Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with 1,948 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cowries this week:
The surf forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cowries in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Cowries. First few days are a dud. Tuesday and Wednesday this week are flat, tiny, and just not worth the drive. Don’t even bother.
Thursday the 16th gets things moving with a 5ft southerly swell, short period, and moderate energy. Cross-offshore wind keeps it clean, but it’s nothing special.
The real moment is Sunday morning the 19th through Monday morning the 20th. Sunday shows a 4ft ENE swell, 10-second period, and solid energy. Clean conditions. But Monday morning the 20th is the best of the whole run. You’ve got a 5ft ENE swell, 10-second period, and strong energy. The wind is glassy, dead calm. At a reef and point, that’s about as good as it gets. The swell is coming from the perfect direction for Cowries. Crowds can show up sometimes, but it’s worth it.
Tuesday the 21st morning is still good with 4ft and glassy conditions, and Wednesday the 22nd morning has a 5ft swell with offshore wind. The second week stays pretty steady with waist to chest-high waves, mostly clean, but nothing epic. The last couple of days get hammered by strong wind, so that’s out.
Bottom line: if you can only surf one session, hit Monday morning, the 20th. Glassy, 5ft, perfect direction, and clean. That’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Mon 20 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 6 | S 8 | ENE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | E 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 1948 | 432 | 362 | 317 | 300 | 153 | 35 | 9 | 122 | 65 | 52 | 161 | 328 | 378 | 399 | 416 | 363 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:07AM1.12m | 8:05PM1.80m | 8:59AM1.15m | 8:55PM1.79m | 9:48AM1.18m | 9:44PM1.73m | 10:37AM1.20m | 10:32PM1.62m | 11:25AM1.22m | 11:20PM1.47m | 12:13PM1.24m | 00:08AM1.30m | 1:02PM1.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:07AM-0.03m | 1:32PM0.25m | 2:58AM-0.07m | 2:26PM0.24m | 3:45AM-0.06m | 3:18PM0.25m | 4:31AM-0.02m | 4:11PM0.29m | 5:14AM0.05m | 5:06PM0.34m | 5:55AM0.13m | 6:04PM0.40m | 6:35AM0.23m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — |
 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 9 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 15 | SSE 7 | S 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 8 | ESE 5 | S 10 | E 7 | E 6 | E 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 10 | 20 | 1280 | 5 | 228 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 35 | 9 | 122 | 43 | 52 | 161 | 328 | 378 | 399 | 416 | 363 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | S 10 | S 6 | E 10 | — | — | E 11 | — | S 17 | E 11 | S 16 | ENE 7 | E 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 23 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 65 | 47 | 42 | 27 | 28 | 57 | 75 | 72 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 16 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | E 11 | E 7 | ENE 7 | S 23 | S 21 | S 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | S 9 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 36 | 61 | 52 | 14 | 34 | 33 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 2 | NW 3 | W 3 | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | S 5 | — | SSE 4 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 1948 | 432 | 362 | 317 | 300 | 153 | 74 | 58 | — | 16 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 375 | 375 | 251 | 9 | 10 | 57 | 0 | 10 | 57 | 4 | 80 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cowries Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cowries provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cowries can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cowries 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 (Cowries) 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 Cowries 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.
Cowries is 10 km (6 miles) from the city of Port Kembla. If you plan a holiday in Illawarra, look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Kembla. Port Kembla has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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