The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.6° C
0.6° 

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 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s period, SW swell with 15,671 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 15s 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 (Jul 14) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.0m and 15s period. 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 6.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 14th Jul)20ft (6.0m) 15s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 14th Jul)20ft (6.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 4AM (Tue 14th Jul)20ft (6.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and let's have a proper look at what's cookin' at The Cutting over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the start of this run is a total write-off. Tuesday the 14th is ugly. We're talkin' a massive 18ft south-west groundswell with a very long 16-second period, but it's gettin' smashed by a 35 km/h cross-shore wind. The combined energy is absolutely thumping, but with that wind, the surface is gonna be lumpy, chopped-up rubbish. Not a single wave worth paddlin' for. Wednesday the 15th through Friday the 17th sees the swell drop a touch, still sitting between 10ft and 12ft from the SW, with a solid period. The wind cleans up nicely to light breezes, even going offshore on Friday, making for clean conditions. But the problem is the size. At 10ft to 12ft, this is still well over the 8ft mark, putting it firmly in the "experts only" zone. The forecast even says it's too big for this break. So, unless you're a complete charger on a step-up, you're gonna have to wait.

Now, Saturday the 18th is where it starts to get interesting. The swell drops to 8ft in the morning, comin' from the SW (optimum direction here) with a 14-second period, and the wind goes light offshore from the N. It’s still big, right on the 8ft threshold, but it's clean and the energy is strong. The afternoon gets even better – swell drops to 7ft, wind shifts light cross-off from the NE, and it's described as clean. This is the first real window for experienced surfers to get amongst it.

Sunday the 19th is a proper step down. Swell backs right off to 4ft from the WSW with a 12-second period. Don't let the size fool you completely, the wind is offshore from the N all day, making for clean lines. The energy is moderate. It’s not gonna be pumping, but it'll be clean and rideable on a log or a groveler. Monday the 20th has a bit more push, with 4ft in the morning under a moderate N offshore, and the swell bumps up to 6ft in the afternoon, though the wind turns cross-off from the NNW. The 6ft afternoon session has decent energy, so that's a solid call for a surfer who knows what they're doing.

We've got a long stretch of good conditions through Tuesday the 21st, Wednesday the 22nd, and into Thursday the 23rd. Tuesday the 21st is a personal favorite on paper. You get 7ft from the WSW in the morning with a light N cross-off wind, and then in the afternoon... glass. The wind goes WNW at 5 km/h, it's described as glassy, and the swell is a consistent 7ft from the SW with a 13-second period. That’s your standout session for the whole run – proper conditions, good energy, and it's going to be clean as a whistle. Wednesday the 22nd keeps the good vibes going with 6ft morning swell and an offshore N wind, easing to 6ft in the afternoon. Thursday the 23rd morning has a moderate N offshore with 5ft swell – another very solid, clean option.

But the party gets gatecrashed. From Thursday afternoon the 23rd right through to Sunday the 27th, it swings back to being too big and/or too windy. Thursday afternoon jumps to 10ft, and Friday the 24th is 12ft again—way too much for the spot. Then from Saturday the 25th onwards, the wind swings onshore from the south and picks up, turning the ocean into a mess. The end of the run on Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th is marginal at best with onshore flow, before a final tease on Wednesday the 30th with a massive 10ft, 18-second groundswell under a light offshore N wind. That's a very long period, which will pour a ton of energy right in, but again, for the experienced crew only.

If I'm picking the one session to circle on the calendar, it's the glassy Tuesday afternoon on the 21st. That's the one where conditions, swell size, and wind all line up for a beautiful session at The Cutting.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon night, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Tue morning, calm by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Mon
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
6.5
SW
15
5.5
SW
16
5
SW
15
4.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
14
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
15
3
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3
SW
15
2.5
SW
14
2.2
SW
13
1.6
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
1.1
SW
17
1.3
SW
16
2
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
18429
13605
11915
7956
5345
4485
4716
5358
5333
3970
4301
5969
3515
2337
1657
797
525
469
618
803
1693
Wind (km/h)
30
W
35
W
35
WSW
20
WNW
20
W
20
W
10
W
10
WSW
10
WSW
10
N
10
NNW
10
WNW
10
N
10
N
5
NE
10
N
15
N
10
N
15
N
20
N
20
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
1:33PM1.01m
1:54PM1.01m
2:11PM0.98m
11:46PM0.51m
2:25PM0.94m
1:05AM0.58m
2:38PM0.89m
2:04AM0.64m
2:50PM0.85m
2:58AM0.67m
3:02PM0.81m
Low Tide
3:28AM0.08m
4:53AM0.04m
5:55AM0.03m
9:20PM0.49m
6:46AM0.04m
8:53PM0.44m
7:29AM0.09m
8:57PM0.35m
8:08AM0.17m
9:14PM0.27m
8:43AM0.27m
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
13
13
13
11
12
13
13
12
13
13
11
12
11
12
14
13
13
14
12
14
14
Feels °C
7
5
6
6
8
9
10
10
11
12
8
10
8
9
12
11
10
12
8
9
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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