The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cutting sea temperature is
14.4° C
0.4° 

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 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 15,113 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 5.5m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cutting in the next 16 days are 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 24th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 16s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 24th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 4AM (Fri 24th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down The Cutting.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a massive pulse of swell hitting, but here’s the thing – for almost the whole first week and into early August, the waves are just too big for this break. We’re talking serious energy, with the combined swell energy hitting 12558 on Friday the 24th morning, and staying huge for days. That’s strong to very strong energy, but when the waves are over 8ft and hitting 18ft at times, that’s expert-only or just straight-up closing out. The wind is mostly cross or side-shore, fresh at times, so it’s lumpy.

The first real shot at a good session doesn’t come until Thursday the 30th of July. Thursday morning, the swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the SW with a 12-second period. The energy is moderate (2171), and we’ve got a light breeze from the NNW: that’s cross-offshore – clean conditions, and it’s rated for experienced surfers. This is a standout window. The Cutting is consistent, exposed to the S swell, so this SW direction is perfect. Look for some power in the sets, but the period is long enough to shape up. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so expect some company.

Moving into Friday the 31st of July, the afternoon has a special one. The swell drops to 5ft from the SSW with a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s groundswell, and for a setup like The Cutting, it’ll be clean with a gentle cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate (2641). This is another excellent window for experienced surfers – the waves will have that deep-water push and nice lines, but with such a long period, the sets will be more spaced out. It’s quality, not quantity.

Then we get into August, and the swell jumps back up. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd have 10ft to 13ft SW swell with very long periods (16-18 seconds) and clean winds, but it’s just too big again at 10ft for anything but the brave. By Tuesday the 4th of August morning, it drops back to a manageable 7ft from the SSW with a 15-second period. The energy is moderate (4245), and with a light cross-offshore breeze from the ENE, it’s clean. That’s another good call for experienced surfers, and it might be a touch more doable for a strong intermediate.

After that, it’s a lot of big swell again, with 10ft to 13ft plus on the cards, and some offshore winds, but the size keeps it out of reach for most. The pattern stays active right through to the 8th of August, with a final drop to 6ft on the Saturday morning, but the energy is lower and the wind is side-shore, so it’s more of a marginal day.

So, to sum it up: The best bets are Thursday morning the 30th of July and Friday afternoon the 31st of July for clean, powerful but not oversized waves. Tuesday the 4th of August morning is also a very solid option. The rest of the time, it’s either too big or just not clean enough. If you’re an experienced surfer with a big-wave gun, you might find some fun on the 1st and 2nd, but it’s not for everyone.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
3
3
!
0
0
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5.5
SW
16
5.5
SSW
15
5
SW
14
4.5
SW
13
4
SW
13
3.5
SW
12
3.5
SW
12
3
SW
11
3
SW
11
3
SW
11
2.5
SW
11
2.5
SW
11
2.5
SW
13
3.5
SW
16
3
SSW
15
3.5
SSW
15
4.5
SW
14
4
SW
14
3
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13304
12558
9242
6399
4861
3671
2797
1868
1717
1762
1500
1613
2290
5341
3909
5845
7782
6337
3264
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
30
W
35
W
30
W
30
WSW
30
W
25
W
25
W
25
W
20
NW
20
NW
20
NNW
30
NNW
40
NNW
45
WSW
20
SW
10
SSW
15
SW
10
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
2:20PM0.72m
1:03PM0.76m
12:45PM0.82m
12:55PM0.88m
1:12PM0.92m
1:30PM0.95m
00:00AM0.43m
Low Tide
10:56PM0.15m
11:26PM0.17m
00:07AM0.21m
1:58AM0.23m
4:17AM0.21m
5:21AM0.17m
9:02PM0.39m
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:35
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
 mm
5
2
2
3
2
2
Temp °C
11
12
12
13
14
13
13
14
14
14
14
15
13
14
12
12
11
11
11
Feels °C
3
4
4
7
8
7
8
8
9
10
9
11
6
6
3
6
7
7
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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