Surf Forecasts:
Cathedral Rock surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 14,602 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 24s is also forecast. 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 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cathedral Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but this 16-day window is building towards some serious late-summer groundswell at Cathedral Rock. The water's sitting right around 57°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off for quality surfing. Tuesday the 28th has some swell, around 6ft from the SW, but that fresh north-northwest cross-off breeze at 19 mph is making it messy and the energy is just confused (2499). Wednesday the 29th is a no-go – a big 16ft SW swell with cross-onshore winds turning it into a washing machine. Thursday the 30th is still marginal, with a 8ft SW swell and cross-shore winds, but the energy is picking up a bit (3483). It’s not until Friday afternoon the 31st that we see a glimmer of hope. The swell drops to 5ft from the SW, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm. The water turns to glass. That’s a rare moment of clean, small waves, but it’s a short window.
The real standout is Saturday, August 1st. This is where we get our first proper session. Morning brings a clean 6ft SW groundswell with a long 17-second period and a light offshore breeze from the NNW. The energy is solid (2123). The afternoon holds up too, with a 6ft SW, 18-second period swell and a clean cross-off breeze. The water is clean, the waves have shape, and that long period means good lines for a point break like Cathedral Rock. Beginners might find the 6ft a bit much, but for intermediates, this is quality.
Another one to circle is Sunday, August 9th. This is a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it looks promising. A 10ft SW swell (3734) with a strong, moderate offshore wind from the north at 16 mph. That’s a big, powerful groundswell with clean conditions. This one is for experienced surfers only – over 8ft is expert territory. The size and the offshore wind will make for some epic, hollow waves at the point.
There are a few other windows worth noting, like the morning of Tuesday the 5th with a clean 6ft SW swell, and the glassy afternoon of Friday the 7th with a 8ft SW swell. But the 1st and the 9th are the ones to really plan for. The second week has some solid energy but also some onshore wind days, so patience is key. The session on the 9th is the one I’d be most excited about, but like I said, it’s a long way out.
Stay frothy,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Tue night, light winds from the W by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1167 | 2562 | 5707 | 12049 | 7795 | 4668 | 2207 | 2008 | 1188 | 819 | 711 | 689 | 2117 | 2076 | 3996 | 2612 | 2374 | 3702 | 7745 | 2901 | 1677 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 11:10AM1.69m | 10:07PM1.36m | 12:03PM1.75m | 11:14PM1.38m | 12:47PM1.81m | 00:13AM1.43m | 1:23PM1.86m | 1:04AM1.51m | 1:56PM1.90m | 1:49AM1.60m | 2:26PM1.92m | 2:31AM1.69m | 2:55PM1.92m | 3:12AM1.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:18PM1.02m | 4:48AM0.43m | 6:16PM0.95m | 5:43AM0.41m | 7:00PM0.85m | 6:31AM0.38m | 7:37PM0.75m | 7:15AM0.36m | 8:09PM0.63m | 7:56AM0.36m | 8:40PM0.52m | 8:35AM0.38m | 9:09PM0.41m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 13 | — | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1167 | 2562 | 4937 | — | — | 3809 | 2207 | 1475 | 1188 | 819 | 711 | 689 | 2117 | 2076 | 3996 | 2612 | 2374 | 1888 | 4079 | 2901 | 1677 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 18 | S 17 | SW 13 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | ESE 16 | WSW 18 | — | S 14 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 343 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 64 | — | 21 | 72 | 186 | 212 | 6 | 892 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 356 | — | 4 | 109 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 989 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | NW 4 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | — | — |
| kJ | 51 | 13 | 5707 | 12049 | 7795 | 4668 | — | 2008 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 14 | 3702 | 7745 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 210 | 572 | 567 | 537 | 686 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 62 | 98 | 18 | 57 |
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.
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