The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 12 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.6° C
0.6° 

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 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 23ft (7.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 23,634 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s 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 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 5.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 18s is also forecast. 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 7.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 13th Jul)20ft (6.0m) 14s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 13th Jul)20ft (6.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Mon 13th Jul)23ft (7.0m) 16s

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


Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down what’s happening at The Cutting in feet and fahrenheit.

Water temp is sitting at 58°, which is normal for the time of year.

We start on Sunday the 12th and it's a whole lot of chaos. A 18-foot WSW swell, 13-second period, but getting hammered by a 28 mph west wind. It's a total cross-shore mess. This carries into Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th. The swell is enormous—21 feet on Monday with a very long 15 to 16-second period. The wind is cross-offshore and the energy is massive (37,175 and 43,112), but the wave size is just too big for this break. The 16-foot swell on Tuesday is still too much.

We get a break by Wednesday the 15th morning, dropping to an 11-foot SW swell (14-second period). The energy is still strong (5,377), but there's a moderate cross-shore wind. It's lumpy but experts will be looking. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th see the swell drop to 10 feet. Friday afternoon is the first real treat: a 10-foot SW swell, 15-second period, with glassy conditions. That's quality, but it's still a big wave.

The standout is Saturday the 18th. The morning session is a dream. A 8-foot SW swell, 13-second period, with a gentle offshore breeze from the north. Energy is a solid 1,831, and the wave comment is "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers". The afternoon is even smaller at 7 feet, clean with light offshore air. It's the best balance of the whole forecast. Just be aware crowds can show up here sometimes.

Sunday the 19th drops to 5 feet from the WSW, but the wind picks up to 12 mph offshore. It's clean, but the energy is weak (992). The afternoon is a weird one: only 3 feet, but the period jumps to a very long 18 seconds from the SW. That deep-water groundswell will likely be too straight and fat for the beach break.

The second week starts Monday the 20th with a 5-foot SW swell, but the wind is a fresh offshore 19 mph. It's clean but the call is "marginal". The next window is Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd. On the 22nd, an 8-foot SW swell (12-second period) with a light cross-offshore breeze. The 23rd brings a 6-foot SSW swell with glassy conditions in the afternoon. Both are excellent for experienced surfers. Then, Friday the 24th is the big late look. A 5-foot SSW swell with a 19-second period is a monster groundswell, and the morning is offshore clean. The afternoon sees an 8-foot SW swell with a 17-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is huge (4,794) and it's a top score. That's a long-range promise, so keep an eye.

The last days, 25th through 27th, see the size jump back to 11 to 14 feet, which is just too big for this spot again, with a strengthening cross-offshore wind. A kite-surfing setup then.

My pick for the best session in the whole 16 days is Saturday the 18th of July, morning session. The 8-foot SW swell, clean offshore wind, and that perfect energy make it the standout. For the second week, the Friday the 24th of July with that glassy afternoon and an 8-foot SW groundswell is the one to watch, but it's a long way off.

Rusty, out.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun afternoon, light winds from the W by Tue night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
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!
!
!
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!
!
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4
4
4
3
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)
5.5
WSW
13
6
WSW
14
6.5
WSW
15
7
WSW
16
6
SW
16
5
SW
16
5
SW
15
4.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
15
3
SW
15
3.5
SW
16
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2
SW
13
1.6
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
9263
13223
20405
23634
17458
12554
11034
7721
5377
4309
3725
4065
4454
4462
5284
4301
2763
1831
1346
848
598
Wind (km/h)
45
W
35
WNW
40
NW
45
WNW
30
W
30
W
35
WSW
15
W
20
W
15
WSW
10
WNW
10
NNW
10
WSW
10
N
10
NNW
5
W
10
N
15
N
10
N
15
NNE
20
N
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
off
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
1:09PM0.98m
1:33PM1.01m
1:54PM1.01m
2:11PM0.98m
11:46PM0.51m
2:25PM0.94m
1:05AM0.58m
2:38PM0.89m
2:04AM0.64m
Low Tide
1:32AM0.10m
3:28AM0.08m
4:53AM0.04m
5:55AM0.03m
9:20PM0.49m
6:46AM0.04m
8:53PM0.44m
7:29AM0.09m
8:57PM0.35m
8:08AM0.17m
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
5:30
 mm
2
5
1
2
1
Temp °C
13
13
14
13
12
14
14
12
12
14
13
13
14
13
11
12
11
13
14
12
14
Feels °C
4
5
5
4
6
8
8
8
9
11
10
10
12
11
9
11
9
10
11
9
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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