Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
23.3° C
3.6° 

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 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 499 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Mon 17th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Mon 17th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Most Powerful11AM (Sun 16th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s ahead at Cottons Point over the next couple weeks. I’ll be straight with you—this is a slow period, no two ways about it. The forecast starts on Sunday the 16th with a tiny window, but most of the run is flat and weak, with a long stretch of days where you’re better off staying on the beach. The water is sitting at 74°, which is 7° warmer than usual for this time of year—very unusual, so leave the wetsuit at home.

Sunday 16th August is your only real chance early on. The morning delivers a 3ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period—that’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy hits 526 (moderate). The wind is light cross-onshore at 10 km/h, which will put a few bumps on the surface. The tide might also mess with the shape, so it’s a marginal call. This reef-and-point break loves a SW direction, so the swell angle is good. If you’re an intermediate surfer and keen to get wet, Sunday morning is the time to go.

After that, things fall apart. From Sunday afternoon all the way through to Saturday the 29th, swell drops below 3ft, mostly hanging around 1ft to 3ft. That’s an 11-day stretch of poor to marginal surf—winds stay light onshore or cross-onshore, and wave energy is in the low hundreds (198 to 423). There’s nothing here for a paddle surfer. With those weak, short-period leftovers and choppy texture, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than anything else.

Then, on Saturday 29th August and Sunday 30th August, we get a little pulse again. Swell bumps back to 3ft–3ft from the SSW, with periods around 15–16 seconds and combined energy reaching 591 (moderate). It’s the closest thing to a highlight in the second week, but it’s still marginal—cross-onshore winds at 10–15 km/h, so don’t expect glassy conditions. Saturday morning is the best bet, but it’s thin.

Cottons Point usually breaks pretty consistently around here, but when a flat spell like this moves in, it’s just how it goes. Forecasts can shift, so keep an eye on the horizon.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
0
0
2
0
1
2
0
0
2
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
499
443
367
330
264
257
232
243
272
377
387
249
236
236
175
156
137
98
92
167
218
Wind (km/h)
10
W
15
WNW
5
WNW
10
W
15
W
5
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
0
NNE
10
WSW
10
WSW
0
SW
10
SW
10
SW
5
SSE
10
WSW
10
SSW
0
SSE
10
WSW
10
WSW
0
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
12:11PM1.55m
00:18AM1.28m
12:47PM1.51m
1:15AM1.05m
1:28PM1.45m
2:46AM0.87m
2:22PM1.40m
3:41PM1.37m
8:16AM0.98m
5:05PM1.40m
8:13AM1.05m
6:07PM1.49m
Low Tide
6:30PM0.37m
6:17AM0.37m
7:30PM0.43m
6:40AM0.56m
8:50PM0.46m
6:55AM0.73m
10:43PM0.43m
00:16AM0.32m
9:51AM0.97m
1:08AM0.21m
11:54AM0.93m
1:45AM0.11m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
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>
6:13
6:13
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:35
7:34
7:32
7:31
7:30
7:29
7:28
 mm
Temp °C
22
23
21
24
25
22
25
25
23
26
26
24
26
26
23
27
26
24
27
27
26
Feels °C
23
23
22
24
25
23
26
25
25
27
26
26
27
27
25
28
26
26
27
27
28
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  • 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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