Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SW swell with 553 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 (Sep 16) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s cooking at Cottons Point over the next couple of weeks.
Look, I won’t sugarcoat it – the first week is pretty quiet. The swell is small and most of the time we’ve got a cross-onshore breeze messing with the surface. The water is sitting at 73°, which is a good three degrees warmer than average for September, so it feels like a warm bath out there.
The first proper sign of life shows up around Saturday the 19th of September. A long-period groundswell from the SW is pushing through with a 18-second interval, and while the wave height is only about 3ft (0.8m), that long-period energy (504 combined energy) will produce some cleaner lines breaking over the reef and point. The morning wind is light and onshore, so the surface should be fairly clean.
Your standout window, though, is Monday the 21st of September. The swell nudges up to 3ft (1.0m) from the SW with a 17-second period and a combined energy of 630. That’s the biggest and most consistent pulse in the entire outlook. The wind is light and onshore in the morning, which is your best shot at a decent, uncrowded session before the breeze picks up.
After that, it’s a slow slide. The swell drops back to 3ft (0.8m) or smaller, the period shortens below 15 seconds, and the wind stays cross or onshore through the next week. Honestly, if you want a wave, make that Monday your target.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 150 | 190 | 161 | 127 | 114 | 390 | 229 | 366 | 288 | 275 | 405 | 303 | 303 | 234 | 379 | 375 | 375 | 455 | 522 | 499 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 7:35AM1.13m | 5:38PM1.39m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:54AM0.95m | 1:02AM0.17m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | 94 | 59 | 57 | 57 | 88 | 390 | 229 | 366 | 288 | 275 | 405 | 183 | 303 | 21 | 379 | 375 | 375 | 82 | 78 | 78 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 150 | 190 | 161 | 122 | 21 | 11 | 74 | 65 | 160 | 162 | 156 | 303 | 158 | 139 | 26 | 27 | 31 | 455 | 522 | 499 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | S 9 | W 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 12 | W 11 | W 6 | S 11 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 15 | 9 | 28 | 14 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 234 | 99 | 96 | 85 | 48 | 76 | 51 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 8 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 65 | 65 | 88 | 22 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 82 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 26 |
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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