Cathedral Rock Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.52° S 144.00° E

Cathedral Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cathedral Rock sea temperature is
13.7° C
0.6° 

Cathedral Rock surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cathedral Rock surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 5,948 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cathedral Rock over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, grab a coffee, let’s talk surf. This is Rusty, and we’ve got a run coming up for Cathedral Rock that’s got some real juice.

We start with a bit of a slow one. Wednesday the 19th has a light rain and a northerly offshore wind at 16 mph, with a 3ft SSW groundswell on a 15-second period. The wave energy is 311, so it’s weak, but it’s a clean start. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year.

Thursday the 20th picks up. The swell is 3ft-4ft from the WSW, 13-second period, with a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the NW at 9 mph. Energy jumps to 572-659, moderate. Clean lines.

Then, Friday the 21st is the standout of the first week. Morning has a 6ft WSW groundswell, 15-second period, with a light cross-offshore breeze. Energy is 1570 – strong. By the afternoon, the swell hits 8ft, same direction, 14-second period, with a light breeze. Energy is 4438. This is powerful, for experienced surfers only – over 8ft, it’s expert territory. The long period (15 seconds) will give you nice, lined-up waves at this point break. Crowds are possible, so get there early.

Saturday the 22nd gets messy. The swell is 10ft in the morning, but the wind goes cross-shore, making it marginal. Energy is still huge, but the chop will be a problem.

Sunday the 23rd bounces back. A 8ft SW groundswell, 14-second period, with a light cross-offshore breeze. Energy is 3303. The morning is clean, and by the afternoon, the wind drops to just 3 mph from the NW, glassy. That’s a beautiful session for experienced surfers. The swell is 7ft-8ft, too big for beginners.

Monday the 24th is a step down – the swell drops to 6ft-7ft, but the wind is cross-shore in the afternoon, marginal.

Tuesday the 25th is a washout. Onshore winds from the SSE up to 13 mph, poor surf.

Now, a long-range gem. Wednesday the 26th is a nice surprise. The swell is 4ft-5ft from the WSW/SW, with a 12-14 second period, and a light offshore breeze from the N/NW at 6 mph. Energy is 1054-722, moderate. The morning is clean. This is a good, solid day for intermediates and up. Crowds are possible.

Thursday the 27th is mixed with a moderate cross-offshore wind and marginal conditions, with the swell at 5ft-5ft.

Then, Friday the 28th is a massive swell – 13ft from the WSW, 15-16 second period, but the wind is onshore from the S/SSW at 13-16 mph. Energy is 11946-11968 – very strong, but the wind is trash. This is a kite-surfing setup, not for paddling.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are messy with cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell is still 7ft-7ft, but not clean.

And finally, Monday the 1st of September is a beauty. The morning is glassy – wind from the ENE at 3 mph – with a 7ft SW groundswell on a 14-second period. Energy is 1732, strong. The afternoon is also glassy with a 6ft swell. That’s clean, lined-up, for experienced surfers. The long period (14 seconds) will be best at this point break. Crowds are possible.

After that, Wednesday the 2nd of September is glassy in the morning with a 5ft swell, but turns onshore. Thursday the 3rd has a 8ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, but a light cross-onshore wind, marginal.

So, the best bets are Friday the 21st and Monday the 1st of September. Both have clean, offshore or glassy wind, strong groundswell, and good energy. The 21st is for the big-wave crew, and the 1st of September is a bit more manageable but still for experienced surfers. The long-range call on the 1st is promising, but it’s over a week out, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue night, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
2
3
4
5
7
3
3
4
4
4
4
2
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
0.8
WSW
14
1
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
16
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.1
SW
15
1.7
SW
12
2.1
SW
13
2.1
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
605
309
335
268
331
440
853
1332
2831
5433
3757
3178
3137
2229
1719
1882
792
1460
1395
Wind (km/h)
20
N
25
N
20
N
20
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
W
15
W
15
WSW
10
NW
10
NW
5
NW
10
NW
15
NW
15
WSW
10
S
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
High Tide
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
9:56AM0.42m
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
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
 mm
4
4
3
1
7
Temp °C
14
13
14
13
13
14
12
14
14
11
15
15
12
15
16
12
17
15
10
Feels °C
11
9
12
10
10
11
9
11
11
8
12
11
10
12
14
9
13
12
9
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  • 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 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.

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