The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.0°C
0.4° 

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


The Cutting surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 7,024 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 3.5m 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 0.3m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Mon 24th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Fri 28th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 31st Aug)11ft (3.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cutting over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, Rusty here, and I’ve had a good look at what’s coming down the pipe for The Cutting. We’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but you’re gonna need to pick your moments. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

The first real action kicks off on Monday morning, the 24th of August. We’re looking at a solid 8ft SW groundswell with a period of 14 seconds rolling in. The wave energy is pumping at a strong 2187 (moderate energy), and we’ve got a clean, moderate offshore breeze from the north. The sets will be well-formed and lined up, but this is one for the experienced crew only – it’s a proper slab. The afternoon holds similar size at 7ft, still clean, but the tide could be a factor later on.

Tuesday the 25th is a write-off. The wind swings onshore and choppy, and despite the 8ft swell, the quality drops right off. Wednesday the 26th is the same story – cross-on winds and messy conditions. Not worth suiting up for.

Now, Thursday the 27th is where we get a nice reset. The swell drops to a cleaner 4ft from the SSW, but the period is a touch shorter at 11 seconds. The real story is the offshore breeze from the NNW. It’s clean and glassy, making for a much more user-friendly session. The afternoon picks up to 5ft with a longer 13-second period and clean conditions. This is a solid option for intermediates.

Friday the 28th is a beast, but it’s a beast that bites. We’re looking at a massive 10ft SW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. The wave energy is through the roof at 5517 (very strong energy). The morning has a light offshore, and the afternoon goes absolutely glassy. But, and this is a big but – 10ft of long-period SW groundswell at The Cutting is going to be a washing machine for anyone but the most seasoned charger. This is expert-only territory.

Saturday the 29th morning is much more manageable. A clean 7ft SW swell with a 14-second period, light offshore, and the energy is a solid 1862 (moderate). This is a standout session for experienced surfers. The afternoon turns onshore, so get out early.

Sunday the 30th morning is a sneaky good one. The swell is a smaller 4ft, but it’s a long-period SSW groundswell at 19 seconds – that’s very long period energy. It’s glassy, the wave energy is still a healthy 1916 (moderate), and the conditions will be pristine. This is your best bet for a relaxed, clean session if you’re not after a heavy beatdown.

Monday the 31st of August sees another big pulse. We’ve got 12ft SW swell with a 17-second period. The wave energy is 7024 (very strong). The morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, but again, this is too big for the break. The same goes for the afternoon – huge but messy.

We then settle into a really solid run from Tuesday the 1st of September right through to Saturday the 5th. The swell sits consistently around 7ft to 8ft from the SW, with periods between 13 and 15 seconds. The winds are mostly offshore or cross-off, keeping things clean. The wave energy is moderate to strong. This is a quality block of surf for anyone who’s comfortable in the 6ft+ range. Tuesday the 1st and Saturday the 5th are both top picks from this run – the wind is perfect offshore.

Sunday the 6th of September is a write-off. A 34 mph offshore gale and a 10ft to 13ft swell make for a dangerous, un-rideable mess.

Looking into the second week, Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th of September stay big. Swells of 10ft to 13ft are on the cards, but the winds are fresh to strong offshores. The energy is huge, but the size will keep this one locked down for experts only, and even then, it’s a handful.

Best on Offer: The standout is Friday the 28th of August morning – a huge, powerful 10ft SW groundswell (17-second period) with a light offshore. It’s a beast, but a beautiful one for the right person. For a more accessible and clean session, Sunday the 30th of August morning with that glassy 4ft, 19-second period groundswell is a hidden gem.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Thu morning). 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
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
2
0
0
2
1
4
3
4
5
!
!
4
4
2
4
4
4
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SW
14
2.1
SW
13
2.2
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.4
SW
13
2.1
SW
12
1.1
SSW
11
1.6
SW
13
1.6
SW
19
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
14
2
SW
14
1.7
SW
13
1.2
SSW
19
2.5
SSW
16
3
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2171
1521
1583
2207
2283
2895
2005
1915
1335
285
905
1856
5499
4282
2944
1862
1537
981
1001
3456
3979
Wind (km/h)
20
N
20
NNE
10
ENE
15
ESE
25
SSW
20
SW
15
SW
15
WSW
10
N
15
NNW
15
NW
15
NNW
10
N
0
SSW
10
NNE
5
N
10
S
10
NE
5
ENE
10
SSE
10
NNE
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
off
glassy
cross-off
off
on
cross-off
glassy
on
off
High Tide
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
1:33PM0.90m
1:18AM0.68m
1:44PM0.86m
1:45AM0.75m
Low Tide
10:23PM0.27m
9:23PM0.33m
4:49AM0.27m
8:29PM0.35m
5:37AM0.21m
8:04PM0.35m
6:13AM0.17m
7:54PM0.33m
6:45AM0.15m
7:52PM0.29m
7:15AM0.16m
7:55PM0.24m
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
 mm
3
13
3
Temp °C
15
15
13
12
13
11
12
12
11
14
15
14
16
16
15
16
16
14
16
16
14
Feels °C
11
11
10
10
9
6
8
8
10
11
12
11
15
15
13
15
13
11
14
13
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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

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