Surf Forecasts:
The Cutting surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, SW swell with 6,948 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 24s. The wind is predicted to be cross-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 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cutting over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got one break on the table for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a wild ride ahead.
The Cutting is all we’ve got, and to be honest, it’s a tricky one. The water is sitting at 57°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The early part of the week is a washout, but things start to shape up from Thursday morning, the 27th of August. We’ve got a clean 3 ft SW groundswell rolling in with a very long period of 15 seconds and a nice cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate (662), but that period is going to create some proper, lined-up waves. It’s a consistent spot, so you'll get plenty of waves, but keep in mind, that long period groundswell can make a beach break shut down a bit. At The Cutting, it should handle it well.
The best of the early run looks like Thursday afternoon, the 27th. The swell picks up to 6 ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the wind goes light and cross. The energy is solid (1489), and the wave state is described as light cross-shore with small ripples. It’s not perfect, but it’s the pick of the bunch for the first week.
Now, hold onto your board. From Friday the 28th through to the 10th of September, this place is going to get hammered. We’re looking at swell heights consistently over 10 ft, often hitting 13 ft, 16 ft, and even 26 ft to 28 ft by the 6th of September. The combined energy jumps into the thousands and tens of thousands, with readings like 5786, 8006, and even 28599. That’s very strong wave energy. This is expert-only territory. The wind is often offshore or cross-offshore, keeping the faces clean, but the sheer size and power will be too much for anyone but the most experienced. The period is long, between 13 and 17 seconds, so these are big, powerful groundswells. For a few days in early September, the wind gets up to 25-40 mph, which will make it a complete mess, more suited for a kiteboarder than a paddle surfer.
The window closes on a high note. Thursday the 10th of September, both morning and afternoon, we’ve got a glassy or clean surf with a 8 ft SW swell (period 14 seconds) and a WNW cross-off wind. The wave energy is still strong (2246), but the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your real standout. If you can wait, hold out for that Thursday. It’s still a big swell for beginners, but for the experienced crew, it’s going to be a classic.
There’s a big gap of no good surf from the 28th of August until the 10th of September, but the 10th is worth the wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1335 | 255 | 969 | 1759 | 5786 | 4762 | 3483 | 2509 | 1919 | 1619 | 1946 | 2405 | 4471 | 3966 | 6948 | 4765 | 3090 | 2233 | 5070 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 1:52PM0.81m | 2:13AM0.81m | 1:57PM0.76m | 2:43AM0.84m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:37AM0.21m | 8:04PM0.35m | 6:13AM0.17m | 7:54PM0.33m | 6:45AM0.15m | 7:52PM0.29m | 7:15AM0.16m | 7:55PM0.24m | 7:44AM0.20m | 8:01PM0.18m | 8:12AM0.26m | 8:11PM0.12m | |||||||
— | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | WSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
1335 | 169 | 969 | 1710 | 5786 | 4762 | 3483 | 2509 | 1919 | 1619 | 1946 | 2405 | 4471 | 3966 | 6948 | 4765 | 3090 | 2233 | 5070 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 24 | SSW 11 | SW 21 | SW 18 | — | S 10 | — | — | SW 23 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | — | — | SSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — |
22 | 222 | 416 | 1759 | — | 18 | — | — | 21 | 180 | 339 | — | — | 1424 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 24 | SW 15 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
22 | 255 | 104 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 87 | 223 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 76 | 76 | 24 | 24 | 76 | 4 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 35 | 674 | 128 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Far West of Victoria | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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











