Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, S swell with 612 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. We’re looking at Cowries, a reef and point set-up that’s fairly consistent and beginner-friendly, though it’s going to be a frustrating stretch for the most part with only a couple of bright spots.
The water temp here sits at 64°F with a 1°F anomaly, so about average for this time of year – nothing to write home about on the warmth front.
The real story is the wait. The first week and a half is mostly a write-off for surf. There’s a glassy moment on Thursday morning the 27th of August, with a 5ft swell from the south, period around 8 seconds, and light winds. The combined energy is moderate (313). That’s the one standout early on – clean, glassy, and a bit of push. It’s not huge, but it’s the best of the bunch by a long shot. The swell direction is off the optimum for the spot (ENE is best), so it won’t be perfect, but it’ll be sessionable.
After that, we slide into a long, slow grind. From the 28th of August right through to the 6th of September, the swell drops and stays small – mostly 1ft to 3ft, with short periods under 10 seconds. The energy levels are weak, often under 100 or just scraping into the triple digits. The wind is frequently glassy or light offshore, but the waves just aren’t there. You’ll see some clean conditions, but it’s shoebox surf – not worth paddling out for.
The one other moment that might catch your eye is Tuesday morning the 8th of September, with a 3ft swell from the ENE (that’s the optimum direction), period 7 seconds, and a gentle offshore wind from the west. Combined energy is a moderate 128. It’s small, but with offshore winds and the right direction, Cowries might offer a few fun little runners for the longboard or a mid-length.
So, the call: Thursday morning the 27th of August is your best bet – glassy, decent size, and the best wave quality of the whole outlook. The 8th of September is a distant second if you’re desperate. Everything else is flat or junk. Don’t get your hopes up for the rest of the window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 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 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | S 6 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 11 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 90 | 67 | 220 | 64 | 111 | 140 | 109 | 161 | 383 | 251 | 103 | 388 | 160 | 141 | 197 | 192 | 188 | 133 | 92 | 67 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:44PM1.38m | 6:32AM0.98m | 6:26PM1.44m | 7:08AM1.05m | 7:04PM1.49m | 7:43AM1.13m | 7:41PM1.52m | 8:17AM1.20m | 8:17PM1.52m | 8:51AM1.27m | 8:53PM1.49m | 9:26AM1.33m | 9:31PM1.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:07AM0.50m | 00:38AM0.30m | 11:55AM0.44m | 1:12AM0.24m | 12:39PM0.38m | 1:45AM0.18m | 1:20PM0.33m | 2:16AM0.14m | 2:00PM0.29m | 2:46AM0.12m | 2:41PM0.26m | 3:17AM0.12m | 3:23PM0.25m | 3:49AM0.14m | |||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 11 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 90 | 67 | 97 | 64 | 111 | 140 | 109 | 80 | 65 | 251 | 103 | 388 | 160 | 141 | 197 | 192 | 188 | 133 | 92 | 67 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | S 18 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | — | S 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | S 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 30 | 6 | 44 | 26 | 26 | 6 | 19 | — | 5 | 41 | 41 | 46 | 39 | 69 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 38 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 13 | S 18 | ENE 9 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | — | — | — | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | — | S 15 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 7 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 25 | 25 | — | — | — | 21 | 37 | — | 4 | 38 | 1 | 8 | 8 | — | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNW 2 | — | — | S 4 | S 6 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 67 | 57 | 220 | 1 | — | — | 16 | 161 | 383 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 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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