The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
13.9° C
0.3° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 13,104 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 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 (Aug 12) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Wed 12th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Best Surf 1PM (Wed 12th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Thu 13th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about The Cutting.

First thing you need to know – there’s a heap of ocean energy hitting us early on, but it’s way out of the comfort zone for a paddle. From Wednesday morning the 12th right through to Sunday the 16th, we’ve got a massive SW groundswell running 13 to 16 feet, with periods between 14 and 17 seconds. The combined wave energy is huge – starting around 7911 and up over 19714. Winds are cross or cross-on, blowing 12 to 22 mph, and the water’s a chunky, lumpy mess. That’s not a surf window – that’s a kite-surfing spectacle. So we wait.

The first real chance to get wet comes Monday the 17th morning. Swell drops to a much friendlier 8 feet out of the SW, with a long 16-second period. The wind switches to ENE at 9 mph, light and cross-off, and the water is clean. The wave comment calls it excellent for experienced surfers. Energy is 2709 – solid but not out of control. Water temp is 57°F, which is pretty average for mid-August. This is the standout session of the whole forecast.

Tuesday the 18th morning is also prime. Swell is 6 to 6 feet, period still 14-16 seconds, and the wind goes full offshore from the NNE at 19 mph. It’s fresh but clean – smooth lines, no chop. Energy is 1667-2162. Crowds can show up sometimes, so get there early. Great for intermediate to experienced folks.

Wednesday the 19th morning sees the swell drop to only 4 feet, but it’s still a clean 15-second period SW groundswell with a 16 mph offshore from the NNW. Energy is low at 608, but it’s clean and might give you a few fun little runners.

Thursday the 20th morning is another one to pencil in – 6 feet of SW swell, 14-second period, light offshore breeze from the north at 6 mph. Glassy, clean, and the comment says excellent for experienced surfers. Energy is 1167.

From the 22nd onward, the swell stays around 7 feet but the wind gets cross-on and choppy, so the quality goes downhill. The 23rd is a write-off with poor conditions. The 24th Monday brings a 12-foot pulse from the WSW with only an 11-second period – energy over 4000 – but it’s too big for The Cutting, even with light wind. The 25th Tuesday is even bigger at 13-15 feet, with strong offshore wind – clean but expert-only, with energy screaming over 7700.

The final day that catches my eye is the 27th Thursday – 10 feet of WSW swell, 16-second period, and a crisp cross-off from the NNW at 19 mph. Clean again, but still on the big side for this spot.

Best bet? Monday the 17th morning. Tuesday the 18th morning is a close second. Everything else is either too small or too big. Stay sharp.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the S by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
1
4
4
2
4
3
3
3
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
4.5
SW
17
4.5
SW
16
5
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
5
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
4
SW
15
4
SW
15
4
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.2
SW
15
1.9
SW
14
1.8
SW
16
1.5
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
7911
10483
10700
11713
10298
11474
8937
8152
8208
6251
5246
3619
3067
2686
2256
2567
3182
2010
1423
1654
1041
Wind (km/h)
30
W
35
WSW
25
W
25
W
25
W
20
WNW
20
WSW
15
SW
10
S
10
SSW
10
SSE
15
SE
10
SE
20
SE
10
ENE
15
ENE
15
ESE
20
NE
30
NNE
30
NNE
25
NNE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
1:29PM0.97m
1:37PM0.94m
00:01AM0.50m
1:44PM0.91m
00:52AM0.62m
1:51PM0.87m
1:35AM0.71m
2:00PM0.84m
2:15AM0.77m
2:09PM0.81m
2:53AM0.80m
2:19PM0.79m
3:29AM0.79m
Low Tide
5:32AM0.12m
8:37PM0.44m
6:22AM0.11m
8:06PM0.39m
7:02AM0.13m
8:03PM0.30m
7:37AM0.18m
8:13PM0.20m
8:09AM0.24m
8:30PM0.13m
8:36AM0.32m
8:51PM0.08m
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
12
13
12
14
14
13
13
12
12
12
13
13
14
13
13
15
15
15
14
16
13
Feels °C
5
6
6
8
9
9
9
8
8
8
9
10
11
9
9
13
11
11
8
11
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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