Surf Forecasts:
The Cutting surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 15,741 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 18s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 2.2m and 13s. 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 6.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 20ft (6.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cutting over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, Rusty here, let's break down what The Cutting is serving up.
We're starting straight away this Friday the 28th of August with a massive pulse of swell. It's a solid 10ft SW groundswell with a very long 17 second period. The energy reading is a strong 5786, but the problem is it's predicted to be too big for this break. The morning wind is cross-off, so it looks clean, but it's a beast that's just too much for a paddle. That theme runs right through the weekend and into Monday the 31st.
Honestly, the whole first week is stuck in the same cycle: relentless, oversized surf. Monday afternoon the 31st looks picture-perfect with glassy conditions and an 12ft SW swell, but again, it's way too big. This is strictly for the brave, and with that long-period groundswell, it might just close out on a beach break anyway.
Things drop a little into the second week. By Wednesday the 9th of September, we finally see a window. The morning is still rough, but Wednesday afternoon shows a 6ft SW swell with a 14 second period and a moderate offshore breeze from the NNW. The conditions are called excellent for experienced surfers. The energy is moderate (1616). That afternoon is the true standout moment of the whole 16 days – the only time the swell dips below 7ft with a clean offshore wind.
After that, it's back to big water. The swell pumps up to over 16ft by Friday the 11th of September, and while the winds are good, it's just a wall of ocean. The 11th of September afternoon has a 16ft swell with a 19 second period, which is insane energy, but unsurfable. The morning of the 12th is the last record, with 16ft and a clean offshore, but again, it's just too much.
So here's the truth: this is a heavy-water forecast. The one, true rideable session is the afternoon of Wednesday, the 9th of September. Circle that one, because the rest is either too big or too messy for most of us.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1710 | 5786 | 4762 | 3650 | 2509 | 1892 | 1952 | 2239 | 2561 | 3264 | 3813 | 6702 | 4645 | 3283 | 2449 | 2873 | 4607 | 5036 | 3629 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 1:57PM0.72m | 3:15AM0.85m | ||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:36AM0.34m | 8:23PM0.07m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |
 | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 1710 | 5786 | 4762 | 3650 | 2509 | 1892 | 1952 | 2239 | 2561 | 3264 | 3813 | 6702 | 4645 | 3283 | 2449 | 2873 | 4607 | 5036 | 3629 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | — | S 10 | — | — | SW 23 | SW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1606 | — | 8 | — | — | 21 | 118 | 339 | 256 | — | 872 | 2888 | — | — | — | 154 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | W 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 10 | — | — | 261 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 35 | 76 | 24 | 4 | 76 | 4 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 24 | 17 | 120 | 121 | 4 | 76 | 145 | 80 |
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
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