Cape Schanck Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.50° S 144.89° E

Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cape Schanck sea temperature is
13.7° 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 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 4,375 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 18s. 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 16s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Best Surf 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 14s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the coming run for Cape Schanck. It’s a reef setup, fairly exposed to the south-east, and the water is sitting at 14°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a nice little bonus for the hands.

The first real flicker of anything worthwhile doesn’t show up until the weekend. Friday and Saturday are pretty much a write-off – strong onshore winds, messy conditions, and swell that’s either tiny or raw. For Saturday the 22nd, the afternoon sees a 12 ft SW swell but it’s pinned with a 25 mph onshore wind, so that’s for experts only, and even then it’s a battle. You’d have to be a glutton for punishment.

The standout window opens on Sunday the 23rd. The morning brings a clean 8 ft SW swell with a 14-second period and a light offshore wind from the north-west. The combined energy is strong (2476). That’s a solid, powerful groundswell with clean conditions. The afternoon is even better for the experienced crew: a 7 ft SW swell, 14-second period, light north wind, and the combined energy is still pumping (2138). The water is clean, the wind is light, and the reef should be handling that long-period swell well. This is the pick of the whole forecast.

Monday the 24th drops off a bit to 5 ft, still clean and cross-off, but the energy is moderate (896). Tuesday the 25th is similar in size but the wind goes onshore in the afternoon, ending the session. Wednesday the 26th is blown out. Thursday the 27th is small and clean but the energy is weak (136) – not worth paddling out for.

There’s a long gap of poor conditions from the 29th all the way through to the 31st, with strong onshore winds and messy surf. The energy picks up again on the 31st (1358) with a 5 ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-shore, so it’s a bit lumpy.

Then you get a promising window from the 1st of September. The morning of the 1st has a 7 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, light cross-off wind, and the combined energy is strong (2242). The morning of the 2nd of September is similar: 7 ft SW, 16-second period, clean cross-off from the north-west, and energy at 2325. That’s another excellent session for experienced surfers, with that long-period groundswell peeling nicely on the reef.

The 5th of September looks big but messy, so don’t get too excited. If you’re looking for the best of the best, lock in Sunday the 23rd of August and the 1st and 2nd of September.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Fri night, light winds from the N by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Mon night, strong winds from the WSW by Tue night).

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
4
3
1
2
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
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
WSW
15
1.2
SW
14
0.8
WNW
4
2.1
SW
15
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
1.9
SW
16
1.5
SW
14
1.4
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.6
SW
13
1.7
SW
13
1.5
SW
14
3
SW
11
2.2
SW
13
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
1
SW
14
1.3
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
0
606
20
2021
4334
3067
1892
1785
1719
874
743
633
905
976
915
1685
1594
127
106
401
1210
Wind (km/h)
30
WNW
30
NW
40
WNW
35
W
40
SW
15
WNW
15
NW
10
N
20
NNW
30
N
20
N
15
NE
25
N
35
SW
35
W
35
WSW
35
SW
15
WSW
20
NNW
10
NNE
25
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:01PM1.53m
6:06AM1.46m
5:31PM1.45m
6:51AM1.38m
6:04PM1.37m
7:47AM1.31m
6:44PM1.29m
8:59AM1.27m
7:41PM1.21m
10:20AM1.29m
9:06PM1.17m
11:26AM1.34m
10:40PM1.18m
Low Tide
11:12AM0.62m
11:33PM0.25m
11:48AM0.71m
00:11AM0.32m
12:26PM0.81m
00:53AM0.40m
1:16PM0.89m
1:46AM0.46m
2:29PM0.95m
2:53AM0.50m
4:09PM0.95m
4:09AM0.51m
5:29PM0.87m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:54
6:54
6:52
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
1
6
2
3
1
Temp °C
13
13
12
13
12
12
11
15
13
15
17
15
13
12
12
12
11
11
11
15
14
Feels °C
9
7
5
6
4
7
8
12
9
10
12
11
9
5
3
4
3
7
6
11
9
  • 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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