Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 24 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★+): Monday 24 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period with SW 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. 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-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
| 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, checking in on the one spot we’ve got for the next couple of weeks.
The outlook is a bit of a slow burn to be honest. We’ve got a consistent run of small, clean-ish swell coming through, but it’s going to take a good while before we see anything that really gets the heart pumping. The water is running at a very unusual 74°F, which is a solid 6° warmer than you’d expect for this time of year, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.
We’re kicking off on Monday, the 24th of August, with tiny 2ft swell from the SW. The period is a very long 18 seconds, which is proper groundswell energy, but the wave height is just too small to get excited about.
Tuesday the 25th is a bit of a tease. The swell bumps up to 2ft in the morning and 3ft in the afternoon, and the combined energy is moderate (447). The wind is light and cross-onshore though, so it’s going to be a bit messy.
Wednesday the 26th is the first day worth a mention. The morning sees 4ft of S swell with a 12-second period and combined energy of 817 (moderate). The wind is light and offshore, which is a major positive. It’s still a bit weak for a standout, but it’s the best of the first week.
The swell fades and the wind stays onshore through the rest of the week, with a few days of light cross-onshore breezes.
Now, looking ahead to the second week, there’s a glimmer on the horizon. Saturday the 6th of September is looking like the pick of the entire period. The afternoon session is looking glassy with light SW wind and a 3ft SSW swell. The combined energy is 675 (moderate), but the glassy conditions are the real draw here. This is the one to keep an eye on.
Monday the 8th of September sees the swell climb to 5ft from the S with a 13-second period and combined energy of 956 (strong). The morning is cross-onshore, but the afternoon has light offshore winds, which could clean it up nicely. This one is promising but still a long way out.
The rest of the second week looks like a mix of onshore winds and moderate swell, with nothing else that really stands out.
So, overall, it’s a waiting game. The best bet is the glassy session on Sunday the 6th of September, with a promising but less certain window on Monday the 8th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 229 | 495 | 485 | 461 | 367 | 403 | 289 | 270 | 351 | 325 | 932 | 594 | 627 | 706 | 537 | 400 | 389 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:38AM1.17m | 7:31PM1.68m | 8:56AM1.23m | 8:05PM1.75m | 9:16AM1.30m | 8:37PM1.78m | 9:38AM1.37m | 9:09PM1.77m | 10:01AM1.45m | 9:43PM1.71m | 10:26AM1.52m | 10:18PM1.61m | 10:52AM1.58m | 10:57PM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:27PM0.73m | 2:41AM-0.02m | 2:01PM0.63m | 3:06AM-0.06m | 2:35PM0.54m | 3:31AM-0.06m | 3:09PM0.45m | 3:55AM-0.04m | 3:45PM0.38m | 4:19AM0.02m | 4:23PM0.33m | 4:43AM0.13m | 5:04PM0.29m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 252 | 179 | 273 | 264 | 229 | 495 | 485 | 461 | 367 | 403 | 289 | 206 | 110 | 81 | 932 | 594 | 627 | 706 | 537 | 400 | 389 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 14 | S 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 |
| kJ | 89 | 85 | 126 | 126 | 208 | 203 | 302 | 198 | 171 | 171 | 132 | 270 | 351 | 147 | 51 | 106 | 87 | 127 | 114 | 95 | 85 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 14 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | W 11 | SSW 19 | W 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 16 | 66 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 30 | 19 | 85 | 20 | 12 | 114 | 61 | 325 | 51 | 38 | 39 | 21 | 10 | 35 | 75 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 82 | 205 | 0 | 82 | 11 | 0 | 82 | 128 | 0 | 82 | 65 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 4 | 65 | 87 | 76 | 87 | 87 | 33 |
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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