Reef break · West Coast · Advanced
Forecast for Tuesday 1 September
Advanced : Not great, but surfable around 15h. — Best window: 15h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
An isolated reef area 21 km south of Penong, lefts and a right, best at mid-tide on SW swell with ENE offshore wind. Isolation and sharks are among the listed hazards.
Surfable all year. Autumn (Sep-Nov) is the best season: powerful swells, water still mild, less crowd.
For experts only. Powerful waves, strong currents or technical bottom. Ask locally first.
Direct access from the beach, but mind the rocky bottom. Wetsuit + booties recommended, do not surf at low tide.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
At Cactus, tide isn't a deciding factor: the spot stays surfable across most tide states. Focus on the swell and the wind instead.
Cactus is rather recommended for advanced surfers. If you're a beginner, prefer a surf school, a small swell and a suitable tide, or look for a more sheltered nearby spot.
The ideal wind at Cactus comes broadly from North-East: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Cactus, you can also check conditions at URBNSURF, Flores Sud, Lakey Pipe. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.