Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, S swell with 1,622 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 2.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s see what we’ve got on the cards for Cottons Point. This is a reef and point set-up, so it’s got that classic structure that loves a bit of period. The water’s sitting at 76°F, which is a whole 9°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s properly unusual, you’d be mad not to enjoy that warmth.
The next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a slow start with some marginal surf, but don’t write it off. The first real standout that catches my eye is the run from the 6th of September, Sunday morning. We’ve got a solid 6ft swell from the S, with a period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy reading is a strong 1489. That’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light cross-shore from the NW at 3 mph, which is about as good as it gets for keeping things clean. The only catch is that it’s a bit on the bigger side for beginners, but for intermediates, that’s the pick of the window. The SW direction is right in the optimum for this spot, so those lines should be setting up nicely.
Following that, Sunday afternoon and Monday morning hold a similar 7ft swell from the S, but the wind gets a touch cross-onshore, so it won’t be quite as glassy. Still, the energy is huge (1647 and 1514) so there’s plenty of push. This is the best run of the whole forecast.
After that, the swell starts to drop back down through the second week. By the 10th of September, we’re looking at 3ft swell from the SW, with a long 17-second period, but the winds are a bit more onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s a bit more of a chop-fest. The energy is moderate (646). It’s surfable, but not the stand-out.
The real highlight is the morning of the 6th. If you can get out there, that’s the session to aim for. The combination of that long-period groundswell, light wind, and the reef structure should give you some proper waves. Crowds are possible at Cottons, so get in early for the best of it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 23°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 188 | 399 | 651 | 587 | 559 | 620 | 506 | 666 | 763 | 1442 | 1622 | 1379 | 1505 | 1419 | 1230 | 1011 | 838 | 608 | 291 | 278 | 350 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 8:47AM1.49m | 8:28PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:28PM0.34m | 3:11AM-0.15m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 |
| kJ | 140 | 399 | 651 | 587 | 559 | 620 | 506 | 534 | 763 | 1442 | 1622 | 1379 | 1505 | 1419 | 1230 | 1011 | 838 | 608 | 291 | 220 | 175 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 10 | W 6 | W 6 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 16 | S 13 | WSW 10 | W 12 | SSW 15 | W 5 | WSW 11 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 5 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 35 | 56 | 31 | 24 | 150 | 173 | 284 | 666 | 495 | 32 | 3 | 596 | 9 | 11 | 17 | 152 | 49 | 18 | 214 | 278 | 350 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 6 | WSW 11 | SW 20 | — | WSW 11 | — | — | — | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 16 | SW 20 | SSW 12 | W 6 |
| kJ | 188 | 58 | 47 | 78 | 78 | 58 | 67 | 5 | 44 | 15 | — | 11 | — | — | — | 44 | 42 | 130 | 97 | 30 | 31 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | W 11 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | W 5 | — | W 6 | W 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 22 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 17 | — | 20 | 8 | 8 | 8 | — | 15 | 21 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 935 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 1 | 11 | 70 | 11 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 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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