Cottons Point surfForecast / CAL – Orange County / USA

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 pm Sunday 28 Dec 2025 PST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cottons Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
16.9° C
(Which is 1.9°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cottons Point this week:

The surf forecast for Cottons Point over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cottons Point in the next 12 days are 1.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 04) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Dec 29) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (PST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Wed 31st Dec)1ft (0.3m) 13s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 2nd Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 7s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 4th Jan)4ft (1.2m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.3
W
0.2
W
0.2
W
0.1
S
0.1
SW
0.1
SW
0.2
WNW
0.2
WNW
1.1
S
1.2
S
1.3
SSW
0.9
SW
1.1
SSW
1.1
SW
0.7
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.1
WSW
1
W
1.2
W
Period(s) (?)988771415151313887787767912
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)553311774881817157163163891311214197140173416
Wind
(km/h)
10
WNW
15
NE
10
NE
10
N
15
NE
10
NE
10
NNW
10
E
5
SE
10
ENE
15
E
15
SSW
10
SSE
10
SE
15
SE
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
SW
0
SSW
5
WNW
15
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crossoffoffcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
oncrosscrosscrosscrosscrossonglassglasscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:03AM
1.59
5:19PM
0.91
4:51AM
1.75
6:33PM
0.97
5:39AM
1.89
7:34PM
1.05
6:27AM
2.00
8:21PM
1.12
7:16AM
2.06
9:06PM
1.16
8:04AM
2.08
9:48PM
1.20
8:51AM
2.02
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:10PM
0.45
11:28AM
0.16
10:09PM
0.54
12:23PM
-0.09
11:07PM
0.59
1:13PM
-0.30
12:06AM
0.62
1:59PM
-0.45
1:00AM
0.59
2:44PM
-0.52
1:52AM
0.55
3:27PM
-0.53
2:41AM
0.52
Sun
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunrise--6:52--6:52--6:54--6:54--6:54--6:54--6:54
Sunset4:50--4:51--4:52--4:52--4:52--4:53--4:54--
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
--------1165---2421-1
Temp. °C191620211822232120171717181718171717161616
Feels °C (?)151216171219201518151515171616171616171513
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 12 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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