Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SSW swell with 684 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s be straight about the next couple weeks. The surf is gonna be pretty flat and messy for a long stretch, so don’t rush out there. There’s a decent pulse comin’ late in the game, but it’s a test of patience.
From Thursday July 9th through the next week, it’s just tiny, weak swell. We’re talkin’ about 0.6 to 1.0 feet of swell from the SSW, with a long period (13 to 16 seconds), but the combined energy is all in the low hundreds (244 to 480). The wind is cross-on, mostly 6 to 9 mph, and it’s bumpy. It’s a real gap of about nine days where you’re probably not gonna get wet.
The standout is Saturday, July 18th at Cottons Point. That’s the one. The swell jumps to 3 to 5 feet from the S, with a 16-second period. That’s real groundswell, and for a reef and point, it’ll give you some nice lines. The combined energy hits 1118 in the morning and 2001 in the afternoon—that’s moderate to strong. The wind is light from the W at 6 mph, so it’s a light cross-onshore with just small ripples. It’s clean enough for a good session. The water temp is about normal for the season. This spot can get a crowd, so be ready to share.
Sunday, July 19th, keeps it going with a 6 foot swell from the S in the morning, but the period drops to 13 seconds, and the wind is onshore from the SW at 9 mph. That’s a bit lumpy, and it’s gettin’ into expert territory for size. The afternoon drops to 4 feet. After that, it fades back to small, weak junk from the 20th. The 24th of July shows a little spike with a 5 foot S swell and a 15-second period, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s not a clean winner.
Bottom line: Saturday, July 18th is your day. The rest is a bust.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wed 15 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 9 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 675 | 545 | 481 | 481 | 439 | 411 | 405 | 344 | 358 | 210 | 316 | 289 | 277 | 312 | 176 | 213 | 133 | 111 | 194 | 107 | 96 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 5:43AM0.87m | 5:13PM1.68m | 7:10AM0.93m | 6:07PM1.82m | 8:12AM1.02m | 7:01PM1.95m | 9:01AM1.10m | 7:53PM2.06m | 9:44AM1.17m | 8:43PM2.11m | 10:25AM1.23m | 9:32PM2.10m | 11:06AM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:52PM0.29m | 10:15AM0.62m | 00:56AM0.05m | 11:25AM0.69m | 1:49AM-0.16m | 12:32PM0.69m | 2:38AM-0.33m | 1:33PM0.66m | 3:23AM-0.44m | 2:28PM0.60m | 4:07AM-0.47m | 3:20PM0.54m | 4:49AM-0.44m | 4:12PM0.50m | |||||||
 | | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
 | 8:02 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 |
Feels °C | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 675 | 545 | 481 | 481 | 439 | 411 | 405 | 344 | 358 | 210 | 316 | 289 | 277 | 312 | 176 | 213 | 133 | 77 | 133 | 103 | 66 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 10 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 6 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | W 9 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 65 | 126 | 89 | 66 | 41 | 47 | 24 | 14 | 11 | 153 | 68 | 113 | 62 | 6 | 120 | 133 | 76 | 111 | 194 | 65 | 76 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | S 9 | S 10 | — | — | S 21 | — | S 19 | S 19 | WSW 6 | W 5 | W 5 | S 16 | SW 21 | SW 19 | S 12 | SW 19 | SW 13 | W 7 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 43 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 9 | — | 66 | 30 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 46 | 18 | 59 | 25 | 58 | 42 | 23 | 107 | 96 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | 14 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 82 | 82 | 65 | 82 | 65 | 1 | 65 | 65 | 0 | 82 | 10 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 72 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 87 |
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.
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