Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
23.1° C
3.9° 

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 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,120 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period with S 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2PM. 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 (Thu 23rd Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 26th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 19s
Most Powerful 2PM (Tue 28th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Right now, it’s a bit of a waiting game on the South Coast. Cottons Point is the only show in town, and honestly, it’s not showing us much. We’ve got a long stretch of marginal surf ahead, with a couple of days that might just be worth a look if you’re keen.

The first real sniff of something rideable kicks off Thursday morning, 23rd July. We’ve got a 4ft S swell with a 13-second period pushing in, but it’s coming in cross-onshore from the WSW at 6 mph. The water is a balmy 74°, which is a massive 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual and honestly feels amazing. The combined energy is moderate (619). It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s surfable. Thursday afternoon drops off to 3ft and gets choppier, so don’t hang around.

Friday 24th July sees a groundswell arrive from the SW, but it’s tiny at 2ft in the morning and 2ft in the afternoon. The period is a whopping 24 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. At Cottons Point, a reef and point break, that long period should actually wrap in nicely and give you some proper lines, but there’s just not enough height. The cross-onshore wind from the SSW at 9 mph won’t help.

Saturday 25th July is a better call. The morning brings a clean 3ft SSW groundswell, with a 21-second period, and we finally get light offshore winds from the SW at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (910). This is the standout for the whole first week. It’s not big, but it’ll be clean and lined up. The afternoon stays similar but the wind turns cross-on, so make the most of the early session.

Sunday 26th July holds some 4ft to 4ft SW swell, but it’s a bit messier with cross-onshore winds. The period is still long at 18-19 seconds, so there’s energy there (994), but Sunday morning is choppy. Sunday afternoon has a light onshore wind that might clean up a little, but it’s still a gamble.

Now, Monday 27th July is the best call of the whole forecast. The morning has a clean 4ft SSW swell, with an 18-second period, and a light offshore wind from the SW at 6 mph. The combined energy is strong (1137). That’s proper surf – long period groundswell, offshore wind, and a solid 4ft. This is a true standout. The afternoon is similar but a touch smaller. For a reef and point, this long period swell will peel beautifully.

Tuesday 28th July keeps the 4ft SSW swell going, with a 17-second period. The morning is a bit choppy with a cross-onshore breeze, but the afternoon cleans right up with a light offshore wind. The combined energy is strong (1063) in the afternoon, so that’s the better session.

From Wednesday 29th July, it slowly fades. The swell drops to 4ft-4ft, the period shortens to 15-16 seconds, and the winds stay light and offshore. It’s surfable, but nothing special.

Then we hit a gap. From Thursday 30th July through to the end of the forecast, the quality drops off a cliff. The swell stays small, around 1ft to 2ft, and the winds are mostly cross-onshore or just lack any punch. The combined energy falls to weak levels (139 to 232). From Tuesday 4th August onward, it’s labeled as poor surf conditions. Nothing is worth paddling out for.

If you want the best wave, set your alarm for Monday 27th July morning. That offshore 4ft SSW groundswell with an 18-second period at Cottons Point is the best on offer. Saturday 25th July morning is a close second for a clean, smaller session. For the rest of it, it’s a long stretch of flat and poor conditions that lasts from the end of July right through to the 7th of August.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

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

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
1
1
3
2
2
4
1
1
2
3
1
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
S
13
1
S
13
1
S
13
0.7
SW
24
0.6
SSW
24
0.9
SW
21
0.9
SSW
21
0.9
SW
21
1.2
SW
19
1.1
SW
19
1.2
SSW
18
1.1
SW
18
1.3
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
18
1.2
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
17
1.3
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
475
339
350
563
368
664
799
640
1100
863
864
719
1056
883
771
1009
1020
938
612
724
706
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
15
W
10
SSE
15
SSW
15
S
5
SSE
10
SW
10
W
5
SSW
15
S
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
SW
10
SW
5
SSE
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SSE
10
SW
10
SW
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
5:36PM1.51m
8:16AM0.96m
6:26PM1.57m
8:48AM1.02m
7:09PM1.64m
9:12AM1.07m
7:47PM1.70m
9:35AM1.11m
8:23PM1.76m
9:59AM1.15m
8:55PM1.80m
10:24AM1.19m
9:27PM1.80m
Low Tide
10:30AM0.81m
1:32AM0.15m
11:48AM0.85m
2:10AM0.05m
12:47PM0.83m
2:43AM-0.03m
1:32PM0.78m
3:13AM-0.08m
2:10PM0.72m
3:42AM-0.12m
2:46PM0.66m
4:09AM-0.14m
3:21PM0.61m
4:36AM-0.13m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:56
5:56
5:58
5:58
5:58
6:00
6:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:55
7:55
7:54
7:53
7:53
7:52
7:52
 mm
Temp °C
24
25
23
24
25
22
26
26
24
24
25
22
25
25
23
25
25
22
25
25
22
Feels °C
25
25
25
24
25
23
28
27
26
25
26
24
27
25
25
25
26
23
25
25
23
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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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