Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Right now, it’s a bit of a waiting game on the South Coast. Cottons Point is the only show in town, and honestly, it’s not showing us much. We’ve got a long stretch of marginal surf ahead, with a couple of days that might just be worth a look if you’re keen.

The first real sniff of something rideable kicks off Thursday morning, 23rd July. We’ve got a 4ft S swell with a 13-second period pushing in, but it’s coming in cross-onshore from the WSW at 6 mph. The water is a balmy 74°, which is a massive 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual and honestly feels amazing. The combined energy is moderate (619). It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s surfable. Thursday afternoon drops off to 3ft and gets choppier, so don’t hang around.

Friday 24th July sees a groundswell arrive from the SW, but it’s tiny at 2ft in the morning and 2ft in the afternoon. The period is a whopping 24 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. At Cottons Point, a reef and point break, that long period should actually wrap in nicely and give you some proper lines, but there’s just not enough height. The cross-onshore wind from the SSW at 9 mph won’t help.

Saturday 25th July is a better call. The morning brings a clean 3ft SSW groundswell, with a 21-second period, and we finally get light offshore winds from the SW at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (910). This is the standout for the whole first week. It’s not big, but it’ll be clean and lined up. The afternoon stays similar but the wind turns cross-on, so make the most of the early session.

Sunday 26th July holds some 4ft to 4ft SW swell, but it’s a bit messier with cross-onshore winds. The period is still long at 18-19 seconds, so there’s energy there (994), but Sunday morning is choppy. Sunday afternoon has a light onshore wind that might clean up a little, but it’s still a gamble.

Now, Monday 27th July is the best call of the whole forecast. The morning has a clean 4ft SSW swell, with an 18-second period, and a light offshore wind from the SW at 6 mph. The combined energy is strong (1137). That’s proper surf – long period groundswell, offshore wind, and a solid 4ft. This is a true standout. The afternoon is similar but a touch smaller. For a reef and point, this long period swell will peel beautifully.

Tuesday 28th July keeps the 4ft SSW swell going, with a 17-second period. The morning is a bit choppy with a cross-onshore breeze, but the afternoon cleans right up with a light offshore wind. The combined energy is strong (1063) in the afternoon, so that’s the better session.

From Wednesday 29th July, it slowly fades. The swell drops to 4ft-4ft, the period shortens to 15-16 seconds, and the winds stay light and offshore. It’s surfable, but nothing special.

Then we hit a gap. From Thursday 30th July through to the end of the forecast, the quality drops off a cliff. The swell stays small, around 1ft to 2ft, and the winds are mostly cross-onshore or just lack any punch. The combined energy falls to weak levels (139 to 232). From Tuesday 4th August onward, it’s labeled as poor surf conditions. Nothing is worth paddling out for.

If you want the best wave, set your alarm for Monday 27th July morning. That offshore 4ft SSW groundswell with an 18-second period at Cottons Point is the best on offer. Saturday 25th July morning is a close second for a clean, smaller session. For the rest of it, it’s a long stretch of flat and poor conditions that lasts from the end of July right through to the 7th of August.

Rusty.

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