Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

First things first, the water is sitting at 74°F which is a good 7°F warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you’ll be feeling that difference for sure.

Honestly, right now the surf is a bit of a struggle. Don’t be fooled by the swell energy showing up – that’s a moderate to strong punch of energy (553), but the wind is a cross-onshore breeze at 9 mph, and it’s messing up the surface. The waves are a weak 3 ft from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds, but the poor conditions mean it’s not really worth paddling out. That’s pretty much the case through Wednesday and Thursday. The swell hangs around 3 ft to 4 ft, but it’s always cross-onshore and choppy.

Friday morning the 24th sees a drop in height to 2 ft, but the period jumps to a very long 24 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and with the combined energy moderate (949), it’ll have some push. The wind is a light cross-onshore breeze, so it’s not clean, but you might be able to find a corner. The same goes for Saturday the 25th – 3 ft from the SW at 21 seconds, with light cross-onshore winds. It’s marginal, but maybe a sneaky session for a patient surfer.

Sunday the 26th is a write-off. 4 ft of swell, but the wind picks up to 12 mph and it’s cross-onshore, making it choppy and poor. Not worth it.

Then we get a bit of a shift. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th have the wind turning offshore. Monday morning sees 4 ft from the SW at 18 seconds, with a light offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate to strong (974). It’s still a bit of a gamble on the tide, but this is a step up. Tuesday the 28th is the best bet in the first week: 5 ft from the SSW at 17 seconds, with a light offshore wind. The energy is strong (1156). This is a reef and point setup, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. It’s a standout for the period, but it’s still a bit marginal for a full recommendation.

Thursday the 30th sees conditions drop back to poor with cross-onshore winds, so that’s a bust.

Now, look out for Saturday the 1st of August. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the S at 14 seconds, and the energy is very strong (1302). The wind is light offshore in the morning, but it swings cross-onshore in the afternoon. That morning session, with the offshore wind, is the true standout of the whole 16-day window. It’s a solid 6 ft, so it’s getting a bit chunky for beginners, but it’s a great opportunity for intermediates. The period is 14 seconds, which is a solid groundswell, and it’ll hold up well.

After that, Sunday the 2nd drops to 5 ft, and the rest of the week fades out to small, weak waves with poor winds. The last few days of the outlook are a write-off for surf.

So, your best shouts are Tuesday the 28th for a clean, offshore session with decent energy, and the real standout is Saturday morning the 1st of August – that’s the one to circle. Crowds are “sometimes” at Cottons Point, so you might have some company, but it’s not usually a zoo.

Rusty.

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