Surf Forecasts:
Cunns surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SW swell with 1,586 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cunns this week:
The surf forecast for Cunns over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 19s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cunns in the next 16 days are 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ACST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cunns over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got the goods on Cunns for the next couple of weeks. This is a reef setup, exposed to a SW swell, and it’s an advanced spot that’s inconsistent – don’t expect it to fire every day. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
Right now, we’re in a dry spell. The first few days, from Tuesday the 18th through Thursday the 20th, are flat or just messy. Tuesday morning has a 4ft SW swell, but that 30 km/h NNE cross-wind’s got it lumpy and choppy. The energy’s weak (700), and it’s all poor. Wednesday and Thursday don’t get much better – 3ft to 4ft SW swells with onshore or cross-onshore wind, and the scores are terrible. There’s a real gap here; nothing worthwhile until Friday.
Friday the 21st morning is where it starts to get interesting. A 5ft SW swell (15 seconds) rolls in, and with a gentle SSE cross-offshore breeze, it’s clean. The combined energy’s moderate (1386), and conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the first real highlight – a solid pick for those who can handle it. Crowds are possible here, but with it being inconsistent, you might get a few peaks to yourself.
Saturday the 22nd morning keeps the run going. Same 5ft SW swell, light ENE cross-offshore wind, and clean faces. Energy’s moderate (1319), and it’s another standout for experienced surfers. The period’s 16 seconds, so it’s a proper long-period groundswell – sets will be well-spaced and powerful. This reef should handle that beautifully.
Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th ease off a bit. Sunday sees 4ft to 4ft SW swell with cross-winds, making it choppy. Monday drops to 3ft to 3ft, but the cross-offshore wind keeps it clean – just smaller and weaker energy (430 to 388). Tuesday the 25th is a write-off again with 20 km/h cross-winds and poor conditions.
Wednesday the 26th gets bigger but rougher. An 8ft WSW swell (8 seconds) shows up, but it’s short-period windswell and the cross-onshore wind is strong (35 km/h). Energy’s moderate (756 to 1490), but it’s lumpy and choppy – more of a kite session than a paddle. Thursday the 27th has a 7ft SW swell (16 seconds) with cross-winds, but the chop’s still there. At 7ft, it’s pushing into expert territory, but the wind ruins it.
Friday the 28th down to 5ft, then 4ft, with light to gentle winds – better but still marginal. Saturday the 29th has tiny 2ft to 3ft SW swells – long-period (19-20 seconds), though, so there’s some energy (615 to 788). The cross-offshore wind keeps it clean, but it’s not much to write home about.
Now, the next standout lands on Sunday the 30th of August. Morning session: 4ft SW swell (17 seconds) with a 20 km/h ESE offshore wind. Clean, moderate energy (1119), and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s a beauty. Monday the 31st afternoon also looks good – 4ft SW swell (18 seconds), light ESE offshore, clean, and expect very good surf conditions (924). Crowds are possible here too, so get in early.
The last day worth a glance is Tuesday the 1st of September. A 5ft SW swell (17 seconds) with gentle cross-wind – marginal but the period’s solid. After that, Wednesday the 2nd has 5ft SW swell but 30 km/h cross-winds ruin it.
So, the best bets: Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd mornings for clean, powerful waves, and Sunday the 30th for that offshore gem. The rest is either flat, messy, or too big with bad wind. Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). 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 18 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
686 | 482 | 1081 | 385 | 893 | 667 | 803 | 574 | 1028 | 868 | 1449 | 1513 | 1281 | 1053 | 746 | 1282 | 886 | 557 | 393 | 327 | 286 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:59PM1.07m | 2:40AM1.10m | 2:07PM0.99m | 3:00AM1.03m | 2:07PM0.91m | 3:19AM0.92m | 1:48PM0.84m | 3:31AM0.80m | 12:48PM0.83m | 2:55AM0.66m | 11:50AM0.92m | 1:02AM0.62m | 11:40AM1.06m | 00:18AM0.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:15PM0.01m | 8:30AM0.33m | 8:28PM0.06m | 8:43AM0.44m | 8:36PM0.13m | 8:44AM0.56m | 8:33PM0.21m | 7:56AM0.66m | 8:02PM0.28m | 5:37AM0.64m | 7:09PM0.28m | 5:03AM0.50m | 6:40PM0.23m | ||||||||
7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 17 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | — | WSW 8 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
686 | 482 | — | 165 | 893 | 667 | 803 | 574 | 1028 | 868 | 1449 | 1513 | 1281 | 1053 | 746 | 1282 | 886 | 557 | 393 | 327 | 286 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | SW 9 | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | — | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 19 | — | — | SW 22 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
— | — | — | 385 | 99 | 201 | — | 64 | 303 | 375 | — | — | 22 | 162 | 369 | — | — | 18 | 60 | 125 | 192 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NW 4 | WSW 16 | SW 8 | SW 15 | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | — | — | — | SE 4 | — | SW 16 | — | — | WSW 4 | SW 4 |
10 | 7 | 1081 | 18 | 77 | — | — | 91 | 62 | 104 | 101 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 64 | — | — | 4 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 401 | 564 | 649 | 649 | 652 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 632 | 0 | 0 | 491 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nullarbor | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cunns Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cunns provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cunns can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cunns 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 (Cunns) 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 Cunns 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Nullarbor? If you are looking for accommodation near Cunns, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nullarbor, consider staying in Thevenard which is 64 km (40 miles) away.











