Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 777 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Hey, Rusty here. Alright, let’s break it down for Cottons Point. It’s a pretty mellow stretch – we’ve got some solid, long-period SSW groundswell rolling in for the first week, but the winds and conditions are gonna keep it from really lighting up. Water temp is about 68°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for July, so that’s a nice little bonus if you’re getting wet.
The best of it is really late Monday the 7th of July through to Wednesday the 9th. Swell hangs around 3ft to 4ft from the SSW, with periods between 16 and 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, so the point and reef setups here should offer some shape, though beach breaks might flatten out between sets. The combined energy peaks at 899 (strong wave energy) on Wednesday morning, but it’s only rated marginal. Winds are light and onshore or cross-onshore most of the time, which keeps things clean-ish but not glassy.
Honestly, the standout is Tuesday the 8th of July – morning session especially. Swell is 4ft from the SSW (optimum direction for the break) with a 16-second period, and the wind is light and straight onshore from the SSW. That’s about as clean as it gets for this window. Combined energy is 899 (strong). It’s not going to be pumping, but it’s surfable for intermediates. Crowds are possible here, so expect company if the forecast holds.
Sunday the 6th of July and Monday the 7th are marginal at best – small swell, light onshore winds, and energy building from 528 to 855 (moderate to strong). Not worth rushing out for.
Towards the end of the run – from around the 14th of July onward – the swell drops right off to 1ft to 3ft. Long-period SW groundswell sticks around periods of 13 to 19 seconds, but the energy drops into the 200 to 400 range (weak to moderate). Winds are onshore or cross-onshore again, with a bit of a chop. Not much to get excited about.
Overall, there’s a gap of nearly 10 days from mid-July to the end of the outlook with no real recommendations – just poor or marginal surf. The first few days of July have a couple of windows that might be worth a paddle, but nothing’s screaming epic. It’s one of those runs where the ocean is taking a breather. Forecasts can change, but for now, keep your expectations low and your wetsuit handy.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 390 | 273 | 550 | 326 | 326 | 485 | 777 | 603 | 491 | 667 | 651 | 627 | 505 | 481 | 481 | 362 | 339 | 405 | 344 | 367 | 281 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:56PM1.23m | 00:49AM1.23m | 2:39PM1.32m | 2:04AM1.04m | 3:27PM1.42m | 3:52AM0.90m | 4:19PM1.54m | 5:43AM0.87m | 5:13PM1.68m | 7:10AM0.93m | 6:07PM1.82m | 8:12AM1.02m | 7:01PM1.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:27PM0.72m | 7:47AM0.23m | 8:54PM0.66m | 8:25AM0.37m | 10:29PM0.51m | 9:13AM0.51m | 11:52PM0.29m | 10:15AM0.62m | 00:56AM0.05m | 11:25AM0.69m | 1:49AM-0.16m | 12:32PM0.69m | 2:38AM-0.33m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — |
 | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 390 | 273 | 550 | 326 | 326 | 65 | 777 | 603 | 99 | 667 | 651 | 627 | 505 | 481 | 481 | 362 | 339 | 405 | 344 | 367 | 281 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 18 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | S 17 |
| kJ | 98 | 99 | 11 | 22 | 259 | 392 | 76 | 60 | 491 | 114 | 65 | 92 | 94 | 128 | 94 | 55 | 38 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 153 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | SW 7 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | S 19 | — | — | S 9 | S 10 | — | S 10 | S 21 | — | S 19 | S 19 | W 6 |
| kJ | 8 | 54 | 181 | 180 | 47 | 485 | 2 | 220 | 140 | 118 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 9 | — | 66 | 30 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 87 | 0 | 88 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 82 | 87 | 87 | 65 | 82 | 4 | 88 | 87 | 4 | 65 | 87 | 4 |
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.
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