The Cutting Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.41° S 142.52° E

The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 10 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: Tuesday 11 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 15,595 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 16s 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 5.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 11th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 11th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 14th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, looking at what The Cutting has cookin' for the next couple of weeks.

First thing: this spot faces south-west, soaking up everything that comes. The water is around 57°, which is dead normal for this time of year.

Right now, Monday afternoon is a straight-up dud. Rain showers, a fresh cross-onshore wind at 19 mph, and a chunky, messy 10-foot south-west swell. Just leave it.

Tuesday morning flips the script. The wind goes offshore out of the north-northwest at 13 mph, cleaning up that 8-foot south-west groundswell with a 14-second period. This is heavy, powerful stuff. The wave energy is strong at 3003. This is a real standout session – proper, clean faces for experienced surfers.

Tuesday afternoon holds okay, but the morning is the window.

From Wednesday the 12th all the way through Sunday the 16th, the swell gets too big. We're talking 10-foot to 16-foot south-west waves. Wave energy goes through the roof (7881 to 14269) – that's very strong. Winds are mostly cross or onshore, and the consistent word is it's simply too much for this break. Friday the 14th is the peak with a 16-foot, 17-second monster and 14269 energy. Unless you're a pro, stay away. Honestly, during this stretch, it looks more like a kite-surfing zone than a paddle surf spot.

We get some relief Monday the 17th. Morning looks excellent for experienced folks: a light offshore breeze from the east-northeast, and a much friendlier 8-foot south-west groundswell (14 seconds). Wave energy is moderate at 2383. That’s another top pick.

Tuesday the 18th afternoon also cleans up with a moderate offshore breeze and a 7-foot, 16-second swell. Real nice.

Things chill out in the second week. Wednesday the 19th morning is clean with offshore wind and a smaller 4-foot swell. Good, fun size for intermediates. Then Thursday the 20th afternoon is a little gem: glassy conditions, no wind to speak of, and a clean 5-foot south-west swell. That’s a magic window.

Into the 21st and 23rd, a few more clean offshore sessions pop up in the 5-foot to 7-foot range – consistent, lined-up waves for the experienced crew.

Big caveat: these are long-period groundswells (12 to 17 seconds). That means powerful, well-shaped waves, but at a beach break they can be a little straight. Find a good bank, and you’re in for a treat.

Bottom line: Tuesday morning the 11th and Thursday afternoon the 20th are the ones to circle. Clean, powerful, and the right size. Monday the 17th is solid too. Be ready to move when the window opens, because that second week has some proper gems.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Mon
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
5
2
3
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SW
17
3
SW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.3
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
15
5
SW
17
4.5
SW
16
4
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4766
4853
2903
2201
3385
7881
9543
10362
10700
8975
9380
14269
10165
6864
5280
4797
4024
3619
3436
2785
Wind (km/h)
30
SW
25
W
20
NNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
30
WSW
35
WSW
25
W
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
WNW
20
W
15
WSW
10
SW
10
S
10
S
15
ESE
5
ENE
15
SSE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
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
Low Tide
00:07AM0.15m
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
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<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
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
2
1
1
Temp °C
13
12
13
13
12
12
12
11
13
14
13
13
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
Feels °C
8
6
7
7
5
4
5
5
8
9
9
8
8
8
8
8
8
9
8
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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