Cottons Point surfForecast / CAL – Orange County / USA

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 am Friday 24 Apr 2026 PDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cottons Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
18.5° C
(Which is 3.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 (Apr 28) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s is also forecast. 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 0.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 24) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Tue 28th Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Tue 28th Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Most Powerful11AM (Fri 24th Apr)2.5ft (0.7m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
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
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
S
14
0.6
S
14
0.6
S
13
0.6
S
13
0.5
S
13
0.4
SSW
12
1
W
5
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
13
0.3
W
14
0.3
S
18
0.4
SW
13
0.4
S
12
0.3
S
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
16
0.3
SW
16
0.4
SW
15
1
W
6
1
W
7
1.1
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
206
132
128
126
85
48
51
45
50
36
55
62
46
46
89
67
38
55
75
93
144
Wind (km/h)
15
S
15
SSW
10
SW
15
SW
20
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
15
WNW
10
W
20
W
5
NW
10
W
15
W
0
N
10
W
20
WNW
15
W
15
WSW
20
W
10
SW
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
6:02PM1.15m
4:54AM1.33m
6:37PM1.29m
6:03AM1.32m
7:07PM1.42m
6:59AM1.31m
7:35PM1.53m
7:47AM1.28m
8:01PM1.61m
8:30AM1.24m
8:26PM1.66m
9:10AM1.18m
8:50PM1.69m
Low Tide
11:07AM-0.05m
11:20PM0.67m
12:02PM-0.04m
00:28AM0.48m
12:44PM-0.00m
1:19AM0.29m
1:18PM0.06m
2:01AM0.13m
1:48PM0.14m
2:38AM0.01m
2:14PM0.24m
3:13AM-0.08m
2:38PM0.34m
3:47AM-0.13m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:27
7:28
7:29
7:29
7:30
7:30
7:31
4
Temp °C
17
17
16
16
16
15
16
16
15
16
16
15
17
17
16
18
18
17
16
16
15
15
14
15
14
12
12
11
11
10
13
12
13
15
15
16
17
16
14
13
12
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
W
7
0.7
W
7
0.8
W
6
0.7
W
6
0.5
S
13
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
SSW
12
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
13
0.6
W
5
0.3
S
11
0.5
W
5
0.4
W
5
0.3
S
12
0.5
W
5
0.4
W
5
0.3
SW
16
0.4
SW
15
1
W
6
1
W
7
1.1
W
8
Energy kJ
61
48
47
36
85
48
48
45
50
20
22
10
8
25
10
7
38
55
75
93
144
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
S
14
0.6
S
14
0.6
S
13
0.6
S
13
0.3
W
15
0.3
W
14
0.3
W
14
0.3
SW
15
0.3
SW
15
0.3
S
11
0.3
SW
16
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
12
0.3
S
16
0.4
SW
16
0.4
S
15
0.3
SW
12
0.2
S
13
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
14
0.4
SW
14
Energy kJ
206
132
128
126
39
37
37
35
34
21
42
42
44
46
89
67
23
14
74
54
49
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
W
13
0.3
SW
15
0.3
W
16
0.3
W
16
0.2
WSW
13
0.2
S
14
0.3
SW
13
0.2
W
13
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
14
0.3
S
18
0.4
SW
13
0.3
S
16
0.3
SW
14
0.3
S
11
0.4
SW
16
0.3
S
15
0.2
S
11
0.3
S
13
0.2
S
14
0.2
S
10
Energy kJ
32
33
44
43
17
16
27
14
32
36
55
62
46
29
22
63
38
9
31
14
8
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
W
6
0.8
W
4
1
W
5
0.8
W
5
0.8
W
5
0.6
W
5
0.5
W
5
0.5
W
5
0.7
W
5
Energy kJ
31
22
51
33
34
18
12
11
22
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
Distance (km)
87
128
87
87
561
114
253
561
11
87
87
0
87
561
0
87
561
87
205
561
87
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United States
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
8
6
6
5
6
7
9
5
6
5
5
9
7
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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