Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
22.3° C
2.6° 

Cottons Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cottons Point surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with 387 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 18th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 5AM (Mon 24th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Cottons Point are a bit of a mixed bag, and we’ve got a pretty slow start on our hands. The first few days are looking marginal, with small swell and a lot of cross-onshore influence, so it’s not exactly firing.

The first real nod for a surf comes on Tuesday, the 18th of August, with a small 2ft SSW groundswell rolling in. The energy is moderate (385), and we’ve got a light offshore breeze from the SW in the morning, which should keep the surface clean. The period is a very long 16 seconds, so those waves will have some real grunt and shape, but with that tiny size, it’s going to be a long wait between sets. The water is sitting at 72°, which is a whopping 5° warmer than usual – that’s a very unusual warm anomaly for this time of year, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.

Wednesday the 19th bumps up just a touch to 3ft, still from the SSW with that same long 16-second period, and the wind stays light and offshore on the morning. The energy climbs to moderate (451). Thursday morning the 20th holds at 3ft, but the period drops to 14 seconds, and the wind is still light offshore. It’s all very similar, small, but clean when the wind is right.

From Friday the 21st through to the end of the month, the swell really backs off. We’re talking 2ft to 2ft, and while the wind is often light, it’s mostly cross-onshore, keeping the surface a bit bumpy. The energy stays weak to moderate (194 to 400). This is a long stretch of nothing special – a good week to get the gear sorted.

Now, the best on offer in the whole 16-day window appears on the weekend of the 29th and 30th of August. Saturday morning the 29th sees a 3ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the SW. The energy is strong (519). That’s the best combination of size, period, and clean wind. Sunday morning the 30th is similar, with 4ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and light offshore wind (558 energy). These two mornings are the standouts – small but clean, with proper groundswell lines. The only downside is that Cottons Point is a reef and point break, so those long period swells can be a bit tricky, but the light offshore will make it work.

Crowds are possible here, so keep an eye out.

After that, the first days of September drop back to small, marginal conditions with cross-onshore winds. It’s a quiet end to the outlook.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
1
1
1
0
1
2
1
0
2
0
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SW
19
0.5
SW
18
0.8
SSW
14
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.7
SW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
232
243
272
377
387
249
236
236
226
156
137
135
92
167
218
177
155
269
197
181
273
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
W
5
SSW
10
SW
5
WSW
10
SE
10
SSW
10
SW
5
S
10
SW
10
SW
5
SSE
10
WSW
10
WSW
0
SSE
10
W
10
WSW
5
W
10
W
20
WNW
5
WSW
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
cross
on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
1:28PM1.45m
2:46AM0.87m
2:22PM1.40m
3:41PM1.37m
8:16AM0.98m
5:05PM1.40m
8:13AM1.05m
6:07PM1.49m
8:24AM1.11m
6:54PM1.59m
8:38AM1.17m
7:31PM1.68m
Low Tide
8:50PM0.46m
6:55AM0.73m
10:43PM0.43m
00:16AM0.32m
9:51AM0.97m
1:08AM0.21m
11:54AM0.93m
1:45AM0.11m
12:49PM0.84m
2:15AM0.03m
1:27PM0.73m
2:41AM-0.02m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:32
7:31
7:30
7:29
7:28
7:27
7:25
 mm
1
Temp °C
24
25
23
26
26
23
25
26
24
26
26
24
27
26
24
28
27
25
27
27
24
Feels °C
26
26
24
27
26
25
26
27
26
27
26
26
27
26
26
28
26
27
28
27
26
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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