Surf Forecasts:
Cathedral Rock surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 4,414 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 21s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cathedral Rock in the next 16 days are 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cathedral Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Cathedral Rock.
We’ve got a solid run of surf stretching over the next couple of weeks. The water’s right around 57°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises when you hop in.
The action kicks off on Monday the 24th with a 6ft SW swell and a long 14-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, packing some serious punch. The morning wind is cross-off from the NNW at 9 mph, so it’ll be clean and lined up, a bit of a challenge for the less experienced but dang good for those who can handle it. The afternoon gets even better with the wind dropping to 3 mph and going offshore, keeping things glassy.
Tuesday the 25th stays solid. Morning sees a 7ft SW swell (13s period) with a light ENE cross-off, again clean. The afternoon turns a bit sketchy with a cross-on wind from the SSW, so the morning is the call.
Now, Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are a bit of a mixed bag. Wednesday gets choppy with cross-onshore winds, not worth paddling out. Thursday drops right down to 3ft and 2ft, but the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. Small, clean, and perfect for a longboard if you’re keen.
Here’s the first standout: Friday the 28th morning. The swell bumps back to 5ft, but look at that period – 18 seconds! That is a very long-period groundswell. The wind is glassy from the WNW at 3 mph. This is as clean as it gets. Cathedral Rock, being a point, will handle that long period beautifully, giving you shaped-up, powerful lines with nice gaps between sets. This is the session to aim for.
Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th mornings are both glassy with 5ft and 4ft SW swells respectively. Good options for a fun weekend, though the afternoons get a bit of a light cross-on breeze.
Then, a big one: Monday the 31st morning. We’re looking at a 10ft SW swell with a 17-second period. The wind is a 3 mph cross-off from the NW. Clean, big, powerful. This is for experts only, no question. Over 8ft, so leave the foam boards at home. Tuesday the 1st of September is also excellent with a 7ft SW swell and glassy conditions in the afternoon.
The best of the whole run? That Friday the 28th window, and then the big Monday the 31st for the brave.
The second week stays active. The 4th of September afternoon pumps out an 12ft WSW swell – exceptional, but for experts only, with clean cross-off wind. The 6th of September has strong wind (19 mph offshore) but a 10ft SW swell; the wind will keep it clean but it’s mean. After that, into the 8th, the swell drops and the wind picks up, so it gets less appealing.
To be honest, crowds might pop up here sometimes. If you get the timing right on those glassy mornings, you’ll be laughing.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1423 | 1037 | 1092 | 1521 | 1259 | 1558 | 1528 | 1137 | 940 | 243 | 186 | 863 | 1501 | 2290 | 1743 | 1016 | 834 | 501 | 600 | 2133 | 2959 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:00PM1.43m | 9:17AM1.56m | 8:08PM1.35m | 10:34AM1.58m | 9:39PM1.32m | 11:33AM1.63m | 11:02PM1.38m | 12:17PM1.70m | 00:04AM1.49m | 12:52PM1.76m | 00:53AM1.62m | 1:23PM1.81m | 1:36AM1.76m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:48PM1.03m | 1:57AM0.50m | 3:12PM1.07m | 3:08AM0.56m | 4:43PM1.03m | 4:22AM0.56m | 5:46PM0.93m | 5:26AM0.53m | 6:29PM0.80m | 6:18AM0.49m | 7:03PM0.65m | 7:02AM0.45m | 7:33PM0.50m | ||||||||
6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
1423 | 1037 | 1092 | 1521 | 1259 | 1558 | 1528 | 1137 | 940 | 243 | 135 | 757 | 1501 | 2290 | 1743 | 1016 | 834 | 501 | 600 | 2133 | 2959 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 21 | SW 20 | SW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | SW 16 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 19 | WSW 13 | S 9 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 18 | SSE 17 | S 15 |
9 | 15 | 81 | 184 | 452 | — | — | — | 41 | 170 | 186 | 863 | 649 | 7 | — | — | 22 | 72 | 405 | 28 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 20 | S 14 | SSE 14 | E 4 | — | — | — | SW 24 | SW 15 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | — | S 15 |
— | 38 | 4 | 76 | 5 | — | — | — | 22 | 134 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | 72 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 206 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 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.











