
Surf Forecasts:
Cottons Point surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSW swell with 807 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cottons Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next stretch.
Right off the bat, I’ll be straight with you – things are looking pretty grim around here. The whole 16-day window is a real struggle, with no proper standout sessions at all. The first real surf we see is from the 10th of August, but it’s not worth getting excited about. For the first few days, we’ve got a mix of onshore and cross-onshore winds messing up any decent shape. The swell is tiny, and the conditions are just poor.
We’re looking at Cottons Point, a reef and point break that’s consistent and exposed to the SW. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on there. The first couple of days, Monday and Tuesday the 10th and 11th, are a write-off. Swell is a paltry 2 ft to 3 ft from the SSW, with periods all over the place. The combined energy is weak to moderate (319 to 453), but it doesn’t matter because the wind is junk.
Wednesday the 12th into Thursday the 13th stays poor. You’re still looking at tiny swell, 2 ft to 3 ft, and winds are either on or cross-onshore. The energy picks up a bit (267 to 440), but it’s still messy and choppy.
The weekend of the 15th and 16th of August shows a little more push, with swell heights reaching 3 ft to 4 ft from the SSW on Saturday, and the combined energy climbing into the strong range (586 to 712). But here’s the kicker – the wind is still cross or cross-onshore, and the surf is described as marginal at best. For a spot like Cottons, that’s not gonna cut it.
The following week, from the 17th of August right through to the 25th, it’s the same sad story. Swell drops back to 1 ft to 3 ft, with periods mostly in the 14 to 18 second range. The wind doesn’t give us a break, staying cross-onshore or onshore. Even when the energy is moderate (207 to 472), the quality is just not there. You’ll see a few mornings labeled as “marginal,” but with the wind direction, it’s hard to see any real windows.
The only flicker of hope is maybe early on the 20th of August, with a light onshore breeze and some rain showers, but that’s still a 3 ft swell. It’s not a surf day, it’s a “stay in bed” day.
Bottom line: there’s nothing here that’s worth paddling out for. The wind is the enemy, and the swell is too small and wonky to fight it. This is a blank run, plain and simple. It’s one of those stretches where the forecasts can change, but right now, save your wax.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat night, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 14 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
207 | 186 | 184 | 95 | 252 | 316 | 195 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 358 | 280 | 302 | 404 | 807 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 551 | 489 | 367 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:47AM1.21m | 7:49PM2.03m | 9:21AM1.31m | 8:37PM2.07m | 9:55AM1.40m | 9:22PM2.03m | 10:28AM1.47m | 10:06PM1.92m | 11:02AM1.53m | 10:48PM1.74m | 11:37AM1.55m | 11:31PM1.52m | 12:11PM1.55m | 00:18AM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:39PM0.62m | 3:07AM-0.35m | 2:30PM0.50m | 3:44AM-0.35m | 3:17PM0.40m | 4:19AM-0.29m | 4:04PM0.34m | 4:52AM-0.17m | 4:50PM0.32m | 5:23AM-0.01m | 5:38PM0.33m | 5:51AM0.17m | 6:30PM0.37m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 |
207 | 156 | 154 | 95 | 252 | 316 | 195 | 264 | 306 | 255 | 358 | 280 | 217 | 404 | 807 | 417 | 683 | 666 | 551 | 489 | 367 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SW 14 | SSW 9 | SW 14 | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | W 6 |
106 | 186 | 184 | 75 | 98 | 55 | 52 | 61 | 35 | 62 | 68 | 51 | 302 | 214 | 29 | 191 | 2 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | SW 12 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | S 10 | SSW 11 | WSW 8 | SSW 9 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 11 |
3 | 39 | 33 | 51 | 75 | 44 | 44 | 49 | 27 | 23 | 44 | 149 | 28 | 64 | 14 | 29 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 57 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | — | — | W 6 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | SW 11 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | — |
3 | — | — | 2 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 12 | — | 57 | 6 | 8 | 12 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 87 | 4 | 0 | 87 | 87 | 87 |
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.











