Surf Forecasts:
The Cutting surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 6,711 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 20s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 7PM. 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 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cutting over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The forecast for The Cutting starts off a bit average but builds into something pretty special—if you’re experienced and ready for some big stuff. The water temp is sitting around 57.2°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Wednesday the 19th afternoon has some 3.9ft groundswell from the SW with a long 15-second period, but winds are a bit fresh from the NNW. It’s clean enough but the combined energy is only 638, so it’s weak. Marginal.
Thursday the 20th morning sees a jump: 6.2ft from the WSW, period 13 seconds, and a moderate cross-off breeze. The energy hits 2930, which is solid. Afternoon drops back to 4.3ft and 1400 energy. Still clean but not epic.
Friday the 21st is where it gets real. Morning: 9.8ft SW groundswell, 15-second period, offshore NW wind. Clean. 4007 energy. This is big. Afternoon holds at 9.8ft but goes cross with 7543 energy. Both sessions are for strong intermediates and above—this is too much for beginners.
Saturday the 22nd stays heavy: 11.5ft both morning and afternoon, SW groundswell, long periods of 16 and 15 seconds, cross winds but manageable. Energy is 6432 and 5601. Expert territory only.
Sunday the 23rd morning keeps 9.8ft with cross-off NW winds, clean, 4568 energy. Afternoon drops to 8.2ft, glassy cross-off WNW wind at 6 mph, and 3438 energy. This afternoon window is the standout for experienced surfers: clean conditions, solid swell, and not as oversized. This is your call if you can handle it.
Monday the 24th morning is 7.5ft, clean with cross-off NW, but the score drops off. Afternoon gets messy with cross-on rain showers.
From Tuesday the 25th through Wednesday the 26th, the swell stays between 7.2ft and 11.5ft but the winds aren’t perfect and the energy is high. The 26th morning has 11.5ft on a short 10-second period—that’s a lot of close-out potential.
Thursday the 27th morning drops right off: 3.0ft SW groundswell, 15-second period, clean but only 691 energy. Not worth the paddle.
Friday the 28th morning goes massive: 14.8ft SW groundswell, 17-second period, offshore NNW wind. Energy is 10992. That is a monster. Only for the bravest and most skilled. Afternoon stays 14.8ft with clean cross-off.
Saturday the 29th morning: 16.4ft SSW swell, 13-second period, clean cross-off NE. 8143 energy. Insane. Afternoon goes cross-on and choppy.
Sunday the 30th drops to 9.8ft with moderate energy but the winds aren’t great by afternoon.
Monday the 31st morning is 7.2ft SW groundswell, 16-second period, clean cross-off. The afternoon is the true standout of the second week: 7.5ft, 15-second period, clean cross-off, 3171 energy. Excellent for experienced surfers.
Tuesday September 1st morning is 4.9ft, clean, solid period. Afternoon drops to 3.6ft but that 16-second period keeps it quality.
Wednesday September 2nd has a glassy morning with 4.6ft and 16-second period, then Wednesday afternoon is glassy with ENE wind at 3 mph. 4.6ft, 15-second period, 1147 energy. This is the best of the smaller windows—perfect conditions, clean, and lined up. Crowds are possible at The Cutting.
Thursday September 3rd fades out with weaker energy and cross winds.
Best overall: Sunday 23rd afternoon for experienced surfers—8.2ft SW swell, glassy cross-off wind, clean, and 3438 energy.
Second standout: Monday 31st afternoon—7.5ft, 15-second groundswell, clean cross-off, 3171 energy.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed night, min 9°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 507 | 1144 | 555 | 2716 | 3394 | 3495 | 6013 | 6552 | 5659 | 5505 | 3511 | 2201 | 3181 | 2293 | 3049 | 2445 | 1710 | 2107 | 2855 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:06AM0.76m | 2:29PM0.75m | 4:46AM0.71m | 2:22PM0.74m | 5:45AM0.64m | 1:57PM0.74m | 1:16PM0.77m | 12:51PM0.82m | 12:50PM0.87m | 00:11AM0.35m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 9:18AM0.48m | 9:33PM0.07m | 9:23AM0.55m | 9:53PM0.11m | 8:47AM0.61m | 10:11PM0.16m | 10:26PM0.21m | 10:23PM0.27m | 9:23PM0.33m | ||||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | |
 | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 436 | 1144 | 555 | 2716 | 3394 | 2847 | 6013 | 6552 | 5659 | 5505 | 3511 | 2201 | 3181 | 2293 | 2658 | 2445 | 1710 | 2107 | 2855 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | — | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | SSW 24 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 507 | 493 | 443 | — | 241 | 1201 | — | 54 | 305 | 790 | 1501 | 1591 | — | 17 | 60 | 199 | 714 | 653 | 624 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | WSW 16 | — |
| kJ | 231 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 596 | 788 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | W 9 | W 10 | W 6 | — | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | N 4 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | 614 | 402 | 162 | — | 3495 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 3 | 3049 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 80 | 4 | 24 | 80 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 76 | 24 | 52 | 0 | 35 | 80 | 76 | 24 | 108 | 108 | 24 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Far West of Victoria | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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