Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 21s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 19s period, SW swell with 1,100 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s 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 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s. 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 1.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM. 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 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 21s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the table for Cottons Point over the next couple of weeks.
The water is running way warmer than usual for this time of year – we’re talking 71°F with a 4°F anomaly, so it’s a proper tropical bath. The swell’s coming through, but it’s been a battle with the wind and tide. Most days are “marginal” – the sort of session where you’re scratching your head wondering if it’s worth the paddle. That said, there are a few windows that stand out from the crowd.
Best of the bunch – Saturday 25 July, morning. Swell is 3ft from the SW with a delicious 21-second period – classic groundswell, really long lines. That kind of period loves a point and reef setup like Cottons. Wind is light from the SW, which is onshore, but at 6 mph it’s only a light breeze, so the surface should stay clean enough. The combined energy is 1087 (moderate), and the score is a 3, which is the highest we see across the whole run. It’s not huge, but the quality of the wave shape could be beautiful. Expect some sets, but with that period, the gaps between waves will be noticeable – good for picking your moment.
Second shout – Saturday 1 August, afternoon. Swell builds to 6ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, with 1077 combined energy. That’s a solid step up in size – definitely too big for beginners, but for intermediates it’s a proper challenge. Wind is SW again, 6 mph and onshore, so it’s not glassy, but still light. Score is a 3 again. The crowd situation at Cottons is “sometimes” busy, so on a Saturday afternoon you might have company, but the consistency of the break means there’ll be waves for everyone.
The rest of the period is a mix of small to medium swell with cross-onshore winds or choppy conditions. The last few days (2–3 August) drop off to poor surf with combined energy below 500, so don’t hold your breath for those.
Bottom line: get out there on Saturday 25 July morning for the best chance of silky, long-period waves, or hit the 1 August afternoon if you want something bigger but a bit messier. The rest is a gamble.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 24 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 424 | 488 | 398 | 367 | 334 | 715 | 559 | 559 | 437 | 394 | 316 | 471 | 582 | 475 | 563 | 499 | 548 | 664 | 640 | 863 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:45AM1.14m | 2:48PM1.44m | 3:09AM0.93m | 3:42PM1.45m | 5:11AM0.84m | 4:40PM1.47m | 7:14AM0.88m | 5:36PM1.51m | 8:16AM0.96m | 6:26PM1.57m | 8:48AM1.02m | 7:09PM1.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:13PM0.55m | 7:54AM0.37m | 9:43PM0.52m | 8:31AM0.55m | 11:24PM0.42m | 9:18AM0.71m | 00:41AM0.28m | 10:30AM0.81m | 1:32AM0.15m | 11:48AM0.85m | 2:10AM0.05m | 12:47PM0.83m | 2:43AM-0.03m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 336 | 488 | 235 | 188 | 334 | 715 | 559 | 559 | 437 | 394 | 316 | 471 | 582 | 475 | 513 | 499 | 484 | 380 | 328 | 863 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | W 5 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | S 10 | W 5 | S 9 | S 8 | W 6 | S 14 | W 6 | W 7 | SW 26 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 424 | 4 | 398 | 367 | 125 | 5 | 57 | 34 | 25 | 101 | 47 | 43 | 171 | 67 | 56 | 36 | 548 | 664 | 640 | 269 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | S 14 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 8 | SW 8 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SW 24 | SSW 24 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 42 | 21 | 4 | 35 | 175 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 146 | 139 | 49 | 105 | 563 | 368 | 32 | 43 | 28 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 10 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 2 | 87 | 16 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 87 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 13 | 82 | 87 | 28 | 82 | 87 | 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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