
Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with 898 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s is also forecast. 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 21s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Cottons Point.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but don’t let that fool you. The first few days are looking pretty average, but the real story here is a solid run of groundswell that builds in the second week. The water is sitting at 70°F right now, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year – you’ll be in boardies or a light spring suit for sure.
Saturday 18th July through to Thursday 24th July is a bit of a grind. Swell is small, around 2ft to 3ft, and while the wind is light and often offshore or light cross-onshore, the wave quality is just not there. The combined energy is weak to moderate (around 445 to 897), and the forecast is calling it marginal or poor. A few sessions might be worth it for a longboard, but don’t get your hopes up.
Then things start to get interesting. From Friday 25th July morning, a proper long-period groundswell arrives. We’re talking 3ft from the SW with a period of 21 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1106 – that’s a real kick. The wind is light offshore, so it’s going to be glassy clean at the point. This is the first standout. The swell direction (SW) is right on the money for the optimum, and that long period means the waves will be well-shaped and powerful, but with longer gaps between sets. Cottons Point is a reef and point setup, so that long period will work a treat.
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July keep the momentum going. Swell holds around 3ft to 4ft, periods still in the 18-19 second range, with light offshore winds in the mornings. The energy is strong (961 to 1172). This is a solid window for intermediate surfers.
The best of the bunch, though, is shaping up for Monday 28th July. Morning sees 4ft of SSW groundswell at 17 seconds, with light SW offshore wind. The combined energy hits 1138 – strong. The waves will be clean, lined up, and have plenty of push. The only bummer is that crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so if you can get out early, you’ll be laughing.
By Tuesday 29th July, the wind swings to a cross-onshore SSE, and the quality slips a bit. Still rideable, but not as clean.
The last few days of the month and into August see a bigger pulse of swell, but the wind is a problem. Friday 31st July has 7ft of S swell, but the period drops to 14 seconds and the wind is cross-onshore. That’s heading into big and messy territory – more for experts, and even then, it’s going to be lumpy. Saturday 1st August is similar, with 6ft to 6ft and cross-onshore winds. The energy is very strong (above 1245), but with the wind and shorter period, it’s not going to be a classic Cottons session.
Sunday 2nd August fades out quickly, with the swell dropping to 4ft and the period shortening to 9 seconds. The energy is gone (389), and the wind is light but cross-onshore. Back to the longboard.
So, to sum it up: the best bet is Monday 28th July for the cleanest, most powerful morning session. Friday 25th July is a close second for that glassy, long-period opener. The rest of the first week is a write-off, and the last few days of July are big but messy. Get in the water while it’s clean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 21°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | SW 21 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
366 | 379 | 127 | 330 | 424 | 488 | 398 | 367 | 334 | 715 | 474 | 474 | 437 | 394 | 316 | 273 | 207 | 345 | 563 | 368 | 664 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:12PM1.41m | 00:44AM1.39m | 1:58PM1.43m | 1:45AM1.14m | 2:48PM1.44m | 3:09AM0.93m | 3:42PM1.45m | 5:11AM0.84m | 4:40PM1.47m | 7:14AM0.88m | 5:36PM1.51m | 8:16AM0.96m | 6:26PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:01PM0.53m | 7:19AM0.16m | 8:13PM0.55m | 7:54AM0.37m | 9:43PM0.52m | 8:31AM0.55m | 11:24PM0.42m | 9:18AM0.71m | 00:41AM0.28m | 10:30AM0.81m | 1:32AM0.15m | 11:48AM0.85m | 2:10AM0.05m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 7:59 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 13 |
366 | 379 | 81 | 330 | 336 | 488 | 240 | 188 | 334 | 715 | 474 | 474 | 437 | 394 | 316 | 273 | 207 | 345 | 309 | 289 | 372 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | S 13 | SW 17 | W 5 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | S 10 | W 5 | S 9 | SSW 8 | W 6 | SSE 14 | W 6 | W 7 | S 12 | W 6 | SW 24 | W 6 | SW 21 |
69 | 67 | 127 | 163 | 424 | 5 | 398 | 367 | 94 | 9 | 59 | 39 | 27 | 67 | 47 | 42 | 139 | 40 | 563 | 23 | 664 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 11 | W 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | S 14 | S 12 | W 5 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 14 | S 12 | SW 26 | SW 26 | W 6 | SSW 24 | W 6 |
10 | 44 | 56 | 108 | 11 | 21 | 20 | 35 | 175 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 35 | 9 | 136 | 153 | 171 | 105 | 25 | 368 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 5 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 25 | — | — | 24 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 82 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 4 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 30 |
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.










