Surf Forecasts:
The Cutting surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,760 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cutting this week:
The surf forecast for The Cutting over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM. 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cutting over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and we’re lookin’ at a tale of two halves for the next couple of weeks at The Cutting. This break is fully exposed to the south, so it grabs a ton of energy, but for the first ten days or so, it’s gonna be a wild beast. The combined swell energy is in the thousands (8712 to 13345), which is some seriously powerful, heavy water moving through. We’re talkin’ South West groundswell with periods of 14 to 18 seconds—proper long-period juice that loves a reef or point, but at The Cutting, that size is gonna be a handful. The water temp is about average for the season, so no surprises there.
For the first week, it’s basically a washout for anyone who isn’t a maniac. Saturday the 22nd is a total loss with a 4.5m SW swell and a cross-onshore wind, makin’ poor, choppy slop. Sunday the 23rd looks cleaner with a cross-offshore or light cross-wind, but the swell is still a huge 3.5m. The data says it’s just too big for this spot, so unless you’re a tow-in crew huntin’ a bomb, give it a miss. The combined energy is still strong (5428 to 5564). Monday the 24th is the first real standout. Swell drops to a still-chunky 2.2m to 2.4m from the SW, but we get a gentle offshore wind from the north in the mornin’ and clean conditions all day. The energy is moderate (1717 to 2309). This is the pick of the week for any experienced surfer who wants a test on a powerful, clean wave. It’s a consistent spot that can get busy, so expect some company.
From Tuesday the 25th through to Saturday the 30th, it’s a messy mix of onshore wind and either too-big or marginal swells. Not worth paddlin’. Then, on Monday the 31st, we get a glassy mornin’ with 3.5m SW swell—temptin’, but still too big for comfortable surfin’ here at The Cutting. The first week of September looks a little quieter but still full-on. Tuesday the 1st is blown out with onshore winds, and Thursday the 3rd has a decent 2.5m SW swell with a clean offshore wind—excellent for experienced surfers, with moderate combined energy (2671). That’s a solid session.
The true highlight, the one to circle on the calendar, is Saturday the 5th of September. We got a 2.4m to 2.5m SW swell droppin’ to a modest combined energy (1715 to 2362), and the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. That’s a rare combo of manageable size and perfect conditions. This is the best on offer in the whole outlook: clean, offshore or glassy conditions with a solid, well-shaped wave. It’s a consistent break so crowds are possible, but for that quality, it’s worth the company. The Cutting is the only break on the menu, so that’s your lot. A rough start but a sweet finish for the patient surfer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
8658 | 8760 | 6776 | 3901 | 5428 | 3377 | 2171 | 1632 | 1791 | 2345 | 2045 | 2598 | 1834 | 1594 | 907 | 1255 | 1733 | 7319 | 7510 | 6950 | 4560 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:57PM0.74m | 1:16PM0.77m | 12:51PM0.82m | 12:50PM0.87m | 00:11AM0.35m | 12:58PM0.90m | 00:10AM0.43m | 1:09PM0.92m | 00:29AM0.51m | 1:21PM0.92m | 00:52AM0.59m | ||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:11PM0.16m | 10:26PM0.21m | 10:23PM0.27m | 9:23PM0.33m | 4:49AM0.27m | 8:29PM0.35m | 5:37AM0.21m | 8:04PM0.35m | 6:13AM0.17m | 7:54PM0.33m | |||||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 11 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
8658 | 8760 | 6776 | 3901 | 5428 | 3377 | 2171 | 1632 | 1791 | 2345 | 2045 | 2598 | 1834 | 1594 | 907 | 1255 | 1395 | 7319 | 7510 | 5800 | 4560 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 24 | SSW 21 | SW 20 | SSW 18 | — | — | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 22 | SW 20 | — | — | — | — |
54 | 305 | 872 | 1663 | — | — | 16 | 60 | 113 | 448 | 737 | — | — | 179 | 129 | 248 | 1733 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | ESE 5 | SW 24 | SW 22 | S 12 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 294 | — | — | 2 | 22 | 246 | 26 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 11 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6950 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 76 | 76 | 24 | 35 | 24 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 66 | 76 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 80 | 76 | 76 | 145 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Far West of Victoria | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Cutting Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Cutting provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Cutting can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Cutting 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 (The Cutting) 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 The Cutting 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 Far West of Victoria? If you are looking for accommodation near The Cutting, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Far West of Victoria, consider staying in Warrnambool which is 4 km (2 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Portland which is 80 km (50 miles) away











