Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, S swell with 1,129 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. 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 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here again, now in feet and knots for those who think that way.
Alright, Cottons Point for the next couple of weeks. Honestly? It’s a slow burn. First few days are flat and messy.
Water temps are way warmer than usual – about 25° – feels like a late summer holdout.
Wednesday 2nd September, forget it. 2ft from the SSW with a long 16-second period, but a cross-onshore breeze has it all chopped up.
Thursday 3rd bumps to 3ft by the afternoon, still from the SSW, period out to 18 seconds, but the wind stays cross-onshore. Marginal, and tide might ruin it.
Friday 4th and Saturday 5th start to look a little better. Swell holds at 3ft from the SSW with a 16-17 second period. The combined energy numbers are moderate (up to 868 on Saturday morning), so there’s some push. Light cross-onshore breeze means it’s not perfect, but it’s surfable. This is the best you’ll get for the first part of the run.
Sunday 6th September is the real deal. Size jumps to 6ft from the south in the morning (combined energy 1155), then drops to 5ft by afternoon with the wind dropping to nearly calm from the SW. That 13-14 second period and near-glassy conditions will clean it right up. This is a solid wave for intermediates, but it might be too much for beginners. The south direction isn’t the reef’s favourite SW, but the size and light wind make it the clear winner for the whole outlook.
Monday 7th keeps the size (5ft to 6ft) but the afternoon gets messy with a stronger cross-onshore wind. Quality drops fast.
From Tuesday 8th September onward, the swell fades. Periods shorten, winds stay on or cross-onshore, and the energy numbers drop from moderate to weak (as low as 192 by the 13th). Mostly poor or marginal conditions.
The last week, from Monday 14th to Thursday 17th September, is really thin – 2ft to 3ft, weak energy (under 350), and cross-onshore winds almost all the way. Nothing exciting. The 17th afternoon has a very long 21-second period but it’s only 2ft – a long wait for a small wave.
So, the pick is Sunday 6th September afternoon. The 5ft S swell with almost no wind gives you the cleanest, most fun session. Cottons Point can get a crowd sometimes, so expect company if you go.
After that, we’re waiting. This spot can have these quiet runs, but it usually doesn’t stay flat for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 175 | 291 | 188 | 399 | 651 | 587 | 559 | 620 | 512 | 674 | 985 | 1129 | 653 | 513 | 972 | 975 | 975 | 828 | 769 | 618 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:20AM0.88m | 1:34PM1.57m | 5:35AM0.88m | 3:06PM1.55m | 6:58AM1.01m | 4:42PM1.62m | 7:24AM1.14m | 5:56PM1.74m | 7:51AM1.26m | 6:54PM1.85m | 8:19AM1.38m | 7:43PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:11PM0.32m | 6:14AM0.73m | 9:57PM0.27m | 6:35AM0.88m | 11:34PM0.14m | 10:07AM0.94m | 00:38AM-0.01m | 11:51AM0.84m | 1:25AM-0.13m | 12:54PM0.67m | 2:04AM-0.19m | 1:43PM0.49m | 2:39AM-0.20m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 149 | 203 | 140 | 399 | 651 | 587 | 559 | 620 | 512 | 674 | 985 | 1129 | 653 | 513 | 972 | 975 | 975 | 828 | 769 | 618 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 10 | W 6 | W 6 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 10 | W 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 6 | W 13 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 5 |
| kJ | 80 | 30 | 37 | 56 | 30 | 37 | 146 | 171 | 289 | 417 | 28 | 11 | 428 | 505 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 80 | 53 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 5 | SW 12 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 20 | SW 10 | W 5 | SW 19 | — | SW 18 | W 6 | W 12 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 175 | 291 | 188 | 58 | 47 | 78 | 78 | 11 | 67 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 58 | — | 50 | 6 | 3 | 129 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — |
| kJ | 23 | — | — | 23 | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 14 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 73 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 21 | 0 | 87 | 128 | 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.
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