The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.5° C
0.5° 

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: Wednesday 22 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 11,915 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. 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 1PM. 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 8s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sun 19th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf10PM (Wed 22nd Jul)13ft (4.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 24th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break this down in feet and miles per hour for the mainland crew.

We’re looking at The Cutting over the next couple of weeks. Sunday the 19th is the first day with any surf to talk about. We’ve got a 5ft swell out of the WSW, with a 12-second period giving it some push. The wind is light offshore, so it’ll be glassy clean. Water temp is 58°F, about average for the time of year. The wave energy is moderate, reading 971. It’s consistent and clean, a nice start to the week. Sunday afternoon stays clean with the wind offshore, a little smaller at 4ft.

Monday the 20th morning, things get going. Swell is 6ft from the WSW with a long 16-second period – that’s groundswell, proper. Energy jumps to 1483. Offshore wind again, clean. This is a standout for intermediates. Monday afternoon is still clean but smaller, with a cross-offshore breeze.

Tuesday the 21st morning is the top pick of the first week. Swell hits 8ft out of the SW, period at 13 seconds, and the combined energy is 2036 – strong. Offshore wind, clean faces. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at this size, it’s too much for beginners. The Cutting loves a SW swell with offshore wind.

Wednesday the 22nd turns. Morning has light rain and cross-offshore wind, swell drops to 5ft. Still rideable but the quality drops. By Wednesday afternoon, a fresh 22 mph cross-onshore wind messes it up with a 10ft swell and an 11-second period – lumpy and a write-off.

From Thursday the 23rd through Saturday the 25th, it’s a no-go. Swell pumps 15ft and even 18ft, with strong cross-onshore winds and energy readings like 7848 and 21947. Way too big and blown out for paddle surfing. This is kite-surf territory.

Sunday the 26th is still messy, waves too big for the best conditions. By Monday the 27th, it cleans up. Morning brings a clean 5ft from the SW with offshore wind, consistent and easy. Monday afternoon picks up to 7ft with a 13-second period and offshore wind – another great session.

Tuesday the 28th morning has 7ft from the SW with a very long 15-second period and strong offshore wind. Energy is 3879, powerful waves. That strong offshore makes paddling tough, so this is for the fit and experienced. Tuesday afternoon is too big and windy.

From Wednesday the 29th to Friday the 31st, it’s a mess of strong winds and huge onshore swell. Nothing good until Sunday the 2nd of August, but that’s small and choppy.

Then Monday the 3rd of August throws in a wildcard. A 7ft SW swell with an 18-second period – very long period groundswell. Energy is massive at 6731. The wind is cross-shore from the ESE, not perfect, but the wave quality will be unreal. This is a standout for the second week, but it’s a long way off, so promising but not locked in. That long period might run a bit straight at The Cutting, but still the best bet after the first week’s clean windows.

My pick is Tuesday the 21st morning – 8ft SW with offshore wind is the best of the first week. Keep an eye on Monday the 3rd of August for a potential long-period bomb.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
1
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)
1.4
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
12
1
SW
17
1.7
WSW
16
1.3
SW
15
2.1
SW
15
2.4
SW
13
2.2
WSW
13
2
WSW
12
1.5
SW
12
3
SW
11
4.5
SW
15
4.5
SW
14
4.5
SW
14
4.5
SW
15
4.5
SW
15
5.5
SW
15
5
SW
14
4.5
SW
13
4
SW
13
3.5
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
573
419
536
1433
757
1860
2036
1673
1177
603
2248
10037
7848
7583
9287
8745
11757
8450
7383
5651
4111
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
15
N
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
25
WNW
35
WSW
35
WSW
40
WSW
40
WSW
30
WSW
35
WNW
40
W
35
W
25
SW
20
WSW
10
WSW
Wind State
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:50PM0.85m
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
9:14PM0.27m
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
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
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
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
 mm
1
6
2
5
1
1
2
5
1
Temp °C
12
13
13
12
14
13
14
14
12
12
11
10
10
11
11
12
13
12
12
12
11
Feels °C
8
9
9
7
11
10
9
10
8
5
3
3
0
2
3
4
5
4
7
7
8
  • 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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