The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.1°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 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with 20,073 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 4.0m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 22s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 5.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 9th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 16s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 9th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 16s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 9th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for The Cutting over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we've got some serious juice rolling in. This isn't your average run-of-the-mill stuff; we're talking about a proper, long-period groundswell from the SSW that's got some serious muscle behind it. The wave energy is absolutely pumping, reading at a massive 20073, which is into the very strong category. This is big ocean energy, folks.

The problem is, it's *too much* of a good thing for a while. Starting Wednesday the 9th, we're looking at a solid 18ft of SSW swell with a 19-second period. That is a colossal, long-period groundswell. For The Cutting, an exposed break, anything over 8ft is expert-only territory, and this is way beyond that. The wind is on it from the SSW at 19 mph, adding to the chaos. It's going to be a washing machine. Honestly, the first few days are a no-go for paddling; this setup looks way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

That big energy continues through Thursday the 10th and into Friday the 11th. Even though we get a moment of complete glass on Friday morning, with zero wind, the swell is still a solid 11ft from the SW with a 14-second period. It's still too big and powerful for a comfortable session at this spot.

The first real chance of something rideable comes on Sunday the 13th. The swell finally drops to a more manageable 7ft from the SW, still with a lovely 15-second period. The wind swings to a clean offshore from the N at 16 mph. This is what we've been waiting for. It's still a big day, pushing the limit for intermediates, but the conditions will be clean and lined-up. The wave energy is still moderate at 2168, so there's plenty of push. This Sunday morning is the standout of the whole forecast period.

Sunday afternoon gets a little dicey with stronger cross-offshore wind, and then Monday the 14th is a complete write-off with fresh cross-shore winds and poor conditions.

Then, just when you think you've got a window, another massive pulse hits on Tuesday the 15th. We're back to 13ft of SW swell with a 13-second period. The wave energy jumps back up to 6122. It's too big again. This pattern of monster swells continues right through until the end of the forecast window on the 24th of September.

We do get a slight reprieve on Friday the 18th, with the swell dropping to 8ft from the SW. The wind is a clean offshore from the NNW at 16-19 mph, making for some clean faces. It's marginal, and the wave energy is moderate at around 2400, but for the expert crew, it's a far better option than the 13ft+ days. Saturday the 19th is another pulse of 15ft swell that's just too big for a safe paddle.

So, to wrap it up: the entire 16-day window is dominated by a series of powerful, long-period SW swells. The only true standout for a proper paddle session is Sunday morning the 13th of September. It's the only day where the size drops enough to be manageable, and you've got clean offshore wind. After that, it's a constant cycle of too-big swell and onshore or strong cross-shore winds. If you're an experienced charger, Friday the 18th might offer a brief, cleaner window in the 8ft range, but it's a gamble with the wind.

Stay safe out there, and don't get caught inside on those big sets.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
5
3
2
4
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SW
16
5.5
SSW
19
5.5
SSW
17
5.5
SSW
17
5
SSW
16
4.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SSW
16
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
15
2.2
SW
15
2
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
2.5
SW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
7225
20073
17554
18475
12401
9048
5682
4720
6524
6863
4811
3926
3204
2168
1776
1344
711
480
1212
Wind (km/h)
35
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
5
SSE
0
E
10
SSE
10
NE
10
NNW
10
NW
15
N
25
N
30
NNW
15
NW
30
W
30
WSW
15
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
12:53PM0.88m
11:50PM0.40m
12:54PM0.86m
00:05AM0.53m
12:56PM0.82m
00:33AM0.67m
1:01PM0.79m
1:03AM0.78m
1:07PM0.77m
1:33AM0.86m
1:16PM0.75m
2:02AM0.90m
Low Tide
10:14PM0.26m
8:56PM0.37m
5:13AM0.24m
7:39PM0.40m
6:00AM0.21m
7:09PM0.34m
6:37AM0.20m
7:04PM0.26m
7:08AM0.22m
7:12PM0.17m
7:37AM0.25m
7:26PM0.09m
rain showers
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
 mm
1
Temp °C
11
11
11
10
11
11
10
13
14
12
18
19
17
20
23
17
15
14
11
Feels °C
5
3
5
5
7
7
8
10
11
8
16
17
14
14
18
16
10
8
7
  • 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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