The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.4° 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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 12,769 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period with WSW 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 (Jul 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. 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 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 20th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 23rd Jul)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful10AM (Fri 24th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, let’s get into it. We’re looking at The Cutting for the next couple of weeks. It’s going to be a wild ride, but we gotta be smart about when to paddle out.

The forecast starts off with a solid pulse of groundswell. Monday the 20th is showing us a clean 6ft swell from the WSW with a very long 16-second period. Combine that with a moderate offshore breeze from the NNW, and you’ve got excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The wave energy is strong at 1487, and the water temp is about average for this time of year. It’s gonna be a good morning, but watch out for the crowds – they can be around here.

Tuesday the 21st steps it up a notch. Morning sees a 8ft swell from the SW, still a long 13-second period, and clean offshore winds. The combined energy jumps to 2176, which is strong. This is expert-level territory, but the setup is excellent for those who can handle it. The afternoon gets a bit messier with cross-off winds, but still clean.

Wednesday the 22nd is where things start to get a little tricky. The morning is still clean with a 5ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-off and the energy drops to 921. By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore and the swell jumps to 10ft from the SW, bringing poor conditions. It’s a write-off for the paddle crew.

Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are for the big boys – or the kite surfers. The swell is massive, 15ft to 18ft, with violent energy readings in the thousands to tens of thousands, but the wind is howling onshore or cross-shore. It’s messy, lumpy, and dangerous. This is not a paddle session. If you’ve got a kite, this might be your playground.

The weekend of the 26th and 27th brings a much-needed reset. Sunday the 26th morning is clear with a WNW cross-off breeze and a 8ft SW swell. It’s clean but the energy is moderate at 1616. Monday the 27th is a standout: a clear morning, a gentle offshore from the N, and a 8ft SW swell with a 13-second period. The energy is solid at 1757, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers.

The following week is a mixed bag. Tuesday the 28th has a fresh offshore wind and a 8ft swell with a very long 16-second period, but the energy is strong at 3411. It’s promising but a bit raw. Wednesday the 29th sees another oversized swell (12ft) with fresh offshore winds, but the wave energy is 5087 – it’s too big for comfort.

Finally, we’ve got a little gem to close out the forecast. Sunday the 2nd of August is looking glassy. A 6ft swell from the SSW with a very long 16-second period, and the wind is a perfect glassy offshore. The energy is 2513, strong but not overwhelming. It’s clean, it’s gorgeous, and for an experienced surfer, this is the best on offer in the whole window. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th keep that clean, moderate energy going with good offshore winds.

So, the best of the bunch? Monday the 20th for a solid, clean start and that Sunday the 2nd of August for a glassy standout. The Cutting is a reef setup, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely and give you some proper lines. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Fri afternoon, moderate winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
2
0
!
0
0
!
!
!
0
0
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SW
17
1.7
WSW
16
1.6
WSW
15
2.1
SW
15
2.5
SW
13
2.2
WSW
13
2.1
WSW
12
1.6
SW
12
3
SW
11
4
SW
14
4.5
SW
14
4.5
SW
14
4.5
SW
15
5
SW
16
5.5
SW
14
5
SW
14
4.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
13
3
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
536
1433
1087
1860
2176
1673
1217
678
2505
6588
7975
7739
9867
12769
11775
9638
6417
4586
2627
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
25
NW
25
SW
30
WSW
30
WSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
40
W
40
W
35
WSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:58AM0.67m
3:02PM0.81m
3:51AM0.68m
3:10PM0.78m
4:45AM0.67m
3:13PM0.75m
5:51AM0.65m
3:03PM0.72m
2:20PM0.72m
1:03PM0.76m
Low Tide
8:43AM0.27m
9:37PM0.19m
9:14AM0.38m
10:02PM0.15m
9:39AM0.48m
10:29PM0.14m
9:53AM0.57m
10:56PM0.15m
11:26PM0.17m
00:07AM0.21m
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
 mm
4
2
4
2
1
2
2
2
3
Temp °C
12
12
13
12
13
14
12
11
11
10
10
11
11
12
13
13
13
13
13
Feels °C
8
7
9
8
9
10
8
6
5
2
2
1
2
3
6
6
8
7
9
  • 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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