The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 18 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 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 6,637 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period with W 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 20) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 13s. 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 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Thu 20th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 11s
Best Surf 4PM (Fri 21st Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 22nd Aug)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s heading our way. It’s a long-range look, and we’ve got a solid run of swell on the horizon, but we’re gonna have to be smart about when and where we paddle out. The bulk of the action is at The Cutting, a consistent intermediate-level break that’s exposed to the south. Water temps are sitting at 57°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, no real shock to the system there.

We start off slow, real slow. The first few days are basically a write-off. Tuesday the 18th has some waist-to-chest high 6ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period, but a fresh NNE breeze kicking up 19 mph cross-off makes it a messy, marginal call. The wave energy is chunky though, with a combined energy of 2321, but the conditions just aren't doing it any favors. Wednesday the 19th is even worse; a strong 25 mph offshore wind makes things clean but a nightmare to paddle into on the smaller 4ft swell.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are better, but still just average. Swell bumps up to 4ft and then 8ft with moderate cross-off breezes. Friday afternoon is the first glimmer, with a 6 out of 10 rating on the quiet. The 8ft WSW swell (14-second period) combines for a hefty energy of 6505, and the WNW wind is light. It’s clean, but still not the standout.

Now, here’s where it gets heavy. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd, the swell explodes. We’re looking at 10ft to 12ft SW groundswells with energy readings in the thousands (6758 and up). This is expert territory. For the average surfer, it’s just going to be too much water moving. The winds are moderate cross or cross-off, keeping it fairly clean, but the sheer size and power narrows the crew considerably.

The rest of the following week stays in that 7ft to 8ft range, but the winds get squirrely, with rain showers and strong onshores making a mess of things by the 27th and 28th. That’s windy, blown-out territory that’s not worth the effort.

If I had to pick my one true standout, it’s the very end of the forecast. Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September are the ones to circle on the calendar. Monday afternoon delivers a beautiful 8ft SW groundswell with a long 17-second period, a gentle 9 mph offshore N wind making it glassy, and a combined energy of 3094. The waves will have real punch and shape. Tuesday the 1st looks even cleaner in the afternoon, with a 8ft SW swell (14s period) and dead calm, glassy conditions. That’s the kind of session you remember. It’ll be a bit of a paddle with that long period, but the payoff will be worth it for the experienced crew.

So, bottom line: the first few days are a bust. A solid, powerful run from the 22nd to the 25th is for experts only. The real sweet spot to aim for is the very end of the run, from the 31st of August into the 1st of September. Be patient and you’ll be rewarded.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Tue night, light winds from the NW by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
2
3
4
3
4
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
2
!
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
SW
15
1.2
SW
15
1.2
SW
15
1.1
SW
14
1.9
W
9
1.6
W
11
2.2
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
894
631
649
514
627
617
2510
3072
3111
6158
6461
5089
4951
3773
4748
2863
2471
3076
2305
Wind (km/h)
35
NNE
35
N
30
NW
25
NW
20
NNW
15
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
25
W
20
WNW
20
W
25
W
20
WNW
20
NW
10
NW
20
NNW
25
NW
15
SW
20
S
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
High Tide
3:29AM0.79m
2:26PM0.77m
4:06AM0.76m
2:29PM0.75m
4:46AM0.71m
2:22PM0.74m
5:45AM0.64m
1:57PM0.74m
1:16PM0.77m
12:51PM0.82m
Low Tide
9:00AM0.40m
9:12PM0.06m
9:18AM0.48m
9:33PM0.07m
9:23AM0.55m
9:53PM0.11m
8:47AM0.61m
10:11PM0.16m
10:26PM0.21m
10:23PM0.27m
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:58
5:59
6:00
 mm
4
3
1
2
1
5
4
Temp °C
14
14
16
13
13
14
11
13
14
12
12
13
12
13
15
12
15
11
11
Feels °C
8
9
11
7
8
11
7
8
9
8
8
8
8
9
12
8
9
8
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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