Abstract Cavitating vortex shedding behind a truncated NACA 0009 hydrofoil subjected to forced oscillation has been numerically investigated using a one degree-of-freedom (1 DOF) model coupled with a homogeneous mixture cavitation model. The pitching motion of the hydrofoil has been prescribed using a sinusoidal function with a fixed amplitude and variable frequencies ranging from lock-off values below the vortex shedding frequency to values well above it and passing through the lock-in condition. The obtained results have permitted us to study the change in the dynamics and morphology of the shed-vortex structures with varying hydrofoil oscillation frequencies when cavitation takes place. More specifically, it has been found that the frequency regime of the lock-in condition is altered due to the occurrence and development of cavitation. Also, two distinct wake patterns have been observed for oscillating frequencies below and above the vortex shedding frequency. Furthermore, the phase angle between the applied torque and the hydrofoil surface acceleration has been estimated as a function of the excitation frequency and the cavitation number, which has helped to understand the effects of cavitation on the dynamic behaviour of the shed vortices.