Cactus Caves
Cactus Caves is the fearsome right-hander in the legendary Cactus Beach zone on the Great Australian Bight. While its neighbour Castles draws the crowds with its long left, Caves delivers thick, heavy barrels that break over dangerously shallow reef. The wave is strictly for advanced surfers—the take-off zone is tight, the barrel is square, and the reef below is unforgiving. Set in one of Australia's most remote and shark-infested stretches of coastline, reaching Caves requires a long drive from Ceduna followed by a dirt road to basic camping at Point Sinclair.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 170° - 250°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.4m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (30°)
- Offshore range
- 350° - 70°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.8m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Dirt road from Penong. Basic camping at Point Sinclair. No facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Cactus Caves?
Cactus Caves works best on a mid to high tide, ideally between 0.5m and 1.8m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Cactus Caves?
Offshore wind at Cactus Caves blows from the NNE (30°). Anything in the 350° to 70° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Cactus Caves?
Cactus Caves wants SSW swell (170° to 250°) between 1m and 3m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Cactus Caves?
The main season at Cactus Caves is Jun-Aug. A secondary window runs May, Sep. Winter for biggest swells. Autumn can be cleaner.
How do I get to Cactus Caves?
Fly into CED, then allow about 80 minutes by road. Dirt road from Penong. Basic camping at Point Sinclair. No facilities.
What kind of wave is Cactus Caves?
Cactus Caves is a reef break, a right-hander. Difficulty is rated 8/10.
Best Season
Peak: Jun-Aug
Secondary: May, Sep
Winter for biggest swells. Autumn can be cleaner.