Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SE swell with 2,544 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 2.4m and 10s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Cowries. The water here is sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year – nothing wild, just a little bonus.
The overall pattern is a bit of a mixed bag. There’s some solid swell on the way, but the winds aren’t always going to play nice.
The first proper swell of note kicks off on the 5th of July, Sunday afternoon. We’re looking at a 10ft swell from the SSE with a 12-second period. That’s a decent groundswell, pushing a lot of energy (2799). But the catch is a strong 16 mph cross-off wind from the South. It’s rideable, but with that wind and the size, it’s really for experienced surfers only, not a beginner’s day. The break is an ENE-facing reef and point, so that SSE direction is a bit off its optimum.
The 7th of July, Tuesday, sees the energy build further. The afternoon brings a 10ft swell from the SE at 11 seconds, with an energy reading of 4557. The wind is still cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph. It’s powerful, but that cross-off wind will keep the face a little bumpy.
We get a bit of a lull from the 9th through the 12th. The swell drops off, and the conditions get pretty ordinary. There are some glassy moments on the morning of the 11th, but with only a 4ft swell, it’s not much to write home about.
For the best on offer, you’ve got to look ahead to the 17th of July. Friday morning shows a 8ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is solid at 1876 and the conditions are forecast to be excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the real standout.
Then on the 20th of July, Monday afternoon, the winds finally turn offshore from the West at 12 mph. You’ve got a 8ft swell from the SSE, energy of 969, and clean conditions. It’s a good call for a late session.
The rest of the second week sees a drop in swell size, with a few bigger pulses that are messy. The 16th of July brings 10ft but with a strong 19 mph cross-off wind, which is more of a kite-surfing sort of day than a paddle session.
So, to wrap it up: keep your eyes on the 17th of July for the morning session, and the 20th of July for the afternoon. Those are your best bets for some quality waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2798 | 1575 | 1313 | 1293 | 1673 | 1792 | 2460 | 1915 | 1195 | 1042 | 738 | 681 | 614 | 471 | 531 | 542 | 399 | 225 | 189 | 213 | 173 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 11:40PM1.34m | 12:45PM1.16m | 00:27AM1.26m | 1:35PM1.22m | 1:24AM1.17m | 2:29PM1.30m | 2:31AM1.09m | 3:26PM1.39m | 3:46AM1.05m | 4:24PM1.49m | 5:01AM1.03m | 5:22PM1.59m | 6:10AM1.05m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:30PM0.49m | 6:22AM0.21m | 6:27PM0.50m | 7:03AM0.23m | 7:33PM0.49m | 7:49AM0.26m | 8:46PM0.45m | 8:41AM0.29m | 10:01PM0.37m | 9:39AM0.31m | 11:11PM0.26m | 10:39AM0.31m | 00:15AM0.15m | 11:39AM0.30m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 |
 | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | 5:00 |
mm | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 20 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 13 | E 14 | E 16 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1360 | 1299 | 2097 | 1625 | 1195 | 899 | 738 | 681 | 614 | 471 | 531 | 542 | 399 | 225 | 189 | 213 | 173 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 16 | S 20 | — | ESE 13 | — | — | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 21 | S 16 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 8 | — | 373 | — | — | 265 | 406 | 275 | 140 | — | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 18 | 28 | 93 | 58 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 23 | S 18 | S 21 | S 20 | S 19 | — | — | SE 11 | ESE 14 | E 8 | S 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 7 | — | — | 5 | 40 | 31 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | SSE 10 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 |
| kJ | 2798 | 1575 | 1313 | 1293 | 1673 | 1792 | 2460 | 1915 | — | 1042 | 585 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 443 | 219 | 144 | 19 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 22 |
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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