Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 499 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s 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 (Aug 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s ahead at Cottons Point over the next couple weeks. I’ll be straight with you—this is a slow period, no two ways about it. The forecast starts on Sunday the 16th with a tiny window, but most of the run is flat and weak, with a long stretch of days where you’re better off staying on the beach. The water is sitting at 74°, which is 7° warmer than usual for this time of year—very unusual, so leave the wetsuit at home.
Sunday 16th August is your only real chance early on. The morning delivers a 3ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period—that’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy hits 526 (moderate). The wind is light cross-onshore at 10 km/h, which will put a few bumps on the surface. The tide might also mess with the shape, so it’s a marginal call. This reef-and-point break loves a SW direction, so the swell angle is good. If you’re an intermediate surfer and keen to get wet, Sunday morning is the time to go.
After that, things fall apart. From Sunday afternoon all the way through to Saturday the 29th, swell drops below 3ft, mostly hanging around 1ft to 3ft. That’s an 11-day stretch of poor to marginal surf—winds stay light onshore or cross-onshore, and wave energy is in the low hundreds (198 to 423). There’s nothing here for a paddle surfer. With those weak, short-period leftovers and choppy texture, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than anything else.
Then, on Saturday 29th August and Sunday 30th August, we get a little pulse again. Swell bumps back to 3ft–3ft from the SSW, with periods around 15–16 seconds and combined energy reaching 591 (moderate). It’s the closest thing to a highlight in the second week, but it’s still marginal—cross-onshore winds at 10–15 km/h, so don’t expect glassy conditions. Saturday morning is the best bet, but it’s thin.
Cottons Point usually breaks pretty consistently around here, but when a flat spell like this moves in, it’s just how it goes. Forecasts can shift, so keep an eye on the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 499 | 443 | 367 | 330 | 264 | 257 | 232 | 243 | 272 | 377 | 387 | 249 | 236 | 236 | 175 | 156 | 137 | 98 | 92 | 167 | 218 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 12:11PM1.55m | 00:18AM1.28m | 12:47PM1.51m | 1:15AM1.05m | 1:28PM1.45m | 2:46AM0.87m | 2:22PM1.40m | 3:41PM1.37m | 8:16AM0.98m | 5:05PM1.40m | 8:13AM1.05m | 6:07PM1.49m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 6:30PM0.37m | 6:17AM0.37m | 7:30PM0.43m | 6:40AM0.56m | 8:50PM0.46m | 6:55AM0.73m | 10:43PM0.43m | 00:16AM0.32m | 9:51AM0.97m | 1:08AM0.21m | 11:54AM0.93m | 1:45AM0.11m | |||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 499 | 443 | 367 | 330 | 264 | 257 | 60 | 47 | 272 | 377 | 387 | 249 | 236 | 236 | 175 | 156 | 137 | 98 | 21 | 167 | 218 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | S 10 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 18 | W 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 20 | 25 | 63 | 50 | 232 | 243 | 47 | 31 | 27 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 92 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 20 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 19 | WSW 19 | WNW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 19 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 114 | 98 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 57 | 35 | 14 | 81 | 49 | 49 | 81 | 27 | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 13 | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 142 | 0 | 82 | 128 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 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.
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