Cottons Point surfForecast / CAL – Orange County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Tuesday 12 May 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cottons Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
17.9° C
(Which is 1.9°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 Tuesday (May 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. 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 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 12th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 12th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 17th May)7ft (2.2m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
1.6
W
11
2
W
10
1.5
W
9
1.6
W
10
1.2
W
12
1
W
9
0.4
S
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
334
272
233
166
158
211
366
335
392
351
336
285
301
239
566
723
373
502
416
157
68
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SW
10
SW
15
W
5
SSE
10
SSW
10
SSW
5
SSE
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SSE
15
SSW
10
SW
20
SE
20
SSE
15
S
20
SSE
20
S
15
SSW
10
SSE
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
6:46PM1.49m
7:07AM1.19m
7:15PM1.66m
8:01AM1.20m
7:47PM1.81m
8:54AM1.19m
8:23PM1.93m
9:47AM1.16m
9:02PM2.00m
10:41AM1.12m
9:46PM2.00m
11:38AM1.08m
10:33PM1.94m
Low Tide
12:22PM0.19m
1:19AM0.19m
12:57PM0.24m
2:03AM-0.05m
1:33PM0.30m
2:48AM-0.25m
2:09PM0.37m
3:34AM-0.39m
2:48PM0.45m
4:22AM-0.47m
3:29PM0.52m
5:14AM-0.47m
4:14PM0.59m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:50
5:50
5:48
5:48
5:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:40
7:40
7:42
7:43
7:44
7:44
7:45
Temp °C
16
17
16
17
17
15
18
18
16
18
18
16
19
18
16
18
18
16
18
18
16
15
16
16
16
15
14
17
16
16
16
17
16
18
17
15
15
15
14
15
15
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
W
10
0.9
W
10
1.6
W
11
2
W
10
1.5
W
9
1.6
W
10
1.2
W
12
1
W
9
0.7
W
7
Energy kJ
334
272
233
166
158
211
366
335
392
351
336
285
154
156
566
723
373
502
416
157
47
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
10
0.3
S
11
0.4
WNW
12
0.3
WNW
11
0.4
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
W
8
0.6
W
11
0.6
W
11
0.6
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
S
15
Energy kJ
30
23
47
24
106
120
33
89
85
71
96
70
301
239
210
141
139
98
52
50
68
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
11
0.2
WNW
12
0.3
S
11
0.3
SSW
18
0.2
S
11
0.4
WNW
12
0.3
WNW
11
0.4
SSW
12
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
9
0.3
SSW
16
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
9
0.1
SW
19
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
18
0.4
S
16
0.3
S
16
0.4
S
15
0.3
SSW
12
Energy kJ
22
15
23
64
9
50
25
60
8
7
7
51
2
2
14
25
24
81
46
69
28
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
10
0.4
W
11
Energy kJ
31
37
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
2
3
2
1
2
2
Distance (km)
87
87
0
87
87
0
82
87
30
87
87
30
82
195
87
87
200
87
87
82
65
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
4
3
2
4
4
3
4
3
2
4
4
3
6
5
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
8
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
4
4
5
4
4
6
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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