Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 29 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
24.4°C
4.6° 

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 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 735 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sun 30th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Best Surf 8PM (Sun 30th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 2PM (Fri 4th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Cottons Point over the next couple of weeks. Right now we’re in a slow stretch, but there’s one window that’s got me pretty keen.

We start Sunday the 30th of August with a 4 ft SSW swell, but the wind is cross-on from the south at 9 mph, and the combined energy sits at 660 (moderate). It’s a bit choppy and onshore, not great. Water temp’s about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. Monday the 31st drops to 3 ft, still cross-on or onshore, energy down to 514. Tuesday through Thursday the 3rd of September stays tiny and messy—2 ft to 3 ft, mostly cross-on from the west, with poor conditions and light to moderate wind. Not worth wetting the suit.

Friday the 4th shows a slight bump: 3 ft to 4 ft SSW swell with a long period of 16-17 seconds, and combined energy hitting 897. That’s a proper groundswell, but the wind is still cross-on from the west or south, so it’s not clean. The long period means better shape, and at a reef and point like Cottons, that’s a plus—it’ll wrap in nicely. Saturday the 5th is similar at 3 ft, but still cross-on.

Now here’s the real standout: Monday the 7th of September morning. We’ve got 4 ft S groundswell with a 12-second period, combined energy of 812 (moderate), and the wind goes glass—SW at just 3 mph. That’s going to be pure, clean, and silky. The optimum swell direction for Cottons is SW, and this is coming from the S, so the angle is good. With glassy conditions, this is the best session of the whole forecast. It’s a consistent spot, so expect plenty of waves. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so be early.

Tuesday the 8th brings a bigger pulse: 6 ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and combined energy of 1127 (strong). But the wind turns cross-on from the south then west, so it’ll be bumpy and messy. That size is for experts only. Wednesday the 9th drops off quickly to 5 ft and smaller, with more cross-on wind and chop.

From Thursday the 10th onward, it’s a slow fade: 2 ft down to 1 ft swells, poor surf, and mostly cross-on or onshore winds. Combined energy falls into the 200-500 range—weak. Nothing to chase after that Monday the 7th, just a long flat spell with only tiny, marginal pulses.

So the call: best surf is Monday the 7th of September morning at Cottons Point, when glassy conditions and a solid 4 ft S groundswell line up perfectly. It’s a reef and point, so that long-period energy will wrap in proper. The rest of the run is mostly wind-affected and small.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
3
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
3
1
0
3
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
14
1
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
S
12
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.7
S
10
0.8
SSW
12
0.7
SW
17
0.9
SSW
12
0.7
SSW
18
1
SSW
18
1
SSW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
759
537
478
389
253
184
157
116
118
183
104
183
281
196
295
651
594
717
620
Wind (km/h)
5
S
15
S
10
WSW
5
S
10
SW
15
W
5
NW
10
W
20
W
10
WNW
10
W
20
W
0
NNW
10
SSW
15
W
5
ESE
15
S
15
W
0
SSE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
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
5:35AM0.88m
3:06PM1.55m
Low Tide
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
6:35AM0.88m
11:34PM0.14m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:17
7:16
7:15
7:14
7:13
7:12
 mm
Temp °C
25
26
26
23
24
24
22
24
25
22
24
25
22
24
24
21
23
24
21
Feels °C
28
26
26
25
24
23
22
23
23
21
23
23
21
23
22
21
22
23
22
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  • 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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