Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s call it how it is—Cottons Point is in a quiet patch. This reef and point setup wants swells from the SW, and we’re getting that direction, but the height is just not there most days. The water is running warm at 73°F, which is 6°F above normal—very unusual, so you can go light on rubber.
Start Monday the 17th of August with a weak 3ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore from the W at 15 mph, making it choppy. Combined energy is 362 (moderate), and it’s poor. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th drop to 2-3ft, wind switches to onshore from the SW at 6 mph, and things get slightly cleaner but still marginal. Period stretches to 16-17 seconds—long groundswell, but tiny. Energy is 384 to 453 (moderate).
Thursday the 20th through Saturday the 22nd is a bust. Swell shrinks to 2-2ft, cross-onshore wind, chop. Marginal at best.
Second week starts Monday the 24th with a 2ft SW swell at 17 seconds—long, but small. Wind stays cross-onshore. Energy is 457 (moderate), surf is marginal.
The only flicker of hope comes Saturday the 29th of August into Sunday the 30th. Swell lifts to 3ft from the SSW at 15-17 seconds. Combined energy hits 707 Saturday morning (strong), staying in the 500-600 range after. Winds are still cross-onshore from the SSW at 6-10 mph, but Sunday afternoon sees onshore SW at 6 mph, which might clean it up.
It’s not a classic stand out—still marginal—but that 3ft SSW groundswell with 15-17 seconds on a reef/point is worth a look if you’re patient. Energy is solid (596-707), it’s just undersized.
Crowds can show up here sometimes, so keep an eye out.
Truth is, for most of the 16 days, the cross-onshore wind and small chop might make this spot more interesting for a kite than a paddle board. Surfers, hold out for the final weekend of August.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 330 | 264 | 257 | 232 | 243 | 272 | 377 | 387 | 249 | 236 | 236 | 175 | 156 | 137 | 135 | 92 | 123 | 218 | 177 | 155 | 269 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 12:47PM1.51m | 1:15AM1.05m | 1:28PM1.45m | 2:46AM0.87m | 2:22PM1.40m | 3:41PM1.37m | 8:16AM0.98m | 5:05PM1.40m | 8:13AM1.05m | 6:07PM1.49m | 8:24AM1.11m | 6:54PM1.59m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:30PM0.43m | 6:40AM0.56m | 8:50PM0.46m | 6:55AM0.73m | 10:43PM0.43m | 00:16AM0.32m | 9:51AM0.97m | 1:08AM0.21m | 11:54AM0.93m | 1:45AM0.11m | 12:49PM0.84m | 2:15AM0.03m | |||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 23 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 330 | 264 | 257 | 38 | 42 | 272 | 377 | 387 | 249 | 236 | 236 | 175 | 156 | 137 | 135 | 92 | 123 | 218 | 137 | 135 | 269 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 18 | W 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | W 10 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 24 | 63 | 42 | 232 | 243 | 39 | 60 | 29 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 5 | 81 | 51 | 21 | 81 | 89 | 18 | 177 | 155 | 199 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 20 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 19 | WSW 19 | WNW 12 | W 5 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 4 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 2 | 114 | 98 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 57 | 35 | 14 | 5 | 49 | 51 | 29 | 53 | 58 | 86 | 84 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | W 11 | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 21 | 6 | — | — | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 88 | 0 | 82 | 205 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 21 | 0 |
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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