Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 932 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cottons Point this week:
The surf forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cottons Point in the next 16 days are 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's get into it.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start on the horizon. The first real opportunity to get wet doesn't show up until Friday morning, the 28th of August, down at Cottons Point. This is a reef and point setup, so it cleans up nicely when the conditions are right.
For Friday morning, we’re looking at a clean 3ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a long 17-second period. That's proper groundswell energy, and with a light onshore breeze, it’s going to be glassy. The water is a balmy 74°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a tropical treat. The combined energy is moderate (515). It’s a consistent spot, but it can get crowded sometimes, so get in early.
The swell builds a touch into Saturday the 29th, hitting 4ft from the SSW with that same long period. The morning session is still looking clean, with light winds, but the afternoon gets a bit messy as the wind swings cross-onshore. The energy picks up to a strong level (758), but the quality drops.
Honestly, the standout window is that Friday morning, the 28th. That combination of a clean, long-period SSW swell, light winds, and warmer-than-average water is the best we’ll see for a while. Saturday morning is a solid backup.
After that, the wind gets messy. From Sunday the 30th through the first week of September, the winds are mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell quality takes a hit. The waves are still around, 3ft to 4ft, but the texture goes to crap. The energy stays moderate (around 300-700), but it’s just not clean.
There's a brief glimmer on Thursday the 3rd of September and Friday the 4th, with the swell sticking around 3ft and the wind going light and onshore in the mornings, but the forecast calls it marginal. The long period (17 seconds) is still there, but it’s a gamble.
The second week, from the 7th onward, gets pretty grim. The swell drops off, and the wind is all over the place. A few morning sessions might offer a small window with light winds, but the waves are small and period is shorter. It’s a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions. Honestly, it’s a week you might want to spend doing something else.
Bottom line: Friday the 28th of August, first light at Cottons Point. That’s your best bet. Get it while it’s clean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
351 | 325 | 932 | 692 | 627 | 759 | 537 | 478 | 389 | 261 | 207 | 195 | 118 | 96 | 240 | 236 | 129 | 412 | 246 | 265 | 547 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:01AM1.45m | 9:43PM1.71m | 10:26AM1.52m | 10:18PM1.61m | 10:52AM1.58m | 10:57PM1.45m | 11:20AM1.62m | 11:42PM1.26m | 11:53AM1.63m | 00:41AM1.06m | 12:34PM1.62m | 2:20AM0.88m | 1:34PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:45PM0.38m | 4:19AM0.02m | 4:23PM0.33m | 4:43AM0.13m | 5:04PM0.29m | 5:06AM0.26m | 5:52PM0.28m | 5:29AM0.41m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:52AM0.58m | 8:11PM0.32m | 6:14AM0.73m | 9:57PM0.27m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 7 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
351 | 73 | 932 | 692 | 627 | 759 | 537 | 478 | 99 | 261 | 180 | 195 | 112 | 79 | 240 | 236 | 129 | 412 | 246 | 265 | 269 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SW 14 | S 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | SSW 14 | W 7 | SSW 14 | S 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 5 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | W 4 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 |
79 | 147 | 33 | 45 | 42 | 150 | 146 | 88 | 389 | 42 | 207 | 85 | 118 | 96 | 12 | 132 | 91 | 6 | 229 | 229 | 547 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SSW 19 | W 10 | SSW 8 | SW 12 | S 8 | SSE 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | S 13 | SSW 19 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 11 | SW 16 | S 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | W 5 |
85 | 325 | 52 | 21 | 37 | 10 | 33 | 44 | 45 | 161 | 35 | 20 | 50 | 80 | 111 | 2 | 129 | 14 | 149 | 231 | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | W 6 | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | W 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | — | 15 | 13 | — | 13 | 13 | — | — | 15 | 23 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 82 | 87 | 21 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cottons Point Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cottons Point provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cottons Point can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cottons Point 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 (Cottons Point) 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 Cottons Point 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.
Cottons Point is 5 km (3 miles) from San Clemente. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Clemente. San Clemente has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











