Cottons Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Cottons Point over the next couple of weeks. Right now we’re in a slow stretch, but there’s one window that’s got me pretty keen.

We start Sunday the 30th of August with a 4 ft SSW swell, but the wind is cross-on from the south at 9 mph, and the combined energy sits at 660 (moderate). It’s a bit choppy and onshore, not great. Water temp’s about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. Monday the 31st drops to 3 ft, still cross-on or onshore, energy down to 514. Tuesday through Thursday the 3rd of September stays tiny and messy—2 ft to 3 ft, mostly cross-on from the west, with poor conditions and light to moderate wind. Not worth wetting the suit.

Friday the 4th shows a slight bump: 3 ft to 4 ft SSW swell with a long period of 16-17 seconds, and combined energy hitting 897. That’s a proper groundswell, but the wind is still cross-on from the west or south, so it’s not clean. The long period means better shape, and at a reef and point like Cottons, that’s a plus—it’ll wrap in nicely. Saturday the 5th is similar at 3 ft, but still cross-on.

Now here’s the real standout: Monday the 7th of September morning. We’ve got 4 ft S groundswell with a 12-second period, combined energy of 812 (moderate), and the wind goes glass—SW at just 3 mph. That’s going to be pure, clean, and silky. The optimum swell direction for Cottons is SW, and this is coming from the S, so the angle is good. With glassy conditions, this is the best session of the whole forecast. It’s a consistent spot, so expect plenty of waves. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so be early.

Tuesday the 8th brings a bigger pulse: 6 ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and combined energy of 1127 (strong). But the wind turns cross-on from the south then west, so it’ll be bumpy and messy. That size is for experts only. Wednesday the 9th drops off quickly to 5 ft and smaller, with more cross-on wind and chop.

From Thursday the 10th onward, it’s a slow fade: 2 ft down to 1 ft swells, poor surf, and mostly cross-on or onshore winds. Combined energy falls into the 200-500 range—weak. Nothing to chase after that Monday the 7th, just a long flat spell with only tiny, marginal pulses.

So the call: best surf is Monday the 7th of September morning at Cottons Point, when glassy conditions and a solid 4 ft S groundswell line up perfectly. It’s a reef and point, so that long-period energy will wrap in proper. The rest of the run is mostly wind-affected and small.

Rusty.

Read more