Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty, and I've been staring at the charts for your local stretch. Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it—the next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, but there's a flicker of light at the end if you're patient. We've got a long period of marginal, small stuff, so don't be in a rush.

We start off pretty flat and weak. Your first real look is Saturday the 22nd of August, but it's a tough one. Cottons Point is seeing a 2ft SSW swell with a long 15-second period, which is nice for a groundswell, but that cross-on 6 mph breeze from the west is messing with the surface. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 71°, which is about 3° above average for this time of year, so that's a bit of a treat. The combined swell energy is moderate at 234, but it's just not clean enough to get excited about. Sunday the 23rd is no better—it's even smaller, 2ft, and the wind gets a bit stronger in the afternoon, making it choppy. Monday and Tuesday are the same story: small, weak SW swell, and the wind is mostly cross-on. The energy ticks up to 406 on Tuesday morning, but it's still a 2ft wave with a 16-second period. It's surfable, but it's a scratchy, frustrating session.

Now, Wednesday the 26th of August, things get a bit more interesting energy-wise. The swell jumps to 4ft from the S with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 807. But here's the kicker—the wind is 9 mph cross-on from the SSE, which is going to chop it up. It's a bit of a grumpy ocean, likely more fun for a kite surfer with that side breeze and bumpy face. That theme continues through Thursday; the swell drops to 4ft, but it's still not clean.

Finally, we get a glimmer of hope. On Friday the 28th of August, the morning sees a 3ft SSW swell, but the wind turns offshore from the WSW at 6 mph. That's the magic word. The period is a long 17 seconds, and the energy is 485. The afternoon is similar, with a 2ft wave and a 19-second period, giving a moderate energy of 545. The breeze is light and cross-on, but the offshore earlier in the day is the real standout. It's a marginal session, but if you can get out of the water before the wind shifts, it'll be the cleanest waves of the week. Saturday the 29th holds a similar 4ft to 4ft SSW swell with a 16 to 17-second period, but the wind is cross-on again. The energy is high, 789 to 794, so there's push, but the surface won't be glassy.

The first week of September is where the real potential lies, but it's a long-range call, so don't book the trip just yet. Thursday the 3rd of September sees a 3ft SSW swell with a 19-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the WNW at 9 mph. That's a disappointment. But then, Friday the 4th of September shines. The morning shows a 4ft SSW swell, 18-second period, with offshore wind from the SSW at 9 mph. The combined energy is a whopping 1143—strong wave energy. The afternoon is even better: 4ft, 17-second period, with a light 6 mph offshore breeze from the WSW, and the energy sits at 1097. This is the standout. That's a proper groundswell, decent size, and offshore wind. It's a point and reef break, and that long period will wrap in nicely. The crowds are "sometimes" there, so expect a few mates out, but with that wind, it's worth the paddle. Saturday the 5th holds similar 4ft swell, but the wind is cross-on again, so the Friday is the golden window.

So, overall, the first week is a grind. If you're desperate, the early morning offshore on Friday the 28th of August is your best bet in the near term. But the real, honest-to-goodness standout is Friday the 4th of September. That's the one to circle on the calendar. It's a week and a half away, so keep your fingers crossed the wind holds, but if it does, Cottons Point is going to be pumping.

Rusty

Read more