Cottons Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.39° N 117.60° W

Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cottons Point sea temperature is
21.1° C
2.0° 

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 17 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,136 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 18th Jul)2ft (0.6m) 18s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 20th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 16s
Most Powerful11PM (Mon 20th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Hey mate, Rusty here. Let's run through what's coming up for Cottons Point.

The first few days are dead flat. Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th – small, choppy, nothing to get excited about. Sunday the 19th shows a little pulse, 2.6ft to 3.3ft SW swell with light onshore wind, but still marginal. The combined energy climbs from 614 to 956, so there's some movement. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st stay in the marginal zone, 3.3ft to 4ft, cross-onshore, not clean. Wednesday the 22nd gets a bit windier and drops back to poor. Thursday the 23rd sees a bump to 4.3ft, but still cross-onshore.

The real standout lands on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th. Saturday morning we've got a 6.2ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, energy a solid 2332. Wind is light onshore from the SW at 6 mph – not ideal, but light enough. By Saturday afternoon the swell hits 6.6ft, energy 2123, and the period drops to 14 seconds. Sunday the 26th still holds a 4.9ft swell in the morning, energy 1500, with light onshore wind again. For a reef and point, these long-period groundswells (16-18 seconds) will wrap in nicely and give some decent shape. The light onshore breeze won't kill it, but it won't be glassy. Crowds are possible – this spot is consistent and sometimes busy, so you might have company.

After that, the swell backs off but stays rideable through the end of July. Monday the 27th

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
3
2
1
3
1
1
3
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
19
0.5
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.6
SW
15
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.5
SW
16
0.8
SW
17
1
SW
17
1
SSW
15
1
SSW
15
1.2
SSW
15
1.3
SSW
13
0.9
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
1
S
15
1.1
S
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
125
181
103
136
366
379
127
334
567
461
449
624
587
387
474
474
334
422
417
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
15
S
15
S
10
SSE
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SE
10
SW
10
WSW
5
S
10
WSW
15
W
5
SSE
10
SW
15
W
5
NW
15
W
20
WNW
5
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
11:06PM1.86m
12:29PM1.38m
11:54PM1.64m
1:12PM1.41m
00:44AM1.39m
1:58PM1.43m
1:45AM1.14m
2:48PM1.44m
3:09AM0.93m
3:42PM1.45m
5:11AM0.84m
4:40PM1.47m
Low Tide
6:07AM-0.21m
5:59PM0.50m
6:44AM-0.03m
7:01PM0.53m
7:19AM0.16m
8:13PM0.55m
7:54AM0.37m
9:43PM0.52m
8:31AM0.55m
11:24PM0.42m
9:18AM0.71m
00:41AM0.28m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:54
5:54
5:54
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:00
8:00
7:59
7:59
7:58
7:57
7:57
 mm
Temp °C
21
23
23
21
23
23
21
23
23
21
24
25
23
25
25
23
24
24
22
Feels °C
23
23
23
21
24
23
23
23
23
22
24
25
24
24
24
23
24
24
24
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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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