Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with 932 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Cottons Point.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the next week and a half is looking pretty flat and average. The swell energy is weak, sitting around 326 to 745, and the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, chopping things up. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing special there.
The first real standout in the whole run is Thursday, the 3rd of September. Thursday morning is the one to circle. We’ve got a 3ft swell from the SSW, with a long period of 12 seconds, and the wind is glassy – dead calm. That’s rare. The break is a reef and point set-up, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. The combined energy is moderate at 605, and conditions will be glassy and clean. This is easily the best surf on offer in the whole 16-day window. Crowds are sometimes around here, so if you can get out early, you’ll have it good.
The next interesting day is Monday, the 7th of September. Morning brings a 5ft SSW swell, period of 14 seconds, and a light cross-shore breeze. The energy jumps to 1162, which is a solid moderate. It’s still a bit marginal but the extra size and power make it worth a look for intermediate surfers. The afternoon gets bigger, up to 6ft, but the wind shifts cross-on and choppy, so it’s a morning mission.
After that, it fades fast. Tuesday the 8th sees an 8ft SSW swell, but it’s blown out with strong SSE winds and rain. That’s expert-only territory, and even then it’s messy. Then the swell drops right off into the second week, with tiny waves and poor conditions. The energy drops to 270 and below, and you’re looking at knee-high slop for the rest of the run.
So, bottom line: Thursday the 3rd of September morning is the absolute pick. Glassy, clean, decent swell. Monday the 7th morning is a solid backup if you miss it. Otherwise, it’s a long wait for the next good one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SSW 13 | S 11 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 932 | 692 | 627 | 759 | 537 | 478 | 321 | 325 | 187 | 157 | 192 | 186 | 289 | 343 | 264 | 477 | 265 | 373 | 503 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:43PM1.71m | 10:26AM1.52m | 10:18PM1.61m | 10:52AM1.58m | 10:57PM1.45m | 11:20AM1.62m | 11:42PM1.26m | 11:53AM1.63m | 00:41AM1.06m | 12:34PM1.62m | 2:20AM0.88m | 1:34PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:19AM0.02m | 4:23PM0.33m | 4:43AM0.13m | 5:04PM0.29m | 5:06AM0.26m | 5:52PM0.28m | 5:29AM0.41m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:52AM0.58m | 8:11PM0.32m | 6:14AM0.73m | 9:57PM0.27m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 7 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 932 | 692 | 627 | 759 | 537 | 478 | 102 | 325 | 187 | 157 | 192 | 186 | 289 | 343 | 194 | 477 | 265 | 330 | 463 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | W 7 | SW 12 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 14 | W 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 10 | WNW 5 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | W 4 | SW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 33 | 32 | 37 | 104 | 153 | 89 | 321 | 42 | 158 | 156 | 70 | 96 | 34 | 179 | 264 | 9 | 183 | 373 | 503 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | S 13 | SSW 19 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 11 | SSW 13 | S 15 | SSW 20 | SW 15 | W 5 |
| kJ | 13 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 33 | 44 | 46 | 163 | 35 | 14 | 50 | 80 | 111 | 2 | 63 | 17 | 149 | 54 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | W 5 | WNW 4 | N 4 | WNW 5 | W 4 | WNW 4 | W 5 | W 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | — | 14 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 13 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 34 | 11 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 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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