Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 12 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
20.1° C
1.2° 

Cottons Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cottons Point surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, S swell with 699 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 12th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 18th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 19th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.


G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this 16-day window for Cottons Point is a tough one. We start pretty flat and messy, and it takes a long while before anything worth paddling out for shows up. The whole first week is a write-off, with poor surf conditions day after day. The swell energy stays moderate, around 250 to 450 (combined energy), but the wind’s always cross-on or onshore, and the wave comment is consistently “poor surf conditions” or “marginal.” It’s not until around Wednesday 23 July that we see a real change, and even then it comes with strings attached.

The water temp on Sunday 12 July is 68°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a nice little bonus if you do get wet. But honestly, for the first ten days, you’re looking at flat, choppy, or just unrideable stuff. From Sunday 12 July right through to Tuesday 22 July, there’s nothing I’d recommend. The swell height hovers around 1 ft to 4 ft, but the winds are never clean – mostly cross-on from WSW, W, or S at 6-12 mph, and the period is all over the shop. Sunday 12 July morning has a 3 ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, but with “poor surf conditions” and a score of 0, it’s a no-go.

The real standout – the only one worth talking about – comes Thursday 23 July and Friday 24 July. Thursday morning sees a solid 7 ft S swell at 14 seconds, with combined energy hitting 1647, which is strong to very strong. That’s a serious push of water. But here’s the catch: the wind is cross-on from WSW at 6 mph, so while it’s not howling, it’s not glassy either. The wave comment is “marginal surf forecast,” and the score is a 3 – the best we get all window. That 7 ft is gonna be too big for beginners, and with a 14-second period, it’s groundswell. At a reef and point setup like Cottons Point, that long-period swell should wrap in nicely and offer some proper shape, but the cross-on breeze will mess with take-offs. For experts only that morning. Friday 24 July stays similar, with a 6 ft SSW swell at 13 seconds and combined energy of 1443 – still very strong – but again cross-on winds at 9 mph. The afternoon drops to 6 ft S swell, same period. Both days are “marginal,” so expect lumpy faces but some grunty waves if you’re keen.

After that, Saturday 25 July afternoon shows a glimmer: 4 ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, with the wind swinging to onshore from SW at 3 mph – almost glassy. Combined energy is 664, moderate. That afternoon could offer cleaner lines, though the swell is dropping. Sunday 26 July morning has a 2 ft SW swell at a very long 20-second period – that’s proper groundswell, with long waits between sets. Combined energy 594, still moderate. But it’s onshore and light, so might be a sneaky session for a longboard or a mid-length.

Crowds at Cottons Point are described as “sometimes” a problem, so on these better days – especially the 23rd and 24th – expect a few locals out, but it won’t be a zoo. This spot is fairly consistent normally, but this forecast is a long dry spell before the juice turns on. Don’t hold your breath for the first ten days, but if you’re an expert, mark your calendar for Thursday 23 July morning.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.7
S
13
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.5
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.4
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
1
W
8
0.9
W
10
0.4
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.6
S
16
1.1
S
14
1.2
S
13
1.6
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
316
316
277
312
176
213
133
154
194
107
96
161
133
175
126
181
83
183
508
513
699
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
10
WSW
5
WSW
10
W
10
WSW
5
W
15
WSW
15
W
5
S
5
SW
10
WSW
15
SSE
15
S
15
SSE
15
SE
20
S
20
S
5
E
15
W
20
WNW
5
WNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
9:01AM1.10m
7:53PM2.06m
9:44AM1.17m
8:43PM2.11m
10:25AM1.23m
9:32PM2.10m
11:06AM1.29m
10:19PM2.02m
11:47AM1.34m
11:06PM1.86m
12:29PM1.38m
11:54PM1.64m
1:12PM1.41m
00:44AM1.39m
Low Tide
1:33PM0.66m
3:23AM-0.44m
2:28PM0.60m
4:07AM-0.47m
3:20PM0.54m
4:49AM-0.44m
4:12PM0.50m
5:29AM-0.35m
5:04PM0.49m
6:07AM-0.21m
5:59PM0.50m
6:44AM-0.03m
7:01PM0.53m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:50
5:50
5:50
5:52
5:52
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:01
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:00
7:59
 mm
Temp °C
22
23
20
23
24
22
24
25
23
26
26
24
24
24
21
23
23
23
25
26
23
Feels °C
22
23
22
24
24
24
23
24
25
27
26
24
25
23
20
23
22
24
25
25
24
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 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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