10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Cactus, Nullarbor, Australia
Cactus is Australia's most remote quality surf zone—a collection of breaks at the edge of the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia, where the Southern Ocean delivers raw power to an isolated stretch of coastline. The main break is a hollow left that peels along a limestone reef, with nearby spots including the slab Supertubes. Getting here requires a 12-hour drive from Adelaide through desert scrub. The reward is empty lineups, powerful waves, and genuine wilderness surfing. Bring everything—nearest help is hours away.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-06 with a score of 85/100 (Firing)
Moderate recommendation: Cactus has 1 Firing day(s) and 1 Good day(s). Worth considering.
Good alignment: Swell from 228° is 3° off optimal 225°, still within prime range.
Marginal size: 1.6m is 0.6m from ideal 2.3m.
Perfect period: 17s is at or above ideal 16s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 14 km/h from 301° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Surfable but not special at Cactus. The 1.6m swell from 228° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.6m (5.2ft) swell from 228° (SW) at 17s period
Good alignment: Swell from 229° is 4° off optimal 225°, still within prime range.
Marginal size: 2.3m is 0.0m from ideal 2.3m.
Perfect period: 16s is at or above ideal 16s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 137° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
Excellent conditions at Cactus. The 2.3m swell from 229° aligns well with the spot, and light offshore winds are grooming the face. Worth planning a trip around this.
2.3m (7.5ft) swell from 229° (SW) at 16s period
Good size: 2.7m is within 15% of ideal 2.3m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 7° (N). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
Surfable but not special at Cactus. The 2.7m swell from 228° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.7m (8.9ft) swell from 228° (SW) at 16s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
Good size: 2.6m is within 15% of ideal 2.3m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 307° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
Surfable but not special at Cactus. The 2.6m swell from 228° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.6m (8.5ft) swell from 228° (SW) at 16s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 238° is 13° off optimal 225°, workable but not ideal.
Too big: 4.1m exceeds maximum 3.0m. Risk of closeouts.
Moderate period: 12s meets minimum 12s but below ideal 16s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 40 km/h from 248° (WSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
-5 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Cactus. Either swell direction (238°), size (4.1m), or wind (40 km/h from 248°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
4.1m (13.5ft) swell from 238° (WSW) at 12s period
Perfect alignment: Swell from 225° is within 5° of optimal 225°.
Too big: 4.4m exceeds maximum 3.0m. Risk of closeouts.
Onshore/cross-shore: 23 km/h from 328° (NNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
-10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Cactus. Either swell direction (225°), size (4.4m), or wind (23 km/h from 328°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
4.4m (14.4ft) swell from 225° (SW) at 12s period
Good alignment: Swell from 223° is 2° off optimal 225°, still within prime range.
Moderate period: 13s meets minimum 12s but below ideal 16s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 39 km/h from 283° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
-17 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Cactus. Either swell direction (223°), size (4.1m), or wind (39 km/h from 283°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
4.1m (13.5ft) swell from 223° (SW) at 13s period
Perfect alignment: Swell from 226° is within 5° of optimal 225°.
Too big: 6.4m exceeds maximum 3.0m. Risk of closeouts.
Moderate period: 14s meets minimum 12s but below ideal 16s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 260° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
-21 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at Cactus. Either swell direction (226°), size (6.4m), or wind (19 km/h from 260°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
6.4m (21.0ft) swell from 226° (SW) at 14s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Good alignment: Swell from 218° is 7° off optimal 225°, still within prime range.
Too big: 4.6m exceeds maximum 3.0m. Risk of closeouts.
Perfect period: 18s is at or above ideal 16s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 282° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 30°-110°.
-11 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Surfable but not special at Cactus. The 4.6m swell from 218° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
4.6m (15.1ft) swell from 218° (SW) at 18s period
Good alignment: Swell from 221° is 4° off optimal 225°, still within prime range.
Light offshore: 9 km/h from 105° (ESE). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
Good surfable conditions at Cactus. 2.6m swell from 221° with manageable wind. Solid session guaranteed.
2.6m (8.5ft) swell from 221° (SW) at 16s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)