Surf Forecasts:
Cape Schanck surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 3,455 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. 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 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 16s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cape Schanck over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, crew. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way for Cape Schanck. The good news is there’s surf on the horizon, but you’re going to need some patience, because the first week is going to be a write-off for the most part. After that, the second week shows some real promise, especially right at the end of the window.
The Overall Picture
We’re starting off with some solid groundswell energy, but it’s getting hammered by strong winds. The first few days are pretty much a bust unless you’re kiting. The real standouts are tucked away at the very end of the forecast, and one morning in particular looks absolutely firing.
The Run Down
Monday the 17th kicks things off with a clean 5 ft SW swell, but with a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is moderate at 1467, but it’s just not coming together for a good session – it’s a "marginal" call.
Tuesday the 18th is the first real glimmer. A 4 ft SW swell with a period of 14 seconds, combined with a light NE offshore wind in the morning and glassy conditions by the afternoon. The wave energy is moderate (962), and the morning is going to be clean. This is your best bet early on.
Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are a total loss. Solid winds from the north and northwest – 28 mph on Wednesday, 19 mph on Thursday – will make it a messy, blown-out affair. The swell is small and choppy. Avoid.
Friday the 21st starts small and ugly, but the afternoon brings a jump in swell to 5 ft from the SW with a 14-second period and strong wave energy (1492). However, the cross-shore wind is still moderate and lumpy, so it’s only a marginal call.
Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are straight-up poor, with strong onshore winds whipping up a 8 ft SW groundswell. That’s a lot of water moving around, but the wind is just ruining it. The combined energy is into the thousands (over 2700 on Saturday), showing a powerful system, but it’s all for naught.
Monday the 24th holds a secret weapon. The afternoon has a 5 ft SW swell, with a moderate 909 energy, but the wind goes *glass* – a 3 mph breeze from the southwest. That’s going to be clean and smooth. A solid option for a Monday arvo session.
Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th see a return of powerful swell, but with strong onshore or cross-onshore winds (up to 28 mph). That big energy is just churning up slop. Not worth it for paddling in.
The Week 2 Standout
Okay, listen up. Look at Monday the 31st of August. We’ve got a 4 ft swell from the southwest, and here’s the kicker – the period is a massive 20 seconds. That’s a proper, deep ocean groundswell with massive energy (1768). The water is sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year. The wind is a light, 3 mph ESE breeze, cross-offshore, promising clean conditions. This is the standout. This is the one you want to be in the water for. That long period will wrap beautifully into Cape Schanck’s reef setup, giving long, powerful lines. It’s going to be a clean, glassy morning with some serious juice.
Tuesday the 1st of September also holds a 6 ft SW swell with a strong 17-second period and high energy (1836), but it’s got a moderate cross-offshore breeze. It’s another good-looking day, but Monday the 31st is the prime pick.
So, to sum up: be patient. The first week is largely a washout. Tuesday the 18th gives you a small window, and Monday the 24th afternoon is worth a look. But circle Monday the 31st of August on your calendar. That’s the one that’s got me excited.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight 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 NE on Tue afternoon, near gales from the N by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SE 7 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1171 | 597 | 621 | 465 | 251 | 2 | 61 | 157 | 219 | 219 | 0 | 597 | 2610 | 2906 | 3330 | 2717 | 2171 | 1785 | 1904 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:23AM1.67m | 3:25PM1.71m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:22AM0.35m | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
1171 | 597 | 621 | 465 | 251 | 239 | 217 | 427 | 484 | 572 | 658 | 334 | 2610 | 2906 | 3330 | 2717 | 2171 | 1785 | 1904 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | ESE 4 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 |
17 | 358 | 51 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 61 | 157 | 219 | 219 | 530 | 597 | 135 | 144 | — | 149 | 155 | 112 | 48 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 5 | — | ESE 4 | S 15 | — | SW 20 | S 17 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | — | SSW 19 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | — |
— | 7 | — | 10 | 4 | — | 15 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 98 | 460 | — | — | — | 36 | 84 | 31 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | — | ESE 5 | — | N 4 | N 4 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | — | — | WSW 11 | — | NW 3 | WSW 16 | — | — | WSW 5 | — |
42 | — | 11 | — | 17 | 27 | 9 | 17 | 11 | — | — | 627 | — | 3 | 4299 | — | — | 71 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 61 | 22 | 48 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 48 | 49 | 62 | 49 | 17 | 12 |
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.











