Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 06 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
24.4° C
4.8° 

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 7 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 438 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 6th Aug)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 8th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 18s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 8th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been looking at what’s ahead for Cottons Point. I’ll be straight with you—this outlook is a tough one. The next two weeks offer very little to get excited about, with a long stretch of days where the surf just isn’t cooperating. Let’s break it down.

Right now, through early August, the swell is small and the wind is mostly cross-on, keeping things messy. On Thursday the 6th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, but the cross-on breeze from the WSW at 6 mph chops it up. The combined wave energy is weak (203), and the water is sitting at a super warm 76°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. It’s just not worth paddling out.

Moving into Friday the 7th and through the weekend, the swell nudges up a little—2ft to 3ft from the SSW, with periods jumping to 17-19 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, which would normally be promising for a reef and point break like Cottons Point, but the wind stays cross-on or onshore, keeping the surface ugly. The combined energy is moderate (326-449), but with poor surf conditions flagged every day, it’s all a no-go.

The following week, from Monday the 10th to Thursday the 13th, the swell stays small, between 2ft and 3ft, with mainly onshore winds from the SW. The energy is moderate (257-463), but there’s just no quality. A couple of afternoons, like Tuesday the 11th, get a “marginal” nod, but it’s not enough to get excited about.

There’s a brief glimmer on Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th, where the swell builds to 2ft-4ft from the SSW, with periods around 16-18 seconds and combined energy climbing into the strong range (546-756). The wind is still cross-on from the WSW to W at 9 mph, so it’s bumpy, but the energy is there. For a point break, that long-period swell might offer some shape, but the offshore wind isn’t happening. These days are marked as “marginal” at best.

After that, from Sunday the 16th onward, it’s back to tiny 2ft-3ft SSW swells with onshore or cross-on winds and poor surf conditions. The only bright spot? The water temperature remains way above average, so if you’re just floating around, it’s nice.

There’s no standout day in this 16-day window. The best chance for a paddle is maybe Friday the 14th or Saturday the 15th, with that bigger swell energy, but the wind kills it. For a consistent, generally fishable spot like Cottons Point, this blank run is a bit of a bummer, but it happens. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out.

Stay patient, and I’ll be here when it turns on.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Thu
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
1
2
0
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)
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
19
0.6
SSW
19
0.8
SSW
18
0.8
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.5
SW
20
0.5
SW
19
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SW
18
0.7
SW
18
0.6
SSW
17
0.7
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
114
126
329
243
348
344
295
362
309
305
301
207
186
184
131
252
316
195
264
306
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
SW
10
WSW
15
W
5
WNW
15
W
15
W
5
W
10
SW
10
WSW
0
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
0
SW
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SSE
15
SW
10
WSW
5
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
High Tide
3:33PM1.57m
6:25AM0.88m
4:49PM1.67m
7:33AM1.00m
5:58PM1.80m
8:13AM1.11m
6:57PM1.93m
8:47AM1.21m
7:49PM2.03m
9:21AM1.31m
8:37PM2.07m
9:55AM1.40m
9:22PM2.03m
Low Tide
11:44PM0.22m
9:36AM0.82m
00:51AM0.02m
11:25AM0.83m
1:42AM-0.16m
12:41PM0.74m
2:27AM-0.29m
1:39PM0.62m
3:07AM-0.35m
2:30PM0.50m
3:44AM-0.35m
3:17PM0.40m
4:19AM-0.29m
clear
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>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:09
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:45
7:44
7:43
7:42
7:40
7:39
7:38
 mm
Temp °C
24
21
24
25
23
26
26
23
26
26
23
25
26
23
25
25
24
25
25
22
Feels °C
25
23
25
25
23
26
25
24
27
27
25
25
26
25
25
25
25
25
25
24
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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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