Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
23.1° C
3.9° 

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 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,133 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 1.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 22nd Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 21s
Most Powerful11AM (Tue 28th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

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.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
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
3
2
1
2
1
0
2
2
1
2
0
0
2
1
2
3
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
1.2
S
13
1
S
13
1
S
13
0.7
SW
24
0.6
SSW
12
0.9
SW
21
0.9
SW
21
0.8
SW
21
1.1
SW
19
1.1
SW
19
1.1
SW
18
1.1
SW
18
1.2
SW
18
1.2
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
17
1.4
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
437
394
400
475
339
350
563
123
664
664
527
863
863
743
719
926
883
771
1133
1020
938
Wind (km/h)
15
W
15
W
5
SE
10
WSW
15
W
5
S
10
SSW
15
SSW
5
S
10
WSW
10
W
5
WSW
20
S
15
S
5
S
10
SSW
10
SW
5
SSW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
S
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
4:40PM1.47m
7:14AM0.88m
5:36PM1.51m
8:16AM0.96m
6:26PM1.57m
8:48AM1.02m
7:09PM1.64m
9:12AM1.07m
7:47PM1.70m
9:35AM1.11m
8:23PM1.76m
9:59AM1.15m
8:55PM1.80m
Low Tide
9:18AM0.71m
00:41AM0.28m
10:30AM0.81m
1:32AM0.15m
11:48AM0.85m
2:10AM0.05m
12:47PM0.83m
2:43AM-0.03m
1:32PM0.78m
3:13AM-0.08m
2:10PM0.72m
3:42AM-0.12m
2:46PM0.66m
4:09AM-0.14m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:56
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:57
7:55
7:55
7:54
7:53
7:53
7:52
 mm
Temp °C
23
24
22
26
27
24
25
25
23
26
27
25
24
24
22
25
24
22
25
25
22
Feels °C
24
25
24
27
27
26
26
25
25
27
28
28
24
24
23
26
24
24
26
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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