Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
22.0° C
2.2° 

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 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 387 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s 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 (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Best Surf 5AM (Mon 24th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s

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 shaping up for the next couple of weeks.

Alright, it’s a pretty mellow stretch ahead at Cottons Point. The swell is never really big, and the winds are a bit of a mixed bag, so we’re not looking at any all-time days. The overall energy is moderate, with the combined swell energy hanging around the 300-400 range for most of the week, nothing to get the heart racing.

We start off on Wednesday the 19th with a bit of a tease. A 3ft SSW swell, but it’s a long-period 16-second groundswell, which is nice. The problem is the wind is a light cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird there.

Thursday the 20th is a write-off in the morning, with a gentle cross-onshore making a mess of the 3ft swell. The afternoon might clean up a little as the wind goes onshore, but it’s still small.

The weekend looks small. Saturday the 22nd has a tiny 2ft-2ft swell, and the wind is a light cross-onshore. Not much to work with. Sunday the 23rd is similar, with a 2ft SW swell, but the period jumps to 19 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell. At a reef and point break like Cottons, that could actually wrap in and produce some nice, lined-up waves, but it’s still tiny. A light onshore wind in the morning might make it workable for a patient surfer.

The following week is more of the same. Small, long-period SW swells, mostly in the 2ft to 2ft range, with light winds. The best chance for a clean session might be the mornings, especially Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th, when the wind is light and onshore, helping keep the surface smooth. The energy is still moderate, around 300-400.

Now, looking out to the end of the month, there’s a little pulse. Saturday the 29th of August sees the swell bump up to 3ft-4ft from the SSW, with a decent 16-17 second period. The combined energy jumps to 677 (morning) and 709 (afternoon), which is a solid step up. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect, but the size and period make it the most interesting day of the whole forecast. This is likely the best bet for a decent session, though don’t expect perfection.

The first weekend of September is a bit of a letdown. The size drops back to 2ft, and the period is all over the place. The morning of Tuesday the 1st has a 4ft swell from the west, but the period is a short 8 seconds, which will be weak and messy. Not recommended.

Overall, there’s no real standout. The 29th of August is the pick of the bunch, but even then, it’s marginal. Cottons Point is a consistent spot, so it’s rare to have such a long run of small, average surf. The forecast can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game. Keep an eye on the 29th, but don’t clear your schedule.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
0
1
2
1
1
2
0
0
2
1
0
2
1
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)
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SW
19
0.5
SW
18
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.7
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
272
377
387
249
236
236
226
156
137
135
92
167
218
177
155
273
197
179
273
Wind (km/h)
5
W
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
SSE
15
S
10
SSW
5
S
10
SW
10
WSW
0
SW
10
WSW
10
W
5
WSW
5
WSW
15
W
5
WNW
10
WSW
20
WNW
5
SSE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
2:46AM0.87m
2:22PM1.40m
3:41PM1.37m
8:16AM0.98m
5:05PM1.40m
8:13AM1.05m
6:07PM1.49m
8:24AM1.11m
6:54PM1.59m
8:38AM1.17m
7:31PM1.68m
Low Tide
8:50PM0.46m
6:55AM0.73m
10:43PM0.43m
00:16AM0.32m
9:51AM0.97m
1:08AM0.21m
11:54AM0.93m
1:45AM0.11m
12:49PM0.84m
2:15AM0.03m
1:27PM0.73m
2:41AM-0.02m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:31
7:30
7:29
7:28
7:27
7:25
 mm
Temp °C
22
26
26
23
25
25
23
26
26
24
27
26
24
27
27
25
27
27
23
Feels °C
23
28
26
25
26
26
25
27
27
26
28
26
26
28
26
26
27
26
25
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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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