 | 1512 | 1850 | 2085 | 73 | 2202 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 3:25PM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:34AM0.44m | 9:48PM0.07m | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 |
2454 | 1958 | 1307 | 1163 | 1053 | 1103 | 1191 | 1339 | 1572 | 1572 | 2275 | 1613 | 1169 | 992 | 1512 | 1850 | 2085 | 2626 | 2202 | 2003 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 15 | WSW 22 | SW 20 | SW 20 | — | WSW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | — |
53 | 25 | 21 | 17 | 45 | 98 | 136 | — | 256 | 373 | 214 | 137 | 45 | 638 | 94 | 135 | 144 | 73 | 73 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 24 | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | SSW 19 | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 11 | — | 16 | — | — | — | 72 | — | — | — | 82 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | SW 3 | SW 6 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 |
— | — | — | 33 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 64 | 12 | 16 | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 146 | 23 | 13 | 62 | 13 | 13 | 62 | 13 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 54 | 48 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 12 | 78 | 491 | 478 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Mornington Peninsula | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











