Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 759 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
G’day, Rusty here, looking at the Cottons Point forecast for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a tough stretch to start. The swell is hanging around but it’s coming in with a lot of cross-onshore wind and the quality just isn’t there for a proper session. We’ve got a real dry spell from now right through until the morning of Saturday the 18th of July, with nothing really worth paddling out for. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 68°F.
Let’s talk about the one true standout – and it’s a nice little flash in the pan. On the morning of Saturday the 18th of July, we get a clean set-up at Cottons Point. The wind goes glassy out of the west at just 3 mph – that’s an absolute treat. You’re looking at a 3ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 18 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 867. That long period will push through with some proper shape and long gaps between sets, so paddling out won’t be a fight. This is a reef and point break, which is perfect for that kind of groundswell, and it’s set to be consistent. As for crowds, it can get busy here sometimes, so get in early.
Then we roll into Sunday the 19th of July, and the swell bumps up to 5ft from the south, period dropping a little to 14 seconds, and the energy jumps to strong (1235). The wind is a light cross-onshore from the SSW at 6 mph, so it’s not as clean as the day before. The break is still consistent, but you’ll have a bit of small wind ripple on it. It’s a solid option for intermediate surfers; keep in mind that 5ft with that much energy can feel a bit more powerful.
Outside of those two days, the rest of the window is pretty average. From Monday the 20th of July onward, the swell drops back to under 3ft, wind stays cross-onshore, and the energy fades into the weak to moderate range (around 343 to 578). Not much to write home about.
So, mark your calendar for the morning of the 18th of July if you want clean, glassy lines. The 19th has more size and punch but comes with a little chop. Otherwise, give it a miss.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 603 | 491 | 667 | 651 | 675 | 545 | 481 | 481 | 362 | 411 | 405 | 344 | 358 | 210 | 316 | 289 | 220 | 312 | 176 | 217 | 119 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:27PM1.42m | 3:52AM0.90m | 4:19PM1.54m | 5:43AM0.87m | 5:13PM1.68m | 7:10AM0.93m | 6:07PM1.82m | 8:12AM1.02m | 7:01PM1.95m | 9:01AM1.10m | 7:53PM2.06m | 9:44AM1.17m | 8:43PM2.11m | 10:25AM1.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:29PM0.51m | 9:13AM0.51m | 11:52PM0.29m | 10:15AM0.62m | 00:56AM0.05m | 11:25AM0.69m | 1:49AM-0.16m | 12:32PM0.69m | 2:38AM-0.33m | 1:33PM0.66m | 3:23AM-0.44m | 2:28PM0.60m | 4:07AM-0.47m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 |
 | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | 8:00 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 |
Feels °C | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | W 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 603 | 102 | 667 | 651 | 675 | 545 | 481 | 481 | 362 | 411 | 405 | 344 | 358 | 210 | 316 | 289 | 220 | 312 | 176 | 217 | 119 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | SSW 18 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 21 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 44 | 491 | 114 | 63 | 102 | 139 | 92 | 65 | 40 | 38 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 153 | 68 | 107 | 33 | 18 | 120 | 133 | 58 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | — | — | S 9 | S 10 | — | S 11 | S 21 | — | S 19 | S 19 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 21 | S 16 | W 15 | SW 19 | W 4 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 220 | 140 | 118 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 9 | — | 66 | 30 | 6 | 5 | 18 | 46 | 4 | 59 | 3 | 43 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | W 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 4 | 87 | 87 | 36 | 82 | 65 | 4 | 82 | 82 | 4 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 88 | 87 | 0 | 52 | 11 | 0 | 87 |
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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