Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 18 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
23.2°C
3.7° 

Cottons Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cottons Point surf forecast from 18 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SW swell with 618 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 19s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 18th Sep)2ft (0.6m) 19s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 20th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 18s
Most Powerful 5PM (Mon 21st Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
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
2
1
2
2
1
3
1
1
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.9
SW
18
0.9
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
1
SW
17
1.1
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
16
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
0.9
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
303
303
234
379
375
375
522
522
499
553
618
443
416
416
421
400
318
309
297
288
288
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
15
W
0
SW
10
SW
10
WSW
0
SE
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
S
10
SSW
10
SW
5
ESE
10
SW
15
WSW
0
WSW
10
WSW
15
WSW
5
W
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
2:20PM1.29m
7:59AM1.06m
4:25PM1.30m
7:35AM1.13m
5:38PM1.39m
7:40AM1.20m
6:27PM1.50m
7:53AM1.28m
7:05PM1.58m
8:09AM1.37m
7:40PM1.64m
8:28AM1.48m
8:15PM1.66m
Low Tide
11:29PM0.35m
9:58AM1.05m
00:26AM0.26m
11:54AM0.95m
1:02AM0.17m
12:37PM0.81m
1:31AM0.10m
1:12PM0.66m
1:56AM0.06m
1:45PM0.52m
2:20AM0.05m
2:19PM0.38m
2:44AM0.06m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:37
6:37
6:37
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:52
6:51
6:50
6:47
6:46
6:45
6:44
 mm
Temp °C
21
22
20
22
22
21
22
22
20
21
21
19
21
22
20
23
23
20
23
23
21
Feels °C
21
21
20
23
22
23
23
22
22
21
20
20
21
21
22
24
23
22
24
23
23
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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