Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 15 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
22.7°C
3.1° 

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 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 553 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Wed 16th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 17th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 5PM (Mon 21st Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.

The next 16 days are looking pretty flat for the most part. We’re kicking off with a long stretch of weak, messy surf that’s more of a paddle practice session than anything worth getting excited about. The first real chance at a wave is on Thursday, September 17th, and even then it’s only marginal. The whole run is plagued by mostly cross-onshore winds and a real lack of energy. The water is sitting at a very unusual 73° at the start, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year.

Cottons Point is the only spot on the menu, and honestly, it’s a struggle. We’ve got a 16-day period with a massive gap of no decent surf. From Tuesday, September 15th right through to Thursday, September 17th morning, it’s all “poor surf conditions” with tiny, weak swell. The first hint of something rideable shows up Thursday morning, September 17th with a 3ft SSW groundswell at 16 seconds, but it’s still only a 1/10. The combined wave energy is moderate (462), but the light onshore wind is messing with it.

The best of a bad bunch looks to be on Sunday, September 20th. The morning is cross-onshore, but the afternoon session on the 20th sees the swell holding at 3ft from the SW with a long 18-second period, and the wind swings to a light onshore breeze. The combined energy is strong at 654. It’s still only rated marginal due to tide, but that long period groundswell from the SW is what this reef and point break is after. For a point, that long period can mean some nice lines, though it might close out a bit on the beach sections. Keep in mind this spot is consistent, so it’s not a complete fluke. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect to have it all to yourself.

There’s another flicker on Monday, September 21st with a 3ft SSW groundswell at 17 seconds and light onshore wind, giving a combined energy of 627. Again, it’s marginal, but it’s the biggest swell of the whole forecast.

After that, it’s back into the doldrums. From Tuesday, September 22nd right through to the end of the period, the swell drops and the winds stay cross-onshore or onshore. The last possible marginal session is on Sunday, September 27th morning, with a tiny 2ft SW swell at 12 seconds and near-glass conditions (light onshore wind at 3 mph). It’s weak (249 combined energy) and low period, so it’ll be small and gutless. Beyond that, it’s just small, choppy leftovers.

Honestly, for the next two and a half weeks, your best bet is the Sunday afternoon, September 20th or Monday afternoon, September 21st for the best shot at a few longer lines, but don’t expect any standouts. The rest of the time, you might be better off with a longboard or just waiting for the next swell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
3
2
0
2
2
0
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
16
0.4
SSW
20
0.4
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
1
SSW
15
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.9
SW
18
0.9
SW
18
0.9
SW
17
0.9
SW
17
1
SW
17
0.9
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
161
127
114
390
347
402
288
275
405
303
303
234
379
375
375
455
522
499
470
553
443
Wind (km/h)
15
S
10
SSW
5
SSE
10
SSW
10
WSW
0
SW
10
WSW
15
W
5
WNW
10
SW
15
W
5
W
10
SW
10
W
5
S
15
S
10
SW
5
SSE
15
S
10
SW
0
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
11:38AM1.58m
00:58AM0.99m
12:07PM1.48m
2:45AM0.87m
12:46PM1.38m
2:20PM1.29m
7:59AM1.06m
4:25PM1.30m
7:35AM1.13m
5:38PM1.39m
7:40AM1.20m
6:27PM1.50m
Low Tide
6:51PM0.30m
5:28AM0.72m
8:00PM0.38m
5:12AM0.84m
9:44PM0.41m
11:29PM0.35m
9:58AM1.05m
00:26AM0.26m
11:54AM0.95m
1:02AM0.17m
12:37PM0.81m
1:31AM0.10m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:57
6:54
6:53
6:52
6:51
6:50
6:47
 mm
Temp °C
21
22
20
21
21
19
21
21
19
21
22
20
22
23
21
22
22
20
21
21
20
Feels °C
21
22
21
21
20
19
21
20
19
21
21
20
22
23
22
22
22
22
20
20
22
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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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