Surf Forecasts:
Cape Schanck surf forecast from 30 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, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 4,668 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 11s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM.
| 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 | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Schanck over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Cape Schanck has on offer. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, with plenty of size but the wind’s going to be the main character for most of it. The water temp is doing its usual thing for this time of year, nothing wild to report.
The first real glimmer comes in on Monday morning, August 31st. We’ve got a clean 7ft SW groundswell rolling in with a decent 14-second period, and a gentle cross-shore breeze. It’s not perfect, but it’s the first sign of life. The energy’s moderate at best (1572), and you’ll have to work for it with the cross-chop, but it’s a start.
The standout window, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Friday afternoon, September 4th. This is where it all comes together. We’re looking at a solid 10ft SW groundswell, period stretching to 16 seconds, and the wind swings to a gentle offshore from the NNE. That’s the recipe for clean, lined-up waves for experienced surfers. The combined energy is strong (4040), and the setup is described as excellent. This is the pick of the forecast – get on it.
Before that, Wednesday morning, September 9th, is worth a mention for the big-wave crew. It’s a chunky 16ft SW swell with 15-second period. The energy is very strong (10682), but it’s messy with a fresh cross-shore and lumpy conditions. Only for the experienced, and even then, it’s a battle.
After the Friday high, things taper off. Friday morning, September 11th has a long-period 7ft SW swell (18 seconds) with a gentle cross-shore, but it’s only marginal. The afternoon of the 11th sees a 8ft SW groundswell (17 seconds) with a light offshore from the ENE, described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s another good session, but the Friday before it is the real winner.
From Saturday September 12th onward, the surf drops off. The swell goes below 7ft and the winds get messy again. The last few days of the run are weak and sloppy, with energy values dropping below 1000. Not much to report there.
So, to sum it up: Cape Schanck is a reef setup that handles a good SW groundswell. The optimum direction matches the swell direction, which is a bonus. But the crowds can be there often, so keep that in mind for the Friday September 4th standout. The rest of the window is either too windy, too messy, or just not worth paddling out for.
Keep your eyes on Friday September 4th – that’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the N by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu night, near gales from the N by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 15 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1103 | 1210 | 1438 | 1572 | 1572 | 2247 | 1474 | 949 | 290 | 1885 | 2146 | 2544 | 2233 | 3753 | 4553 | 4193 | 3040 | 2083 | 0 | 2987 | 2153 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 4:17AM1.72m | 3:58PM1.64m | 5:00AM1.69m | 4:35PM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:11AM0.49m | 10:26PM0.04m | 10:50AM0.57m | 11:09PM0.05m | ||||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | — | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | — | — | SW 11 |
1103 | 1210 | 1438 | 1572 | 1572 | 2247 | 1474 | 949 | 1442 | 1885 | 2146 | 2544 | 3347 | — | 4553 | 4193 | 3040 | 2083 | — | — | 2153 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 20 | — | WSW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | — | SW 15 |
98 | 136 | — | 256 | 373 | 232 | 94 | 47 | 290 | 98 | 138 | — | — | — | — | 326 | 220 | 95 | — | — | 104 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | — | — | — | SSW 20 | — | — | — | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
16 | — | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | 126 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | SW 6 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | SW 14 | SW 13 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | WSW 15 | SW 11 | SW 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 32 | — | 116 | 5 | 42 | 2233 | 3753 | — | — | — | 40 | 4394 | 2987 | 1328 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 62 | 13 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 473 | 80 | 49 | 49 | 48 | 78 | 52 | 52 | 17 | 12 | 54 | 344 | 478 | 536 | 13 |
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.











