The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
13.9° C
0.2° 

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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 11,465 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Tue 11th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 14s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 12th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 4AM (Fri 14th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into the outlook for The Cutting. This is a solid, exposed S-facing spot that knows how to handle a south swell, and we’ve got a real mixed bag of a forecast coming up.

The next few days are no joke – there’s a proper pulse of south-west groundswell rolling in. Tuesday the 11th is the only real window for the average punter, with a clean 8ft SW swell (combined energy of 3003) and NNW offshore winds. That’s excellent, experienced-surfer territory. The water is sitting at 57°F, which is bang on normal for this time of year. By Wednesday and Thursday the 12th and 13th, the swell jumps to a massive 13ft to 15ft, with a very long period of 16-17 seconds. That’s pure grunt, but it’s way too big for this break – that’s expert-only, and even then, the cross-shore winds will be making it lumpy. The energy is insane, hitting 18411 on Wednesday afternoon, but it’s just too much for a good session.

We then enter a long stretch of "too big" or poor conditions. Friday the 14th through Sunday the 16th keeps the swell well over 8ft with cross-onshore or onshore winds. Not a good look for the paddle crew. If you’re into kiting, the setup from Friday to Saturday with the onshore wind and big swell might be more your thing.

The light starts to show on Sunday the 16th morning, with the swell dropping to 10ft, but it’s the quality of the wind that changes. A proper NNE cross-offshore breeze at 6 mph cleans it right up. Still big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, that’s a window. The best on offer, though, is the run from Tuesday the 19th through to Saturday the 23rd. You’ll see a sweet spot of 4ft to 8ft SW groundswell, mostly with offshore or light cross-off winds from the north. The standout is Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st. Thursday morning has 4ft SW swell (combined energy of 678), glassy offshore N wind at 6 mph, and it’s clean as a whistle. Friday the 21st has a punchier 8ft SW swell (2453 energy) with a gentle offshore breeze. The Cutting will be running clean, and the consistency is there. Expect some company though – this spot can get busy.

The final few days of the forecast, from the 24th onward, drop off hard. The swell gets small and the wind picks up strong, especially the 25th when it’s howling 28 mph from the NW. Then on the 26th, the swell comes roaring back to 15ft, but it’s a short-period WSW windswell – too big and messy for this spot.

So, for the best sessions, mark your calendar: Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are the pick of the bunch. Clean, manageable swell, and that classic offshore flow. The earlier windows on Tuesday the 11th and Sunday the 16th are decent for the experienced crew, but the real magic is in that second week.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
3
!
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
4
4
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
2.5
SW
16
4
SW
16
4
SW
17
4.5
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
4.5
SW
15
4.5
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
4
SW
16
4
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.3
SW
14
2.3
SW
16
2.4
SW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2903
2350
3343
7329
9815
10534
10749
8710
10311
9686
8112
7092
5912
5316
4024
3216
2862
2356
1857
2601
2550
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
30
NNW
30
NNW
30
W
30
W
20
WSW
25
WSW
25
W
20
W
20
WSW
20
SW
15
SSW
15
S
15
SSW
15
ESE
10
NNE
10
SE
10
ENE
15
NE
10
ESE
15
NE
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:19PM0.97m
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
Low Tide
4:13AM0.16m
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
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:15
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
 mm
3
2
1
Temp °C
13
13
11
12
12
11
13
14
13
12
12
12
12
12
13
14
13
13
14
16
15
Feels °C
7
7
5
5
5
6
8
9
8
7
8
8
8
8
9
12
10
10
11
13
11
  • 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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