
Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, S swell with 725 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 5PM. 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+) | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Cottons Point.
Straight up, it’s a bit of a slow grind for the first week. The surf is small and the wind is just not playing ball. Don’t expect much until we get into the back half of the forecast period.
The water temp is sitting around 68°, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a nice little bonus for the session.
For the first week, from Sunday July 12th right through to Monday July 20th, it’s pretty grim. You’re looking at tiny waves between 1 ft and 4 ft, with a cross-onshore wind messing up the surface. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate (between 170 and 446), and the wave comment is consistently “poor surf conditions”. There’s no real standout here. You’d be paddling for nothing.
Now, things start to change around Saturday July 18th. The swell picks up a bit, reaching 5 ft from the South with a 14-second period. The combined energy jumps to 1080, which is solid moderate energy. The wind is still a cross-onshore, so it’s not glassy, but it’s a better option than the previous days. It’s still only a marginal call, though.
The real window of interest opens up on Wednesday July 22nd. The swell starts to build, and by the afternoon we see 4 ft from the South with a 15-second period, and the combined energy hits 1071. The wind finally swings to a light onshore, which is a step in the right direction. But the best chance for a clean wave comes on Sunday July 26th, in the afternoon. The swell drops to 2 ft from the SSW, but it’s a long-period 19-second groundswell, with combined energy of 453. The wind goes glassy – light offshore from the SW. That’s the cleanest window of the whole forecast. The waves will be small, but for a glassy, long-period swell, Cottons Point as a reef and point setup could actually offer some fun, lined-up waves.
The following Monday July 27th sees a bit more size (3 ft from the SW, 18-second period) with a light onshore, so it’s still a goer.
Overall, if you’re a beginner, the swell stays under 5 ft for most of it, so you’re mostly safe. For the experts, the 5 ft to 6 ft days on July 23rd and 24th are still manageable. The crowd situation at Cottons Point can be “sometimes” busy, so mid-week or the glassy Sunday afternoon might be your best bet for a quieter paddle.
The standout of the whole forecast is that Sunday July 26th afternoon. The glassy conditions with that long-period groundswell will make it the cleanest and most enjoyable session. It’s a late call, but it’s the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 12 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
316 | 277 | 312 | 187 | 213 | 133 | 111 | 194 | 107 | 96 | 161 | 122 | 122 | 125 | 181 | 83 | 144 | 380 | 725 | 547 | 350 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:53PM2.06m | 9:44AM1.17m | 8:43PM2.11m | 10:25AM1.23m | 9:32PM2.10m | 11:06AM1.29m | 10:19PM2.02m | 11:47AM1.34m | 11:06PM1.86m | 12:29PM1.38m | 11:54PM1.64m | 1:12PM1.41m | 00:44AM1.39m | 1:58PM1.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:23AM-0.44m | 2:28PM0.60m | 4:07AM-0.47m | 3:20PM0.54m | 4:49AM-0.44m | 4:12PM0.50m | 5:29AM-0.35m | 5:04PM0.49m | 6:07AM-0.21m | 5:59PM0.50m | 6:44AM-0.03m | 7:01PM0.53m | 7:19AM0.16m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | |
8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | 7:59 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 7 | SW 19 | SW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 14 | S 12 | S 10 |
316 | 277 | 312 | 187 | 213 | 133 | 93 | 133 | 31 | 34 | 48 | 89 | 71 | 33 | 181 | 74 | 144 | 380 | 725 | 547 | 313 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | SSW 14 | SW 21 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 17 |
113 | 62 | 18 | 120 | 133 | 76 | 111 | 194 | 95 | 83 | 161 | 122 | 122 | 107 | 26 | 13 | 136 | 366 | 311 | 44 | 350 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | S 16 | SW 18 | SW 19 | S 12 | SW 19 | S 12 | W 4 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | W 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 |
17 | 46 | 12 | 59 | 25 | 58 | 47 | 3 | 107 | 96 | 73 | 48 | 47 | 125 | 74 | 83 | 85 | 44 | 44 | 47 | 44 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | W 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 2 |
— | — | — | 17 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 82 | 287 | 87 | 21 | 82 | 87 | 65 | 82 | 82 | 4 | 87 | 91 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 |
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.











