Surf Forecasts:
Cathedral Rock surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 8,966 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cathedral Rock this week:
The surf forecast for Cathedral Rock over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cathedral Rock in the next 16 days are 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cathedral Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks at Cathedral Rock. This is a point break, fairly consistent, and it’s got a good SSW exposure which is right in its wheelhouse.
Water temp is 57°F, which is pretty much average for this time of year – nothing wild happening there. You’ll want a decent wetsuit, standard for the area.
The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. Tuesday the 18th has some clean conditions with a 5ft SW swell, but it’s a bit on the weak side energy-wise (1192). It’s surfable, but not exactly firing. Wednesday drops right off – small 3ft stuff and the energy just fades away (309). Thursday’s a little better with 5ft on offer (857), but it’s still nothing to write home about. So we’ve got a bit of a lull for the first few days.
Then things start to get interesting. Friday the 21st, the swell jumps up to 8ft in the morning and 10ft in the afternoon, with a solid 14-second period. The energy is really starting to build (2797 and 5053). Wind is light and cross-off, so it’s going to be clean. This is where it starts to get proper.
But the real standout is Saturday the 22nd. This is the one. We’ve got an 12ft to 13ft SW swell, with a long 15-16 second period. The energy is pumping – we’re talking 11101 and 13169, which is strong to very strong. The direction is perfect for the spot. There’s a bit of cross-shore wind, but it’s light. The only catch is the surf quality is listed as “marginal” which often means it’s big and a bit shifty. At 13ft, this is definitely for experienced surfers only – if you’re a beginner, stay well clear. This is a proper big-wave day. Crowds are a possibility on a day like this, so get out early.
Sunday the 23rd is still good, with 8ft of SW swell, but the energy drops back a notch (3299). The morning is cross-shore, but the afternoon goes glassy with a 16-second period – that’s going to be beautiful and clean. Another solid option.
After that, the week after it eases off. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th have 5ft to 6ft clean waves, but nothing that special. There’s a bit of a drop in energy (around 800-1500). It’s still fun, but the main event has passed.
Late in the week, the wind turns onshore and messy – Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th get increasingly cross-chop and the quality drops. That big swell is gone, and it’s just not worth the paddle. By Saturday the 29th, there’s a 19 mph onshore wind and the conditions are flat-out poor.
Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st see the onshore winds ease but it’s still cross-onshore, and the energy stays moderate (1480 to 2148). It’s not great, but it’s not terrible either.
The real second-week gem is Tuesday the 1st of September. The wind goes glassy in the morning with a 6ft SW swell and a 16-second period. It’s clean, it’s punchy, and it’s the best of the second week. This is worth a look if you missed the weekend.
Wednesday the 2nd also has some decent 6ft SW swell with clean cross-off winds in the morning, so that’s a backup.
So, for the standout – it’s Saturday the 22nd. Big, powerful, and clean. The Friday before is good, and the Sunday after is still worth it. For the long-range, September 1st is the one to circle. Just remember, the further out you go, the less certain it gets. But it’s looking promising.
Anyway, that’s the rundown. Get on the Saturday if you're keen for a proper session. Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
928 | 553 | 605 | 309 | 340 | 214 | 700 | 577 | 1913 | 1277 | 3111 | 3326 | 6161 | 7620 | 3991 | 2322 | 3001 | 2266 | 1463 | 1075 | 814 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:16PM2.00m | 3:54AM2.03m | 3:51PM1.94m | 4:38AM1.99m | 4:26PM1.85m | 5:22AM1.91m | 5:01PM1.75m | 6:08AM1.81m | 5:36PM1.64m | 6:59AM1.70m | 6:14PM1.53m | 8:01AM1.61m | 7:00PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:33PM0.10m | 9:56AM0.42m | 10:11PM0.10m | 10:37AM0.53m | 10:49PM0.14m | 11:18AM0.66m | 11:29PM0.22m | 12:00PM0.79m | 00:11AM0.31m | 12:47PM0.92m | 00:58AM0.41m | 1:48PM1.03m | 1:57AM0.50m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | NE 6 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 11 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
928 | 553 | 605 | 309 | 43 | 214 | 700 | 577 | 1014 | 626 | 1667 | 3326 | 4853 | 5341 | 3991 | 2322 | 3001 | 2266 | 1463 | 1075 | 814 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 13 | E 4 | — | SW 15 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | S 16 | SW 24 | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | — | SW 21 | WSW 20 | SW 18 |
212 | 249 | 9 | — | 340 | 37 | 157 | 216 | 544 | 795 | 275 | 5 | 87 | 163 | 306 | 973 | 886 | — | 18 | 37 | 81 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 17 | — | — | — | SW 18 | E 7 | E 8 | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | S 16 | S 20 | S 15 | — | — | WSW 21 | — | S 15 |
2 | 5 | — | — | — | 121 | 1 | 1 | — | 99 | — | — | — | 45 | 8 | 4 | — | — | 44 | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 5 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | — | SW 15 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNW 3 |
50 | 42 | 8 | 77 | 83 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1913 | 1277 | 3111 | — | 6161 | 7620 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 48 | 0 | 145 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Otway | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cathedral Rock Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cathedral Rock provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cathedral Rock can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cathedral Rock 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 (Cathedral Rock) 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 Cathedral Rock 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.
Cathedral Rock is 52 km (32 miles) from the city of Geelong West. If you plan a holiday in Cape Otway, look for hotels and other accommodation in Geelong West. Geelong West has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











