
Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, SSE swell with 1,251 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 1.8m 14s 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Cowries over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, the run-up is a bit of a slow burner. Nothing truly firing until the first few days of August. The water temperature sits at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a bit more tropical than we’re used to, but not a shock.
We kick off on Friday, 24 July, with a clean, light offshored 4ft south swell. The combined energy is weak (232), so it’s small and pretty ordinary. Saturday morning, 25 July, is a nice step up: 5ft of south swell with a cross-offshore breeze, still moderate energy (450), and the afternoon goes glassy at 4ft (269). That’s clean, but don’t expect to get worked. Sunday morning, 26 July, repeats the pattern: 5ft south swell, offshores, moderate energy (473). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.
Then we hit a dead patch. From Monday, 27 July, right through to the end of the month, the swell drops right off. Monday morning is 3ft and glassy, but the energy is weak (189). By Tuesday it’s knee-high dribble, 2ft, and Wednesday sees a lumpy 5ft “south” swell that’s actually a short-period windswell – poor quality. Thursday and Friday stay small and messy. That’s a solid four-day gap with barely anything worth paddling out for.
Saturday, 1 August, is still tiny – 2ft – but then Sunday, 2 August, is where things get wild. The models are pointing to a massive 13ft south swell, with very strong energy (4564). That’s too big for this break, plain and simple. Unless you’re a pro with a death wish, give it a miss – it’s more of a kitesurfing day. Monday, 3 August, drops back to 7ft south-southeast, with clean offshore winds and moderate energy (766). That would be a solid day for experienced surfers, but the morning is the pick.
The real standout, though, is the end of the window. Thursday, 6 August afternoon, delivers a 5ft south-southeast groundswell with a very long 14-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1281). The wind is cross-offshore and clean. This is a classic reef-and-point setup, so that long-period swell will wrap in beautifully and offer proper shaped waves. Then Friday, 7 August morning, is the best of the whole forecast: 7ft from the east-southeast, an even longer 13-second period, and that energy is pumping (1480). The wind is a light cross-offshore, almost glassy. This is excellent, powerful surf, but at 7ft it’s for experienced surfers only. The break can get crowded sometimes, so get in early.
The following Saturday, 8 August, is still fun: 4ft with glassy conditions and moderate energy (374), a mellow end to the run.
If you’re chasing the best, aim for Thursday 6 August afternoon and Friday 7 August morning. The earlier stuff is only worth a paddle if you’re desperate. The long gap mid-week is normal for this area – it’s not a consistent powerhouse, but when it does turn on, it’s worth the wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | S 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 17 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 8 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
196 | 657 | 1009 | 441 | 260 | 345 | 470 | 308 | 225 | 175 | 145 | 79 | 34 | 22 | 11 | 7 | 279 | 139 | 85 | 144 | 228 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:34PM1.32m | 5:19AM0.88m | 5:25PM1.36m | 6:13AM0.91m | 6:10PM1.41m | 6:57AM0.95m | 6:52PM1.47m | 7:37AM0.99m | 7:32PM1.51m | 8:14AM1.03m | 8:09PM1.54m | 8:50AM1.07m | 8:44PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:37PM0.41m | 10:35AM0.50m | 00:26AM0.36m | 11:28AM0.48m | 1:07AM0.30m | 12:15PM0.44m | 1:45AM0.24m | 12:58PM0.41m | 2:21AM0.20m | 1:39PM0.37m | 2:55AM0.16m | 2:18PM0.35m | 3:27AM0.14m | ||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 9 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 4 | 16 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 7 | E 6 | SSE 17 | SSE 6 | S 8 | SSE 12 |
196 | 657 | 1009 | 441 | 260 | 345 | 470 | 308 | 225 | 175 | 145 | 79 | 34 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 29 | 85 | 144 | 228 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SE 14 | SE 16 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | SE 13 | S 18 | SE 13 | S 10 | SSE 13 | E 13 |
29 | 18 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 29 | 53 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSE 19 | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | S 14 | SE 18 | NE 8 | E 8 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 17 | SE 13 | E 13 | SSE 15 | E 12 | E 8 |
7 | 37 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 46 | 3 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | — | WNW 3 | W 3 | — | WSW 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NNE 4 | WNW 2 | SW 3 | S 8 | SSE 7 | — | — | — |
1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 9 | 1 | 2 | 279 | 139 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 156 | 190 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 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.










