Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, S swell with 813 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 16s. 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 1.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 11PM. 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+) | 11PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve got to be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are pretty quiet. We’ve got one small window of surfable waves, and then a long stretch of days where you’re better off doing something else. Let’s get into it.
The best bet in the whole outlook lands on Wednesday the 29th of July, at Cottons Point. It’s a reef and point break, and it’s about as good as it gets in this run. Swell comes in at 4 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is light and offshore from the WSW at 6 mph, so it’ll be glassy and clean. Water temp is 73°, which is a whopping 6° warmer than usual – that’s very unusual and a real treat. You’ll feel that bit of warmth. Combined energy is strong at 1016. Keep in mind it’s a spot that can get a bit inconsistent, and crowds are possible, so get there early if you can. That long-period swell will wrap in nicely around the point, giving you proper shaped waves with solid lines.
After that, it falls off fast. Thursday the 30th drops to 3 ft from the SSW, still 15-second period and offshore wind, but the score is marginal. Friday and the weekend are a bust – tiny swell, cross-onshore winds creeping in, and the energy drops right off. From Saturday the 1st of August onward, it’s pretty much flat or close to it. We’re looking at a solid gap of 10 days or more with no real recommendations: swell heights hover around 1 ft to 2 ft, the combined energy is weak (between 111 and 529), and most days are labelled as poor surf conditions. The wind stays light or gentle, but without any decent swell, it’s just not worth paddling out.
So, to sum it up: you get one standout session on Wednesday the 29th. After that, it’s a long dry spell. For those of you chasing anything in the second week, I wouldn’t hold your breath – the forecasts are promising nothing. It’s just one of those quiet runs for this area.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 724 | 596 | 348 | 468 | 674 | 596 | 322 | 261 | 131 | 106 | 129 | 89 | 88 | 83 | 82 | 91 | 91 | 84 | 77 | 75 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:27PM1.80m | 10:49AM1.24m | 9:59PM1.76m | 11:17AM1.29m | 10:31PM1.68m | 11:45AM1.34m | 11:06PM1.55m | 12:14PM1.39m | 11:46PM1.37m | 12:48PM1.44m | 00:36AM1.16m | 1:29PM1.48m | 1:54AM0.95m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:21PM0.61m | 4:36AM-0.13m | 3:58PM0.58m | 5:03AM-0.09m | 4:35PM0.55m | 5:29AM-0.02m | 5:17PM0.54m | 5:54AM0.09m | 6:05PM0.53m | 6:19AM0.23m | 7:05PM0.52m | 6:45AM0.38m | 8:25PM0.49m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 724 | 596 | 348 | 468 | 674 | 596 | 322 | 261 | 131 | 106 | 129 | 48 | 41 | 37 | 30 | 31 | 21 | 84 | 77 | 75 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | W 7 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 272 | 343 | 276 | 202 | 14 | 44 | 146 | 69 | 47 | 35 | 22 | 89 | 75 | 83 | 82 | 82 | 91 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | S 16 | W 7 | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | S 9 | SW 14 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 20 | 12 | 174 | 22 | — | 15 | 22 | 14 | 61 | 91 | 49 | 46 | 88 | 46 | 23 | 91 | 39 | 22 | 36 | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 29 | 65 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 205 | 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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