Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 487 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period with S 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 (Aug 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 11PM. 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+) | 11PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 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 check out what’s coming down the line for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, it’s a pretty bleak outlook for Cottons Point. There’s no surf worth talking about from the start, and that quiet spell hangs around for the whole 16 days. The first mention of anything doesn’t come until Saturday, August 1st, and even then, it’s only a so-so call.
That Saturday afternoon has a small 3ft SSW swell with a light onshore breeze. The water is running way warmer than normal for this time of year at 75°, almost 8° above average, so it feels like a warm bath. The combined energy is moderate (387). But the forecast calls it marginal – not the kind of day you rush out for.
From Sunday, August 2nd, all the way through to Sunday, August 16th, it’s just one poor surf report after another. The swell stays tiny, between 1ft and 3ft, mostly from the SSW or SW. There are some long-period swells in there, up to 20 seconds, which usually means better shape, but with that little height, it’s a waste. The wind is light to gentle, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s not even clean. Around August 7th to the 9th, the combined energy jumps into the 400s (447, 429, 442), but it’s still rated as poor surf. All that energy, and nothing to show for it.
One tiny glimmer is Saturday morning, August 15th. You get a 3ft SSW swell with clean onshore wind, and the combined energy hits 492 – moderate to strong. But by the afternoon, a cross-onshore breeze chops it up, and both sessions are called poor or marginal. Sunday, August 16th morning is also marginal, but a moderate afternoon breeze from the WNW closes the door completely.
There are no standouts here. Not a single day that delivers proper waves. If you’re into kiting, some of those cross-onshore afternoons might be worth a go, but for a surfer, this is a long, flat stretch. It’s pretty normal for the area when the swell window goes quiet. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a bust.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 13 | S 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 289 | 119 | 91 | 88 | 83 | 80 | 91 | 91 | 85 | 107 | 104 | 162 | 127 | 160 | 113 | 114 | 126 | 329 | 243 | 348 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:06PM1.55m | 12:14PM1.39m | 11:46PM1.37m | 12:48PM1.44m | 00:36AM1.16m | 1:29PM1.48m | 1:54AM0.95m | 2:22PM1.52m | 4:05AM0.83m | 3:33PM1.57m | 6:25AM0.88m | 4:49PM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:17PM0.54m | 5:54AM0.09m | 6:05PM0.53m | 6:19AM0.23m | 7:05PM0.52m | 6:45AM0.38m | 8:25PM0.49m | 7:15AM0.55m | 10:07PM0.40m | 7:58AM0.70m | 11:44PM0.22m | 9:36AM0.82m | 00:51AM0.02m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 12 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 13 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 289 | 72 | 75 | 75 | 23 | 25 | 83 | 13 | 14 | 107 | 104 | 162 | 127 | 160 | 113 | 114 | 84 | 329 | 111 | 348 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 13 | SW 14 | W 6 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 12 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 12 | W 5 | S 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 19 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 21 | 119 | 91 | 19 | 83 | 80 | 91 | 54 | 85 | 36 | 11 | 8 | 34 | 7 | 25 | 79 | 126 | 114 | 243 | 124 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 13 | W 6 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | S 10 | SW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | W 13 | W 4 | W 5 | W 12 | W 15 |
| kJ | 77 | 88 | 20 | 88 | 47 | 23 | 23 | 91 | 58 | 8 | 40 | 6 | 6 | 37 | 37 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | 14 | — | — | 8 | — | 8 | 7 | — | — | 4 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 65 | 87 | 88 | 25 |
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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