
Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, S swell with 1,492 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 21s period with SW 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 21s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. 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 1.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 8AM. 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+) | 2AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 21s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what the ocean's got cookin' for us. We’re looking at Cottons Point, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, a long game, with a decent spike in the middle if you’re patient. The water is sitting at a very warm 72°, a full 6° warmer than usual for this time of year, so you can leave the 5/4 at home for now.
Right now, there’s really nothing worth paddling out for. We’ve got a small, weak swell around 2 ft but it’s cross-on and the energy is just okay (928). The whole first week is like this – a lot of marginal, small surf with ripples from the wind. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th have tiny waist-high waves, but the wind is straight offshore, so it’s clean if you’re desperate for a log session. By Sunday the 26th, it starts to nudge up to about 4 ft, but the period is dropping, and it's still cross-on.
The real standout window builds from Tuesday the 29th of July through to the start of August. Monday the 27th sees the swell push into the chest-high range (4 ft) with solid energy readings (1147), but it’s still got that cross-on bump. The best bet looks like the afternoon of Tuesday the 28th and morning of Wednesday the 29th. Tuesday arvo has 5 ft from the SSW with a period of 17 seconds, light offshore wind, and a strong energy kick (1133). That's a proper groundswell setup. The direction is a little off the optimum SW, but the wind will make it tidy for the experienced crew.
Then we see a jump. Friday the 31st of July brings the biggest swell of the run, pushing 6 ft from the south. This is a solid, powerful swell (1466) but the period drops to 14 seconds, and the wind goes cross-off, so it might get a bit lumpy. This is expert territory. Saturday the 1st of August holds onto that 6 ft swell, period 13 seconds, but the wind finally goes clean offshore from the SW. That morning with the glassy conditions will likely be the pick of the whole two weeks, offering head-high plus walls for those who can handle it.
After the 1st of August, it all falls apart. The swell drops away fast. From Monday the 3rd of August onward, the energy numbers are in the low hundreds, the swell height collapses under 3 ft, and the report calls it poor conditions. By the second week, we’re looking at weak, knee-high slop with constant cross-on winds. A total write-off.
So to sum it up: the waiting game is on. The first week is a dud for anything good. The standout is the morning of Saturday the 1st of August with that 6 ft offshore swell at Cottons Point. It’s a consistent spot, and with the light wind, it’s going to be lined up. Get ready for some crowds, though, as it will be busy. The weekend before that, Friday the 31st, holds the biggest swell but is only for the experts. The rest of the second week is flat and not worth a look.
Stay patient, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 24 | SSW 24 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
563 | 368 | 664 | 799 | 640 | 1100 | 863 | 743 | 719 | 1056 | 893 | 771 | 998 | 1094 | 938 | 612 | 724 | 604 | 457 | 627 | 1242 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:16AM0.96m | 6:26PM1.57m | 8:48AM1.02m | 7:09PM1.64m | 9:12AM1.07m | 7:47PM1.70m | 9:35AM1.11m | 8:23PM1.76m | 9:59AM1.15m | 8:55PM1.80m | 10:24AM1.19m | 9:27PM1.80m | 10:49AM1.24m | 9:59PM1.76m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:48AM0.85m | 2:10AM0.05m | 12:47PM0.83m | 2:43AM-0.03m | 1:32PM0.78m | 3:13AM-0.08m | 2:10PM0.72m | 3:42AM-0.12m | 2:46PM0.66m | 4:09AM-0.14m | 3:21PM0.61m | 4:36AM-0.13m | 3:58PM0.58m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 16 |
304 | 220 | 664 | 799 | 640 | 1100 | 863 | 743 | 719 | 1056 | 893 | 771 | 998 | 1094 | 938 | 612 | 724 | 604 | 447 | 627 | 1242 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | W 6 | S 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | S 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 |
61 | 44 | 128 | 80 | 19 | 99 | 34 | 33 | 22 | 70 | 36 | 23 | 47 | 24 | 22 | 53 | 37 | 161 | 457 | 334 | 238 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 24 | SSW 24 | W 6 | W 7 | S 10 | W 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 8 | S 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | S 18 | SSE 15 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | WNW 7 |
563 | 368 | 20 | 31 | 49 | 21 | 29 | 39 | 40 | 21 | 37 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 160 | 44 | 21 | 13 | 14 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 143 | 0 | 82 | 150 | 65 | 82 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 143 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 30 | 65 | 88 | 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.










