Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, S swell with 1,070 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 21s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cowries in the next 16 days are 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7PM. 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what's cooking for the next couple of weeks.
I'm not gonna sugarcoat it – it's a slow start. From Thursday the 10th right through to Tuesday the 15th, there's barely a ripple worth mentioning. The swell is small, the wind is messy, and the energy is weak. You're better off doing some repair work on your board.
The first real chance to get wet is Wednesday, September 16th morning at Cowries. We've got a 5ft swell from the south with a 9-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, so the surface should be clean. The combined energy is moderate at 419. It's not firing, but after a week of nothing, it's a start. This is a beginner-friendly reef and point break, and it breaks fairly consistently, so expect a few locals to have the same idea.
The one to get excited about, and I mean really excited, is Friday, September 25th. That morning, Cowries gets a 8ft SSW swell with glassy conditions – a light offshore from the north. That’s as clean as it gets. The energy is strong at 721. This is the best session of the whole run. Water temp is about 64°F, which is normal for the season.
But listen, that Friday afternoon is a whole different story. A massive 15ft S swell rolls in with a 11-second period. The energy is enormous at 4727. That’s way too big for this break. Only experts should even think about it. Stick to the morning glass-off.
Sunday, September 20th morning is another solid option. A 6ft SSE swell with a 11-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze from the northwest will give us clean waves at Cowries. The energy is moderate at 823. It’s a good, solid day.
A heads-up: those longer period swells (11 seconds on the 20th and 25th) are groundswells, which means better-shaped, more powerful waves, but with longer lulls between sets. At a reef and point break like Cowries, that’s actually ideal – the waves will reel off nicely.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is mostly a washout, but don’t lose hope. Friday morning, September 25th is the standout – glassy, solid swell, perfect conditions. Sunday the 20th is a strong backup. Don't bother paddling out before the 16th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 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) | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | NE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1129 | 705 | 951 | 400 | 344 | 230 | 254 | 170 | 118 | 150 | 139 | 112 | 112 | 77 | 31 | 19 | 232 | 333 | 393 | 178 | 216 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:33PM1.61m | 8:09AM1.34m | 8:16PM1.55m | 8:47AM1.40m | 8:58PM1.46m | 9:24AM1.43m | 9:39PM1.34m | 10:00AM1.43m | 10:19PM1.21m | 10:38AM1.40m | 11:02PM1.09m | 11:18AM1.36m | 11:49PM0.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:15PM0.22m | 2:02AM0.04m | 2:03PM0.18m | 2:38AM0.07m | 2:49PM0.17m | 3:11AM0.13m | 3:34PM0.19m | 3:43AM0.21m | 4:19PM0.24m | 4:15AM0.29m | 5:06PM0.30m | 4:48AM0.38m | 5:58PM0.37m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 22 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 10 |
| kJ | 843 | 98 | 627 | 400 | 344 | 230 | 254 | 170 | 118 | 150 | 139 | 112 | 112 | 77 | 24 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 393 | 178 | 216 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 15 | E 14 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 21 | NE 4 | SSE 16 | ENE 13 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | E 13 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | E 12 | E 13 |
| kJ | 19 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 34 | 70 | 83 | 4 | 25 | 17 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 31 | 17 | 13 | 29 | 23 | 3 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 23 | E 16 | S 21 | E 10 | E 10 | E 13 | ENE 14 | ENE 14 | SSE 19 | ENE 13 | — | ENE 13 | E 13 | S 15 | E 12 | E 12 | — | E 14 | E 12 | NE 5 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 102 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 73 | 17 | — | 17 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 3 | — | 14 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNW 2 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 6 | — | NE 5 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1129 | 705 | 951 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 32 | 63 | — | 22 | — | 26 | 232 | 333 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 57 | 0 | 10 | 69 | 0 | 22 | 123 | 0 | 10 | 84 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 90 | 10 | 0 | 67 | 0 |
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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