
Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,561 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 1AM (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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s comin’ down the line for the local reefs.
We’re lookin’ at a bit of a slow start, but there’s a solid window of surf on the horizon. The first real action kicks off on Tuesday, 8th September, with a pulse of short-period swell from the SSE. It’s not the cleanest start, but we’ll take what we can get.
Tuesday morning sees a 7ft SSE swell with a period of 8 seconds and a cross-off wind from the S at 12 mph. The water’s sittin’ at 64°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 577, and the conditions are clean. It’s a bit of a messy, marginal affair though, so keep expectations in check. By Tuesday afternoon, the wind swings to the ESE and lightens up, but it goes cross-on, making things a bit choppy.
Wednesday the 9th blows up a bit. The morning drops to a tiny 3ft from the S, but the afternoon sees a jump to 8ft from the S with a gusty 22 mph S wind. It’s a cross-off wind, so it looks clean, but the energy is ramped up to 907. That’s a lot of power for a short period swell, and at 8ft it’s gettin’ into expert territory. This is a kite-surfing setup for sure.
Now, Thursday the 10th is where it gets interesting. The swell holds at 8ft to 8ft from the SSE, but the period stretches to 10 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The energy jumps to 1219 and 1315, strong to very strong. Winds are cross-off from the SSW and S, keeping it clean. This is the standout of the first week. The waves are solid, powerful, and clean. Cowries is a reef and point setup, so that long period will wrap in nicely. It’s a big swell though, so this is for experienced surfers only. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Friday the 11th is still solid. The swell eases to 6ft from the SSE, period 9 seconds, with a gentle S breeze at 9 mph. The energy is 596, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” This is a more manageable size and still clean. This is the best bet for a solid session without the full-on power of Thursday. The afternoon gets a bit cross-on, so the morning is the call.
Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are a write-off. Swell drops to 4ft and then 2ft, with periods dropping and wind going onshore or cross-on. The energy drops to 390 and then 112. Poor surf conditions across the board.
Monday the 14th is a bit of a weird one. A small 2ft swell from the S arrives with a 12-second period. The energy is 164 and it’s clean with a light NW wind. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The period is long for that size, so there will be long waits between sets.
Tuesday the 15th is a total mess. Cross-shore winds and a 6ft short-period swell from the SSE with a 7-second period. The energy is 413, but it’s a choppy, poor-quality mess. Not worth paddling out.
Now, here’s the real standout for the second week. Wednesday the 16th September. The morning brings a 5ft SSE swell with a 13-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is 859, strong. The wind is a gentle S breeze at 9 mph, cross-off, making it clean. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the one. A beautiful, long-period groundswell with clean conditions. At 5ft, it’s a perfect size for a point break like Cowries. The long period means it will push in with plenty of power. This is a low crowd risk, but it’s a gem. The afternoon goes a bit cross-on, so make the morning session.
From Thursday the 17th onward, it gets messy again. A mix of small swells from the NE, short periods, and onshore winds. Friday the 18th offers a tiny 2ft NE swell with a 7-second period and offshore winds, but it’s not enough to get excited about. The energy is only 97. The rest of the period through the 23rd is mostly poor, with small, short-period swells and onshore winds. The 22nd shows a 6ft NE swell, but it’s onshore and short period, so it’s a mess.
So, overall: the first week is a bust until the Thursday and Friday pulse, and the real gem is that Wednesday the 16th. Get out there early that day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
575 | 460 | 205 | 84 | 880 | 1895 | 1092 | 1132 | 1209 | 592 | 452 | 277 | 302 | 173 | 123 | 61 | 98 | 92 | 132 | 114 | 80 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:56PM1.59m | 6:46AM1.18m | 6:46PM1.62m | 7:29AM1.27m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:28AM0.35m | 00:42AM0.07m | 12:24PM0.28m | 1:24AM0.04m | 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 | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 25 | 21 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 23 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SSE 22 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
2 | 460 | 205 | 84 | 17 | 49 | 19 | 161 | 860 | 592 | 452 | 277 | 302 | 173 | 123 | 61 | 98 | 92 | 132 | 114 | 80 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 16 | E 16 | SSE 23 | ESE 9 | SE 22 | E 15 | E 14 | SSE 18 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | NE 4 | NE 5 | E 13 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | E 13 | NE 5 |
— | 2 | 54 | 42 | 5 | 5 | 103 | 17 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 30 | 69 | 72 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 10 | E 9 | E 16 | — | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | — | E 10 | E 13 | ENE 14 | E 14 | SSE 19 | SSE 11 | — | ENE 13 | E 13 | — | E 12 |
— | — | 7 | 7 | 5 | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | 2 | 14 | 19 | 16 | 73 | 43 | — | 17 | 13 | — | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | — | NW 2 | SSW 4 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | NNW 2 | — | NE 5 | — | — | NE 6 | — |
575 | — | 1 | 9 | 880 | 1895 | 1092 | 1132 | 1209 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 1 | — | 23 | — | — | 17 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 63 | 0 | 10 | 836 | 19 | 57 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 0 | 10 | 123 | 0 | 10 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 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.










