The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 27 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 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: Thursday 3 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 9,750 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Thu 27th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Fri 28th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 3rd Sep)16ft (5.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what The Cutting is serving up.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards, but the story changes fast. The early action starts off clean and inviting, but then the ocean goes into beast mode for a long stretch, and it’s only right at the tail end of the outlook that things settle back into something manageable for most of us.

Thursday morning kicks it off with a sweet 3ft groundswell from the SW, with a long 15-second period. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The wind is blowing offshore from the NNW at 9 mph, leaving the surface glassy and clean. Energy is moderate (662). This is the sort of session where you get long, grunty lines without the crowd chaos – absolutely perfect.

By Thursday afternoon, the swell jumps to 6ft and the wind shifts cross-shore. It’ll still have some push, but it’s not as clean.

Friday morning things get serious. The swell hits 10ft from the SW with a 17-second period. Combined energy is strong (5786). It’s a clean cross-shore wind, but honestly, this is getting into expert territory. Beginners should sit this one out. The same goes for Friday afternoon – 10ft, clean-ish, but big.

From Saturday the 29th right through to Monday the 7th of September, the swell stays over 8ft, often pushing 12ft, 13ft, even 20ft. The combined energy is off the charts (peak at 24192). Winds are mostly offshore or cross-off, so it’s clean, but these are serious, powerful waves. Only the best-equipped, most experienced surfers should even consider paddling out. For everyone else, it’s a spectator sport. The Cutting is a reef setup, so that long-period groundswell is going to bend and jack, making it hollow and demanding.

After that monster stretch, Thursday the 10th of September morning brings a welcome reprieve. Swell drops to 8ft from the SW, with a 12-second period. Combined energy is moderate (2121). Wind is offshore from the NNE at 9 mph – clean as a whistle. This is the standout session for experienced surfers who are still hungry after the big stuff. The sets will have plenty of power without trying to kill you.

Then Friday the 11th of September offers the true highlight of the whole outlook. Morning brings 7ft of SW groundswell with a 14-second period. The wind is a solid offshore from the NNE at 16 mph. Clean, powerful, and manageable. This is the day to circle on your calendar – that sweet spot where size, period, and wind line up for a memorable session. The afternoon holds similar, just a touch smaller.

So, to nail it down: the real gems are the first Thursday morning for the small-wave crew and Friday the 11th for that perfect, clean, solid swell. The rest of the window is either too small, too big, or just okay.

Stay safe in the water, and remember – sometimes the best surf is the one you walk away from.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the NW by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
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
5
!
!
!
3
1
3
3
!
!
!
!
!
3
1
!
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SW
15
1.7
SW
13
1.6
SW
18
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
3
SW
13
3
SW
15
3
SW
14
3.5
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
16
2.3
SW
15
3
SW
14
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
255
969
1710
5786
4762
3650
2509
2006
1834
2170
2483
4471
3659
6702
4645
3439
2326
4168
5158
5247
4332
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
10
W
15
NW
15
WNW
15
SSW
10
WSW
15
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
15
WSW
20
WSW
10
WNW
10
NW
5
WNW
20
N
40
NNW
45
NW
25
W
20
WNW
25
W
20
NW
Wind State
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:09PM0.92m
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
8:04PM0.35m
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
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:02
6:04
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
13
14
11
13
12
10
11
11
11
12
12
11
14
16
14
18
19
12
12
12
11
Feels °C
10
11
8
10
9
8
7
7
8
9
8
9
11
14
11
9
10
5
6
7
6
  • 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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