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.

It’s a quiet start, and to be honest, the first week or so is looking pretty marginal. We’ve got a long period SW groundswell rolling in, but it’s small and the wind is a bit of a pest. There’s energy in the water, but the conditions aren't playing ball for clean, rideable waves. The best bet will be to wait it out, because the second week looks like it could offer something a bit more worthwhile.

Cottons Point (reef and point) is the only spot on the radar. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, so no major surprises there.

The first real pulse of swell comes through on Sunday the 19th of July. It’s a long period SW groundswell, around 2.6ft, with a period of 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, but it’s small. The morning has a WSW wind blowing straight onshore, which is a killer for the shape. The combined energy reads 601 (moderate), but the wind is just making a mess of it for paddle surfing. The afternoon is similar, still cross-on, so it’s a pass.

Monday the 20th is more of the same. Another 3.0ft SW swell with a 15 second period, but the wind is cross-onshore most of the day. The energy is moderate (603-608), but the conditions are choppy. It’s looking like a day for the kites, not the surfboards.

The pattern holds through Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd. Swell bumps up to 3.3ft, but the direction shifts a touch more south and the period drops to 14-16 seconds. The wind is a light cross-on, which is a tiny bit better, but the energy is dropping (down to 438 in the afternoon). It’s still marginal.

Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th see the swell drop back to 2.3-2.6ft, but with a very long period again (24 seconds on Friday). That’s a really long period swell, which at a point break like this could be interesting, but it’s still small. The energy on Friday morning is 869 (moderate), but with a cross-on wind, it’s just not clean.

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th are a slight step up. The swell is 3.0-3.6ft from the SW, with a period of 19-21 seconds. The energy is starting to build (1097-1135), and the wind is a light cross-on. This is still a “maybe” – the sets are few and far between with that long period, but if you time it right, you might snag a clean one.

Now, we’re getting into the better part of the run. Monday 27th of July is the first real highlight. The swell is 4.3-4.6ft from the SSW to SW, with a 18-second period. The energy is strong (1191-1211), and the wind is finally light and straight onshore. This is the best looking day of the first week and a half. The size is manageable for intermediates, and the long period will give some nice, lined-up waves on the point. It’s not a standout for experts, but for the average surfer, this is your window.

Tuesday 28th is still decent. 4.3ft SSW swell, period around 17 seconds, energy at 1058-1140. The wind is a bit more cross-on in the morning, but the afternoon goes light onshore. It’s a solid secondary option.

Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th are a mixed bag. The swell holds around 3.6-4.3ft, but the wind gets messy again on Wednesday. Thursday afternoon looks better with a light onshore breeze and a 3.9ft S swell.

Now, the big one. Friday 31st of July and Saturday 1st of August. This is where the ocean wakes up. A solid S swell builds to 7.5ft by Friday morning, with a 16-second period. The energy is pumping at 2524 (strong). The wind is a light cross-on from the W to WNW. This is getting into the expert zone. At 8.2ft in the afternoon, it’s too big for beginners. The combined energy is 2757. This is a powerful, long period S swell. On a point break, that’s going to be fast and hollow. The crowds will be a factor here, as it’s the best swell of the window. It’s a proper standout for experienced surfers.

Saturday 1st of August drops a bit, to 6.6-7.2ft from the S, with a 13-second period. Still big, and the energy is strong (1297-1708). The wind is lighter and cross-on. This is a close

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