Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, SSE swell with 1,064 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with ENE 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 22) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 1.9m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Cowries.
We're in for a bit of a slow start, but the back half of the outlook has some real firepower. The first few days look pretty average, with small, weak swell and tricky winds. The wait is worth it, though, because from Friday the 24th July onwards, we see a proper pulse of energy.
The first standout arrives on Friday, 24th July. We've got a 8ft S swell rolling in with a solid 9-second period, and the combined energy is a strong 1325. The wind is offshore from the WSW, 9 mph, set to produce clean, well-shaped waves. The morning session is looking prime, but the afternoon gets even better—glassing off completely with light S winds and an 11-second period swell at 6ft. That Friday afternoon is pure magic material: clean, glassy, and good energy. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal at 65°, so it's a nice little bonus.
Saturday, 25th July is still very good, with a 5ft S swell and 10-second period. The morning offshore flow from the W will keep it clean, but the wind picks up a bit in the arvo. It's still surfable, just not as perfect as Friday.
The next big standout is a powerful one, but it's for experienced surfers only. On Thursday, 30th July, the swell jumps to a massive 12ft overnight, with an 11-second period and a combined energy reading of 4769. The morning is clean with a light NNW cross-shore, but that's a lot of water moving. This is expert territory. The following day, Friday, 31st July, is still pumping with a 10ft SSE swell and a 12-second period. The morning has a light cross-offshore wind, making it clean and lined up. This is excellent for the crew who can handle it.
If you're not an expert, the best bet for the second week is Sunday, 2nd August. The swell drops to a more manageable 6ft from the S, with a 10-second period and a combined energy of 1044. A light SW cross-offshore breeze will keep the faces clean. It's a solid, very good day for the average surfer.
All in all, the first week is a bit of a write-off, but we've got a stunner of a Friday and Saturday, and then a heavy, heavy window for the big-wave chargers. Keep your eyes on the 24th and 25th, and if you've got the balls, the 30th and 31st.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the E by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 218 | 179 | 175 | 103 | 94 | 73 | 252 | 758 | 773 | 849 | 418 | 214 | 410 | 384 | 339 | 186 | 107 | 101 | 49 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | on | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:56AM1.01m | 2:47PM1.27m | 3:03AM0.92m | 3:41PM1.29m | 4:14AM0.88m | 4:34PM1.32m | 5:19AM0.88m | 5:25PM1.36m | 6:13AM0.91m | 6:10PM1.41m | 6:57AM0.95m | 6:52PM1.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:58AM0.40m | 9:29PM0.49m | 8:46AM0.46m | 10:38PM0.46m | 9:40AM0.49m | 11:37PM0.41m | 10:35AM0.50m | 00:26AM0.36m | 11:28AM0.48m | 1:07AM0.30m | 12:15PM0.44m | 1:45AM0.24m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 218 | 179 | 175 | 103 | 94 | 73 | 252 | 390 | 773 | 849 | 418 | 214 | 410 | 384 | 339 | 186 | 107 | 101 | 49 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 10 | SE 15 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 17 | 19 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 32 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 31 | 8 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | E 9 | S 6 | SE 8 | E 7 | S 18 | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SE 16 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | 6 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 25 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 2 | — | — | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | S 9 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 4 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 758 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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