The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
13.9°C
0.3° 

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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 11,329 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Sun 30th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 1PM (Sun 30th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful10AM (Sat 5th Sep)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down what’s coming for The Cutting in good old feet and miles per hour.

This is an exposed reef break that lives for a solid south swell, and we’ve got a proper run of energy over the next two and a bit weeks. Water temp is around 57°F, which is right where it should be for this time of year.

It starts Saturday the 29th of August with an 8-foot south-west swell, 14 second period – proper groundswell. The morning has a light cross breeze, so it’ll be a bit bumpy but still rideable for intermediates. The combined swell energy is strong at 2509. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-onshore wind, so the morning is your window.

Sunday the 30th sees the swell building to 10 feet by the afternoon, still south-west, 13 seconds. That’s got some real punch – combined energy 2942 – but the wind is cross-onshore all day, so it’s choppy. This is too big for beginners, and by the afternoon it’s over 8 feet, so it’s for the experienced crew.

Monday the 31st is where it all comes together. You’ve got a 10-foot south-west swell, still 14 seconds, but the wind goes light offshore in the morning and then dead glassy by the afternoon. Combined energy hits 5052, which is very strong wave energy. The waves will be big and powerful, but that glassy surface makes it clean. Only for well-equipped intermediates and above. This is a standout session.

Tuesday the 1st of September brings a fresh 19 mph offshore wind in the morning, cleaning up an 8-foot south-west swell with a long 16-second period. Combined energy at 3101. That’s as good as it gets for shape and power. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Wednesday the 2nd: another 8-foot south-west swell, 15 seconds, with moderate offshore winds in the morning. Clean, solid, and powerful – combined energy 3266. The afternoon winds go cross and the swell jumps to 12 feet, which is too big and lumpy for most.

Thursday the 3rd through to Monday the 7th of September sees a massive pulse of swell, from 13 feet up to a huge 21 feet. The combined energy numbers are staggering – up to 34323. This is giant, dangerous surf for experts only. Unless you’re charging big waves, stay well clear.

After that, the swell slowly drops. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are still 10 to 16 feet but with poor onshore winds. Thursday the 10th of September cleans up with an 18-foot south-west swell, 16 seconds, and light cross-offshore winds – combined energy 16266. That’s a big, clean groundswell, but again, expert territory.

Friday the 11th starts clean with a 12-foot south-west swell, 15 seconds, and a fresh offshore breeze – combined energy 4422. That’s a decent window for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets wrecked by strong crosswinds.

The last few days, Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of September, drop to 8-foot south-south-west swell with a long 16-second period on Saturday, and clean cross-offshore winds. Combined energy is 4108 – very strong, but the long period might make it a bit straight at this reef. Sunday gets messy again.

Bottom line: the standout is Monday the 31st of August with glassy conditions and a solid 10-foot south-west swell. Next best is the morning of Tuesday the 1st of September with fresh offshore winds and that long 16-second groundswell. For the brave, Thursday the 10th of September has huge clean waves but only for the experts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NW by Thu night).

Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
2
!
!
!
!
!
4
1
!
4
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.4
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
3
WSW
14
2.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
14
4
SW
14
4
SW
14
4
SW
14
4
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2509
1892
1952
2415
2752
3264
3517
3056
4826
3090
2027
3212
3264
4455
5570
6737
6245
6350
6271
5369
5785
Wind (km/h)
10
W
15
SW
15
WSW
15
WSW
15
SW
5
W
10
NW
5
S
15
N
30
N
35
NW
20
WNW
25
WNW
30
W
25
NW
25
WNW
25
WSW
15
NNW
30
NNW
35
N
35
NW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
1:33PM0.90m
1:18AM0.68m
1:44PM0.86m
1:45AM0.75m
1:52PM0.81m
2:13AM0.81m
1:57PM0.76m
2:43AM0.84m
1:57PM0.72m
3:15AM0.85m
1:52PM0.71m
3:50AM0.82m
1:41PM0.73m
Low Tide
7:52PM0.29m
7:15AM0.16m
7:55PM0.24m
7:44AM0.20m
8:01PM0.18m
8:12AM0.26m
8:11PM0.12m
8:36AM0.34m
8:23PM0.07m
8:56AM0.44m
8:38PM0.03m
9:05AM0.54m
8:56PM0.01m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
 mm
2
2
1
3
Temp °C
11
11
10
11
11
10
12
14
14
18
20
13
14
14
13
14
14
13
17
14
15
Feels °C
7
7
7
8
8
8
11
13
11
12
13
8
8
8
7
9
9
9
10
7
8
  • 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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