
Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 807 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 19s. 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it: the next couple weeks at Cottons Point are looking pretty ordinary. We’re in for a long stretch of small, mushy swell and a lot of cross-onshore breeze messing up any chance of clean waves. The first time you’d even consider paddling out is Thursday the 13th in the morning, but even then, it’s a marginal call.
Water temp is about normal for the season, so no surprises. Early in the period we’re seeing 2ft to 2ft swell with weak to moderate energy (222 to 340 in the readings). The period is around 16-18 seconds, so there’s some groundswell in the mix, but it’s too small and from the SW to do much for this break. Wind is mostly light but onshore or cross-onshore, and that’s the main culprit – it keeps the surface lumpy.
The weekend shows a slight rise on Saturday the 15th: 3ft to 4ft from the SSW, energy up to 616-720. But the wind stays cross-onshore, so it won’t be clean. Sunday morning the 16th has a bit of offshore wind, but the swell drops back to 4ft and it’s still marginal – I wouldn’t hype it up.
From the 17th through the 24th, it’s the same story: poor to marginal. Swell sits around 2ft to 3ft, energy mostly between 190 and 500, and the wind flips between light onshore and cross-onshore. There’s a short-period 9-second swell on the 22nd afternoon at 2ft, but that’s just junky. Honestly, for most of this run, it’s not worth the effort.
Now, the one standout – and it’s two weeks out, so keep that in mind – is Tuesday the 25th in the afternoon. The wind goes nearly dead, glassy conditions, and you’ll have 2ft of SW swell with a 16-second period and moderate energy (432). It’s not big, but it’ll be clean and lined up. That’s your chance. Wednesday the 26th morning has some similar promise with 3ft from the SW, but the forecast is less certain, so I’d focus on that Tuesday arvo.
Bottom line: lots of small, messy surf ahead, then one brief, clean window on August 25th. Mark it, but don’t bank on it – long-range calls can fade. Beginners can handle the bigger days around 4ft, but the wind will spoil most of them. Experts won’t see anything over 8ft in the whole run, so it’s a paddling or grovel session no matter what.
Crowds? Cottons Point can draw a few, but with a forecast this average, it’s likely to be quiet.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
184 | 95 | 252 | 316 | 195 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 358 | 280 | 302 | 404 | 807 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 551 | 443 | 437 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:21AM1.31m | 8:37PM2.07m | 9:55AM1.40m | 9:22PM2.03m | 10:28AM1.47m | 10:06PM1.92m | 11:02AM1.53m | 10:48PM1.74m | 11:37AM1.55m | 11:31PM1.52m | 12:11PM1.55m | 00:18AM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:07AM-0.35m | 2:30PM0.50m | 3:44AM-0.35m | 3:17PM0.40m | 4:19AM-0.29m | 4:04PM0.34m | 4:52AM-0.17m | 4:50PM0.32m | 5:23AM-0.01m | 5:38PM0.33m | 5:51AM0.17m | 6:30PM0.37m | |||||||
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
154 | 95 | 252 | 316 | 195 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 358 | 280 | 217 | 404 | 807 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 551 | 443 | 437 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | W 4 | SW 14 | S 11 | W 5 | S 10 | S 10 | W 5 |
184 | 75 | 83 | 55 | 42 | 61 | 35 | 62 | 61 | 51 | 302 | 214 | 6 | 191 | 21 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 9 | W 12 | S 12 | W 5 | W 11 | S 11 | W 10 | SW 10 | S 10 |
33 | 51 | 75 | 44 | 44 | 49 | 27 | 23 | 44 | 149 | 16 | 3 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 20 | 2 | 15 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 3 | WNW 12 | — | W 3 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | SSW 11 | — | — | W 5 | — | W 6 | W 6 | — |
— | 1 | 28 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | 65 | — | — | 14 | — | 15 | 15 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 136 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 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.











