Cowries Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.58° S 150.88° E

Cowries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cowries sea temperature is
18.4° C
1.0° 

Cowries surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cowries surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with 785 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period with SE 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Best Surf 4PM (Wed 5th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s ahead for Cowries. It’s a reef and point set-up, fairly exposed to the swell. The water is sitting at 65°F, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year.

We’re looking at a bit of a slow start, but things will build. The first real action kicks off on Saturday morning, the 1st of August. We’ve got a clean 5 ft swell from the SSE with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy, light from the SSW. It’s not a massive day, but with those conditions, expect some clean, fun waves. The combined energy is moderate at 356. The afternoon holds similar, with a 5 ft swell and glassy NNE wind, keeping it tidy.

Sunday the 2nd brings a jump in size. The morning sees a 5 ft SE swell, but the period stretches to 12 seconds, which is a nice long-period groundswell. The wind, however, is a cross-shore from the N at 9 mph, making it a bit choppy. The energy is strong—803. It’s fair to say it’s more for the experienced crew, as the longer period can make beach breaks a bit wonky, but on a reef and point like Cowries, it could be lined up. The afternoon gets messy with strong onshore wind, so the morning is the call.

Monday the 3rd drops off significantly. The morning is a cross-off shore wind but the swell is only 3 ft, and it’s just not enough. The afternoon is more of the same with a tiny 2 ft. The next few days, from Tuesday the 4th through Thursday morning the 6th, are flat or tiny. You’ll be waiting.

Now, here’s a standout. Wednesday afternoon, the 5th of August. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the S with a short 8-second period, but the combined energy is strong at 837. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSW. Conditions should be clean, and that size is punchy. It’s a genuine highlight in the forecast.

Thursday the 6th morning is glassy with a 4 ft S swell, but it’s a bit ordinary. Friday the 7th morning is another good one: 6 ft from the SSE, glassy wind, and good energy (482). That’s a solid call for a morning session.

The following week is a mixed bag. There’s a notable window from Tuesday the 11th through Thursday the 13th, with moderate offshore winds, but the swell is inconsistent in size. Then we get to the big stuff. Friday the 14th of August morning is a standout: a 10 ft east swell, very strong energy (1126), and a moderate offshore wind from the WSW. That’s big, clean, and for experts only. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and fat, but the power is undeniable.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th see huge energy, with 10 ft and 8 ft swells, but the wind is strong, gusting over 25 mph, making it very unruly. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

Overall, the best window is Saturday morning the 1st, Wednesday afternoon the 5th, and Friday morning the 7th for the cleaner, more manageable waves. The big stuff on the 14th is for the brave only.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu morning).

Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
9
1.4
SE
11
1.6
SE
12
1.4
SE
12
1.1
SE
11
0.8
SE
10
0.7
SE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.2
SSE
10
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
8
0.6
S
6
1.9
S
8
1.2
S
8
1.3
S
8
1.7
S
8
2
SSE
9
1.8
SSE
9
1.6
SSE
8
1.4
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
351
311
530
785
514
314
132
106
28
10
16
5
29
513
181
217
400
627
477
346
232
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
5
NNE
10
NW
15
N
25
NE
10
NNW
20
NW
15
WSW
15
W
20
W
25
WSW
25
W
15
WSW
10
SSW
15
W
5
SSW
10
ESE
10
WSW
5
SSE
10
SE
10
W
Wind State
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
10:02AM1.16m
9:55PM1.47m
10:39AM1.20m
10:33PM1.40m
11:19AM1.25m
11:14PM1.30m
12:04PM1.29m
00:03AM1.20m
12:54PM1.32m
1:03AM1.09m
1:52PM1.36m
2:17AM1.00m
2:58PM1.41m
3:40AM0.97m
Low Tide
3:39PM0.35m
4:30AM0.15m
4:23PM0.37m
5:03AM0.17m
5:12PM0.39m
5:39AM0.21m
6:08PM0.41m
6:20AM0.26m
7:14PM0.42m
7:09AM0.32m
8:31PM0.40m
8:08AM0.37m
9:51PM0.34m
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:19
 mm
2
Temp °C
12
13
13
18
17
15
21
21
12
16
15
11
16
16
11
15
14
12
14
14
11
Feels °C
11
12
11
13
11
12
17
16
8
9
8
4
11
13
7
12
11
9
11
11
8
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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