Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with 1,347 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period with S 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cottons Point in the next 16 days are 1.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’re looking at a bit of a quiet stretch ahead at Cottons Point. The first real window of decent surf kicks off this Sunday morning, the 6th of September, and it’s the standout of the whole run, so let’s get straight to it.
Sunday morning the 6th sees a solid 6ft S swell rolling in with a long 14-second period. That’s proper groundswell, packing moderate-to-strong energy (1321). The wind is a light 9 mph from the north, blowing cross-offshore, which will keep the face nice and clean. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. This is the best you’ll see for a while – it’s a quality option for experienced surfers, no doubt. If you can get out there, do it.
Sunday afternoon the 6th is still good, with the swell easing a touch to 5ft from the S, 13-second period, and the wind dropping to 6 mph from the NNW, still cross-off. Energy stays strong (1306). Clean conditions, but the morning is the pick.
Now, from Monday the 7th onwards, things go downhill fast. Monday morning is 6ft from the SSW, but the wind swings to a 9 mph cross-onshore from the WNW, making it choppy. Energy drops to moderate (1021). Not worth the paddle. Monday afternoon gets worse with 16 mph cross-shore wind, and the swell drops to 5ft. The rest of the week is a write-off – Tuesday and Wednesday see swell sizes falling below 3ft, with weak energy (down to 417 by Wednesday afternoon) and persistent cross-onshore winds.
From Thursday the 10th through to the end of the forecast, we’re in a long stretch of small, weak surf. Heights sit between 1ft and 3ft, with energy figures mostly in the 200s and 300s – that’s weak. Winds are generally light cross-onshore or onshore, and while there are a few longer period swells (16 to 19 seconds) sneaking in from the SW, they’re too small to do anything with. There’s a brief uptick in energy on Saturday the 19th (617) with a 3ft SW swell and 18-second period, and light onshore wind, but it’s marginal at best. Honestly, after Sunday the 6th, you’re looking at a solid two-week gap of poor surf.
So, bottom line: get on it this Sunday morning, 6th of September, for the only real session on offer. After that, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 29°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1094 | 1225 | 737 | 593 | 947 | 669 | 373 | 282 | 256 | 140 | 173 | 278 | 419 | 547 | 502 | 483 | 400 | 318 | 309 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:24AM1.14m | 5:56PM1.74m | 7:51AM1.26m | 6:54PM1.85m | 8:19AM1.38m | 7:43PM1.91m | 8:47AM1.49m | 8:28PM1.91m | 9:17AM1.59m | 9:10PM1.83m | 9:46AM1.66m | 9:50PM1.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:28PM0.34m | 3:11AM-0.15m | 3:10PM0.23m | 3:40AM-0.05m | 3:52PM0.16m | 4:08AM0.08m | ||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:01 | — |
mm | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 22 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 1094 | 1225 | 737 | 593 | 947 | 669 | 292 | 251 | 256 | 140 | 148 | 278 | 419 | 547 | 502 | 483 | 400 | 318 | 309 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | W 6 | W 6 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 |
| kJ | 45 | 32 | 566 | 498 | 57 | 57 | 373 | 282 | 195 | 82 | 173 | 71 | 82 | 39 | 28 | 50 | 65 | 45 | 29 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | SW 20 | W 12 | WSW 11 | — | W 11 | W 4 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 12 | SW 8 | S 10 | SW 7 | S 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 15 | 3 | 11 | — | 2 | 9 | 81 | 81 | 130 | 96 | 85 | 46 | 29 | 46 | 15 | 19 | 7 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 10 | — | W 4 | W 10 | W 4 | WNW 4 | W 5 | W 4 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 49 | — | 7 | 17 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 15 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 87 | 11 | 11 | 71 | 0 | 28 | 67 | 82 | 82 | 65 | 4 | 65 | 65 | 4 |
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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