Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with 455 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period with SW 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 (Sep 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s is also forecast. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) 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+) | 8PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up around Cottons Point.
Honestly, the next couple of weeks aren’t great. We’ve got a long dry spell to get through before anything worth paddling out for shows up. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t come until around Wednesday the 16th of September, and even then it’s barely a whisper. Before that, from Sunday the 13th right through Tuesday the 15th, it’s just poor surf conditions – small, choppy, cross-onshore slop. Not worth the wax.
From Wednesday the 16th onward, things stay marginal. The swell is small, mostly around 2ft to 3ft, coming from the SW to SSW, with periods hanging around 14 to 20 seconds. That long-period groundswell energy is there, but the size is just too tiny to get excited about. The combined swell energy sits between about 255 and 675 (moderate), so there’s some pulse in the water, but it’s not translating into anything rideable for more than a few minutes. Winds are mostly light and cross-onshore or occasionally onshore, which means the surface stays a bit bumpy.
If you’re desperate, the pick of a pretty weak bunch is Thursday the 17th of September morning. You’ve got a 3ft SSW swell with a period of 16 seconds, and the light cross-onshore wind keeps it from being totally chopped. The combined energy reads 525 (moderate). It’s still marginal, and the break here is a reef and point setup, so that long-period stuff might wrap in a bit better than at a beach. But honestly, it’s not a standout – just the least ugly day.
The water’s running about 72°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – nearly five degrees above average. That’s pretty unusual.
After that, we drift through the rest of September with nothing improving. Swell stays under 3ft, winds stay messy, and the surf reports are full of “poor” or “marginal.” The 20th of September Sunday afternoon has a 3ft SW swell and light onshore wind, with combined energy hitting 675 (moderate), but it’s still just a tease. The second week is flat and forgettable – small, short-period leftovers with more cross-onshore wind and choppy conditions.
If you’re a kiter, there’s some wind around the 24th and 25th with moderate breezes, but for paddle surfing? Save your energy. This stretch is a dud.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 19 | W 10 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 89 | 131 | 188 | 116 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 127 | 114 | 386 | 347 | 366 | 284 | 246 | 242 | 303 | 303 | 234 | 379 | 375 | 375 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:44AM1.70m | 11:13PM1.36m | 11:11AM1.66m | 11:59PM1.17m | 11:38AM1.58m | 00:58AM0.99m | 12:07PM1.48m | 2:45AM0.87m | 12:46PM1.38m | 2:20PM1.29m | 7:59AM1.06m | 4:25PM1.30m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:15PM0.16m | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:59PM0.22m | 5:16AM0.57m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:28AM0.72m | 8:00PM0.38m | 5:12AM0.84m | 9:44PM0.41m | 11:29PM0.35m | 9:58AM1.05m | 00:26AM0.26m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 7 |
| kJ | 41 | 31 | 188 | 116 | 122 | 79 | 57 | 57 | 88 | 386 | 347 | 366 | 284 | 246 | 242 | 303 | 158 | 35 | 53 | 375 | 69 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 89 | 87 | 85 | 108 | 150 | 190 | 161 | 122 | 32 | 11 | 27 | 28 | 81 | 106 | 88 | 183 | 303 | 139 | 379 | 41 | 375 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 9 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | S 10 | S 9 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 12 | 131 | 129 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 15 | 9 | 64 | 160 | 162 | 156 | 56 | 25 | 234 | 137 | 96 | 85 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 87 | 65 | 82 | 65 | 30 | 65 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 142 | 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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