The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 05 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.0°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 5 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with 24,155 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 3.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s is also forecast. 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 6.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 6th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 6th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)21ft (6.5m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet and miles.

Let’s talk about The Cutting. This spot faces south, so it’s a magnet for any solid SW groundswell, but the problem over the next couple of weeks is that it’s going to get hammered. For the first few days, we’re looking at swell heights from 11 to 18 feet, with wave energy readings in the thousands and tens of thousands. That’s a ton of power. Winds are mostly cross or cross-onshore, making for lumpy, choppy conditions. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are no-go for a normal paddle. Water temp is about average for the time of year.

The first real standout is Tuesday morning, the 8th of September. Swell drops to about 7 feet out of the SW with a long 18-second period, and a gentle WNW cross-offshore breeze. That’s clean. The combined energy is 4067—strong but workable. This is for experienced surfers. Crowds are possible. The long period means the sets will be well-spaced and the waves will have proper shape. This is your best bet in the first week.

After that, it gets big again. Wednesday the 9th through the 11th is all massive swell and onshore wind. You’d be crazy to paddle out. Then Saturday the 12th cleans up with offshore wind, but the swell is still 10 to 11 feet—still too big for most. That’s more of a kiteboarding setup than a surfing one.

The second week settles down a bit. Monday the 14th morning brings a smaller 5-foot SW swell with a 13-second period and light offshore NNW wind. Combined energy is 759—weak but clean. It’s the most manageable wave in the whole run. After that, it gets messy again through the 15th and 16th. Thursday the 17th morning has a 10-foot SW swell with cross-off wind at 15 mph, but that’s still big and the wind is fresh.

The very end of the run, around the 20th and 21st, sees another massive pulse of 13 to 20-foot SW swell with very long periods (16–22 seconds) and strong cross-offshore winds at 25 mph. Too big for The Cutting, and the wind will be howling. Another one for the kite crew.

Bottom line: if you’re experienced, Tuesday the 8th morning is your session. For everyone else, Monday the 14th morning is the one to watch. The rest is either too big, too windy, or both.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Mon night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue night, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Tue night, light winds from the SW by Thu night).

Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
1
0
1
5
5
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)
4
SW
13
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
1.6
SW
12
2.3
SW
8
2.3
SW
12
2
SW
18
3
SW
17
4
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
5.5
SSW
18
6.5
SSW
18
5.5
SSW
17
5
SSW
16
4
SSW
15
3.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
15
4
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5584
4626
3318
1794
754
737
1519
2402
4834
8434
9663
19682
24155
17737
11992
7332
4955
5270
6970
Wind (km/h)
30
WSW
20
W
20
WSW
15
WSW
25
S
20
S
0
SSE
15
WNW
25
WSW
35
S
30
SSW
30
SW
20
SW
20
SW
20
SW
10
SW
15
SW
10
S
10
NE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
High Tide
5:49AM0.67m
1:10PM0.82m
1:00PM0.86m
12:55PM0.88m
12:53PM0.88m
11:50PM0.40m
12:54PM0.86m
00:05AM0.53m
12:56PM0.82m
00:33AM0.67m
Low Tide
7:33AM0.67m
9:41PM0.06m
10:05PM0.15m
10:14PM0.26m
8:56PM0.37m
5:13AM0.24m
7:39PM0.40m
6:00AM0.21m
7:09PM0.34m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:46
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
 mm
1
1
Temp °C
12
13
12
12
12
11
9
11
11
11
11
11
10
11
11
10
10
10
9
Feels °C
5
9
8
8
7
6
6
7
6
5
4
4
5
8
7
7
7
7
7
  • 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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