
Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, S swell with 1,195 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 15s. 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 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a slow start, but there’s a run of surf coming through from Sunday the 26th of July right through to the afternoon of Saturday the 1st of August. After that, it’s a long, flat stretch with barely a ripple until the very end of the outlook. The only real action is at Cottons Point, a reef and point set-up that likes a good SW swell.
The best of it kicks off on Sunday afternoon, July 26th. The water is sitting at 71°F – that’s 4°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so it’s a seriously warm one. We’ve got a 4ft SW groundswell rolling in with a very long 18-second period. That’s proper energy for a point break like this, with moderate wave energy (789). The wind is a light 10 km/h WSW breeze, which is directly offshore here. That’s going to groom it up beautifully. It’s a clean, glassy setup for the intermediate surfer, but keep in mind, the crowds can be there sometimes. This is the standout window.
Monday morning, July 27th, is where it might just peak. The swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSW, still a long 18-second period, and the energy is strong (1129). Clean offshore wind again with a light 10 km/h from the SSW. For a point break, a long-period swell like this is a dream – better shaped waves, more energy, and longer lulls between sets. It’s going to be a ripper morning.
The quality holds through the rest of the week. Thursday afternoon, July 30th, the swell pushes to 5ft from the south with a 14-second period. The wind is a light offshore from the WSW. Energy is moderate (1045). Friday, July 31st, the swell is 6ft from the SSW, dropping to a 13-second period, but still a good clean wave with light winds. The energy is moderate (1105) in the morning.
By Saturday, August 1st, the swell is easing back to 5ft and the period is down to 12 seconds. Still rideable, but the magic is fading. The wind stays light offshore.
Then from Sunday, August 2nd, the bottom falls out. Swell drops to 2–2ft, winds turn cross-onshore, and the energy is weak (less than 300). That flat spell stretches for over a week, with only tiny, poor-condition waves from the 2nd through to the 10th of August. There is a flicker of life on Thursday, August 6th, with a 1ft, 21-second period swell, but it’s too small to do anything with. The run ends with a slight uptick on Saturday, August 8th afternoon, with a 3ft SSW swell and 16-second period, but the energy is low and the conditions are only marginal.
So, for the whole 16-day window, your best bet is the first week—specifically Sunday the 26th through Friday the 31st of July. After that, it’s a long wait for anything worthwhile.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
743 | 719 | 1056 | 893 | 771 | 932 | 1020 | 818 | 612 | 724 | 590 | 518 | 1016 | 1195 | 1074 | 1018 | 975 | 656 | 585 | 161 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:47PM1.70m | 9:35AM1.11m | 8:23PM1.76m | 9:59AM1.15m | 8:55PM1.80m | 10:24AM1.19m | 9:27PM1.80m | 10:49AM1.24m | 9:59PM1.76m | 11:17AM1.29m | 10:31PM1.68m | 11:45AM1.34m | 11:06PM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:58PM0.58m | 5:03AM-0.09m | 4:35PM0.55m | 5:29AM-0.02m | 5:17PM0.54m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
7:53 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 |
743 | 719 | 1056 | 893 | 771 | 932 | 1020 | 818 | 612 | 724 | 590 | 518 | 1016 | 1195 | 1074 | 1018 | 975 | 656 | 585 | 161 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | S 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 6 | W 21 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 13 |
21 | 25 | 52 | 37 | 33 | 47 | 33 | 131 | 231 | 280 | 499 | 358 | 14 | 40 | 31 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 17 | 138 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 11 | S 11 | SW 12 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 18 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | S 13 |
25 | 40 | 21 | 37 | 6 | 9 | 30 | 21 | 34 | 23 | 13 | 13 | 15 | — | — | — | 18 | 15 | 15 | 84 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 150 | 65 | 65 | 135 | 4 | 65 | 82 | 30 | 65 | 135 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 65 |
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.










