The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

Issued: 9 pm 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.9° C

Slightly warmer than usual

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 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 5 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 14,563 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period with SSW 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 (Jul 05) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.0m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 5.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 05) 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 1.8m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 5th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 16s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 5th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 5th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for The Cutting over the next couple of weeks.

First off, there’s a gap at the start. The forecast kicks off Saturday, July 4th, but with a solid 12ft SW swell runnin’ at 13 seconds, it’s lookin’ messy. The wind is a cross-on 12 mph from the SSW, and the water is sittin’ at 59°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is pumpin’ at 4240, but it’s “poor surf conditions” – not worth the paddle.

Sunday, July 5th, brings a huge 16ft SSW groundswell (17 seconds) and a combined energy of 13664 – that’s massive. But it’s just too big for this spot, and with a cross wind from the ESE at 12 mph, it’s a definite no-go for the average surfer. The afternoon holds at 15ft, same story.

Now, Monday, July 6th, things start to clean up. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the SSW (14 seconds) in the morning, and the wind swings to a cross-off NNE breeze at 9 mph. The waves are clean, but with 8ft, this is expert territory. The combined energy is 2938. The afternoon is even better: 7ft, a light offshore from the NNE at 6 mph, and glassy conditions. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers only.

Tuesday, July 7th, morning is a standout. The swell is 7ft from the SW with a 16-second period, the wind is a near-flat calm cross-off from the NE at 3 mph, and it’s clean. The combined energy is 2222. This is the best on offer in the first week – clean, lined-up waves for the crew that can handle it. The afternoon sees a light cross-on breeze from the SE, makin’ it a bit more marginal.

Wednesday, July 8th, is another big day. The swell jumps back to 10ft from the SW (18 seconds in the morning, 17 in the afternoon), with a combined energy over 6000. The morning is clean with a cross-off NNE breeze, but again, 10ft is too big for this break. The afternoon is glassy, but still too big.

Thursday, July 9th, is a beauty. The morning has a 7ft SW swell (15 seconds), a light offshore from the NNW at 6 mph, and clean conditions. The afternoon is even better – glassy, with the wind droppin’ to 0 mph, and a 7ft SW swell. The combined energy is 1851. This is excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers.

Friday, July 10th, morning is another highlight. The swell is 8ft from the SW (16 seconds), the wind is a clean offshore from the NNE at 9 mph, and the combined energy is 3053. It’s clean and powerful – again, for the experts. The afternoon is a touch smaller at 8ft but still clean.

After that, the forecast gets a bit more mixed. Saturday, July 11th, sees the swell drop to 6ft, but with a strong offshore wind from the N at 19 mph, the conditions are clean but maybe a bit blown out. The combined energy is 1179. Sunday, July 12th, is a write-off with strong cross-on winds and rain.

The second week, from Monday, July 13th, through to Thursday, July 16th, is dominated by big, messy swell with cross-on winds and poor conditions. The swell is often over 10ft, and the wind is from the SW or SSE, makin’ it choppy and ugly. Not worth a look.

Friday, July 17th, morning brings a clean, glassy 8ft SW swell (13 seconds) with a combined energy of 1877 – excellent for experienced surfers. Saturday, July 18th, morning has a 8ft SW swell (12 seconds) with a clean offshore from the NNW at 9 mph. The rest of the second week is small, with the swell droppin’ to 6ft and 5ft, but the winds pick up from the NNW and NW, makin’ it clean but a bit weak.

The standout sessions are Monday, July 6th afternoon, Tuesday, July 7th morning, and Thursday, July 9th afternoon. These are the windows where the wind is light, offshore, or glassy, and the swell is manageable for the experienced crew. The combined energy is moderate to strong, and the waves will be clean and lined up. The Cutting is a consistent spot, so there’s always somethin’, but these days are the real gems.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Sat
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
4
4
4
4
2
4
!
!
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5
SSW
16
5
SSW
17
4.5
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
14
2.2
SSW
14
1.8
SSW
13
2.1
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
3
SW
18
3
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
2
SW
15
2.4
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.3
SW
15
2.2
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
3
WSW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
11644
13664
9482
5884
2887
1949
1110
2201
2157
2404
5111
5877
3415
1941
1647
2985
2633
2326
1977
1197
1993
Wind (km/h)
20
S
15
ESE
20
ESE
15
ENE
15
NNE
10
NNE
10
NNE
5
NE
10
SE
10
NE
10
NE
5
ENE
10
NNE
10
N
5
NNE
10
NNE
10
N
15
NNW
20
N
35
N
35
WSW
Wind State
on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross
High Tide
2:15AM0.53m
3:27PM0.89m
3:00AM0.54m
3:43PM0.83m
3:48AM0.56m
3:50PM0.75m
4:46AM0.58m
3:39PM0.69m
6:13AM0.60m
2:55PM0.66m
1:17PM0.71m
12:30PM0.82m
Low Tide
8:13AM0.17m
10:10PM0.35m
8:44AM0.24m
10:26PM0.33m
9:13AM0.33m
10:39PM0.30m
9:39AM0.44m
10:50PM0.26m
9:49AM0.56m
11:02PM0.21m
11:24PM0.16m
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:47
7:47
7:47
7:46
7:46
7:46
7:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:23
 mm
5
7
Temp °C
12
12
12
10
12
13
12
11
12
11
11
13
10
11
12
11
12
13
9
11
10
Feels °C
7
7
7
6
7
10
9
9
9
8
8
11
7
9
10
8
8
10
4
4
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5
SSW
16
5
SSW
17
4.5
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
14
2.2
SSW
14
1.8
SSW
13
2.1
SW
16
2.1
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
3
SW
18
3
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
2
SW
15
2.4
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.3
SW
15
2.2
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.9
SW
12
Energy kJ
11644
13664
9482
5884
2887
1949
1110
2201
2157
2404
5111
5877
3415
1941
1647
2985
2633
2326
1977
1197
1083
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
E
6
0.5
ESE
6
0.8
SSW
18
0.7
S
9
0.6
S
9
0.5
SSW
22
1.5
SW
14
Energy kJ
40
22
427
85
52
283
902
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SW
18
0.4
SSE
8
Energy kJ
396
26
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
ESE
5
0.6
NW
4
1.2
NW
5
1.8
WNW
8
3
WSW
10
Energy kJ
36
12
62
418
1993
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
8
9
3
6
4
4
4
4
4
4
7
7
5
4
4
5
5
4
4
2
Distance (km)
145
280
280
331
35
0
0
0
0
94
0
17
94
0
0
0
0
0
2
17
120
Best forecast wave conditions in Far West of Victoria
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
7
5
4
4
5
5
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
8
9
9
6
4
4
8
7
4
5
9
8
5
4
4
5
5
4
4
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
6
5
6
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
7
5
4
8
4
  • 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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