Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 489 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cookin’ at Cottons Point for the next couple weeks.
First off, the first week is pretty flat and messy. We’ve got a consistent SW groundswell with real long periods – 14 to 20 seconds – and moderate energy (numbers between 225 and 690 for combined energy). But the wind’s mostly cross-on from the south or southeast, keeping the surface junky. The water’s running about 70°, which is a touch warmer than average for the season. Thursday the 10th sees a 3ft SW groundswell at a very long 16 seconds and combined energy of 558, but that south wind at 6 mph is cross-on, making it marginal. You’re looking at a stretch of several days where it’s just not worth getting wet.
Things perk up around the 18th. Friday morning the 18th has 2ft from the SW with a 19-second period (very long period groundswell) and combined energy hitting 501. Wind is light from the west at 6 mph, still cross-on but light enough to let the waves breathe a bit. The standout window is from the 19th to the 21st. Saturday the 19th morning shows 3ft SW swell with an 18-second period and combined energy of 572, and the wind shifts offshore from the SW at 6 mph. This is the one – glassy, offshore conditions on a reef and point that loves these long-period SW groundswells.
Cottons Point is a reef and point break, consistent, good for intermediates, and exposed to the SW. That long period groundswell will wrap in clean on the point. It can get crowded sometimes, so you won’t be alone.
By Monday the 21st, the swell holds around 3ft to 4ft from the SW, periods at 17 seconds, still with light offshore or light cross-on winds and combined energy peaking at 729. Strong energy for sure. This is the second best window. After that, into the 23rd and beyond, the swell stays around 3ft but the wind shifts more westerly and picks up to 9 mph, staying cross-on, and the quality fades.
The call is clear: Saturday the 19th morning at Cottons Point with the light offshore breeze and that long SW groundswell. It’s still a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s the one to aim for.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 502 | 483 | 471 | 360 | 309 | 211 | 164 | 160 | 147 | 130 | 156 | 108 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 127 | 114 | 386 | 347 | 366 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:10PM1.83m | 9:46AM1.66m | 9:50PM1.71m | 10:15AM1.70m | 10:31PM1.55m | 10:44AM1.70m | 11:13PM1.36m | 11:11AM1.66m | 11:59PM1.17m | 11:38AM1.58m | 00:58AM0.99m | 12:07PM1.48m | 2:45AM0.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:10PM0.23m | 3:40AM-0.05m | 3:52PM0.16m | 4:08AM0.08m | 4:33PM0.14m | 4:33AM0.24m | 5:15PM0.16m | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:59PM0.22m | 5:16AM0.57m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:28AM0.72m | 8:00PM0.38m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 7:04 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 502 | 483 | 471 | 360 | 309 | 211 | 164 | 51 | 107 | 61 | 156 | 89 | 54 | 79 | 55 | 53 | 23 | 386 | 347 | 366 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 10 | 15 | 42 | 28 | 24 | 33 | 32 | 160 | 147 | 87 | 85 | 108 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 122 | 88 | 11 | 10 | 82 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 10 | WSW 15 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 14 | S 9 | SSW 9 |
| kJ | 46 | 39 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 42 | 29 | 14 | 13 | 130 | 129 | 43 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 32 | 14 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 65 | 82 | 65 | 24 | 87 | 87 | 4 | 82 | 87 | 4 | 82 | 87 | 13 | 82 | 87 | 4 | 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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