Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 04 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
24.6° C
5.1° 

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 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 438 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with SW 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 (Aug 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 5th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 8th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 18s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 8th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up.

Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you – this stretch is a bit of a tough one. Over the next 16 days, there’s only one spot on the radar, Cottons Point, and it’s not really firing. The first few days are a write-off. We’ve got a gap from the start right through to the end of the first week with basically nothing worth paddling out for. Conditions are poor, with onshore and cross-onshore breezes messing things up, and the swell – while showing some moderate wave energy (in the 100s) – is just not coming together. Combined energy hits around 173 to 176 on Wednesday 5 August and Thursday 6 August, but it’s weak, small swell around 2 feet, and poor surf quality. You’d be better off staying on the beach.

Now, there is a little flicker of hope. By Friday 7 August morning, we see a jump in combined energy up to 447 – that’s moderate to strong – and a 2ft swell out of the SSW with a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s groundswell territory. Cottons Point is a reef and point setup, which is exactly where you want that long-period energy. The wind is light and blowing onshore, but it’s light, so it could be glassy. The problem is, the forecast calls it marginal at best. Score is low, and it’s not a standout. Might be worth a look for the patient surfer, but don’t expect much.

The real standout – and I mean the only one that might get your heart rate up – comes later. Saturday 15 August afternoon and Sunday 16 August morning. Swell bumps up to 3ft out of the SSW, still a solid long period of 15-16 seconds, and the combined energy is strong, hitting 642 on the Saturday morning and 567 into the afternoon. It’s still cross-onshore, but light enough that it’ll be rideable. This is the best on offer – a consistent, intermediate-level wave at a point and reef break that can handle that long-period swell. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. Crowds are listed as “sometimes” at Cottons Point, so you might have company, but it won’t be a zoo.

After that, the energy fades. By Monday 18 August and beyond, we’re back to small, poor conditions. Nothing to write home about. Bottom line: if you’re keen, the weekend of 15-16 August is your window. The rest? Let’s just say the forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 22°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
3
0
1
1
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
15
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
14
0.6
SW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
19
0.6
SSW
19
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.5
SW
20
0.5
SW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
104
162
127
160
113
114
126
329
243
348
340
291
397
309
305
297
207
186
184
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
W
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
S
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
SW
10
SW
15
W
5
S
10
SSW
10
SW
5
SSE
15
S
10
SSW
5
S
Wind State
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
1:54AM0.95m
2:22PM1.52m
4:05AM0.83m
3:33PM1.57m
6:25AM0.88m
4:49PM1.67m
7:33AM1.00m
5:58PM1.80m
8:13AM1.11m
6:57PM1.93m
8:47AM1.21m
7:49PM2.03m
Low Tide
8:25PM0.49m
7:15AM0.55m
10:07PM0.40m
7:58AM0.70m
11:44PM0.22m
9:36AM0.82m
00:51AM0.02m
11:25AM0.83m
1:42AM-0.16m
12:41PM0.74m
2:27AM-0.29m
1:39PM0.62m
3:07AM-0.35m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:05
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:45
7:45
7:44
7:43
7:42
7:40
 mm
Temp °C
20
23
25
21
24
24
22
25
25
22
26
26
23
26
26
23
24
25
23
Feels °C
21
24
25
23
25
24
24
26
25
23
27
26
25
27
27
24
24
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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