Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, S swell with 388 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cowries in the next 16 days are 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Honestly, the next two weeks for Cowries are a bit of a struggle. We’ve got a long stretch of small, messy, and mostly onshore waves, so you’ll need to be patient. The best of what’s on offer is pretty ordinary, but there are a couple of windows where the conditions might just line up for a fun session.
The first real chance comes on Thursday morning, 27 August. The swell is only 3 feet from the ENE with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 153. But the wind is glassy, absolutely dead calm, and the water is a warm 64° – about average for the time of year. It’s a beginner-friendly reef and point, but the waves are small and inconsistent, so don’t expect much. It’s a morning for a longboard or a foamie.
Another slim window appears on Tuesday morning, 1 September. The swell is similar at 3 feet from the S, with a period of 11 seconds and a combined energy of 217. The wind is light and cross-offshore, keeping things clean. Again, it’s surfable but very ordinary. The longer period means the lines will be cleaner, but the size is tiny.
The only other standout is Saturday morning, 5 September, but it’s a week and a half out, so keep that in mind. The forecast shows a 2 foot S swell with an 11-second period, and the wind is offshore from the W at 19 mph. The combined energy is 197. That offshore wind is the big positive, but the swell is tiny. For a reef and point setup, that long period and clean wind could make for some fun, peelers, even if small.
The rest of the days are filled with poor conditions or onshore slop. The 31st of August has a long-period 17-second swell from the SSE, but it’s cross-on and messy, so not worth the paddle. The energy is there (346), but without the wind, it’s a no-go.
Overall, it’s a quiet period. If you’re desperate, the Thursday morning glass-off or the offshore Saturday in the second week are your best bets. Otherwise, wait for the next system.
Stay patient, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 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) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 6 | 6 | 85 | 161 | 166 | 161 | 94 | 70 | 69 | 39 | 67 | 117 | 166 | 143 | 95 | 103 | 103 | 141 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:49AM0.84m | 3:59PM1.27m | 4:58AM0.87m | 4:56PM1.32m | 5:50AM0.92m | 5:44PM1.38m | 6:32AM0.98m | 6:26PM1.44m | 7:08AM1.05m | 7:04PM1.49m | 7:43AM1.13m | 7:41PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:06PM0.48m | 9:02AM0.56m | 11:09PM0.43m | 10:09AM0.54m | 11:58PM0.37m | 11:07AM0.50m | 00:38AM0.30m | 11:55AM0.44m | 1:12AM0.24m | 12:39PM0.38m | 1:45AM0.18m | 1:20PM0.33m | 2:16AM0.14m | ||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |
 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 18 | 6 | 6 | 85 | 161 | 76 | 161 | 94 | 70 | 69 | 32 | 67 | 117 | 166 | 143 | 95 | 103 | 103 | 141 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 8 | S 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 16 | S 11 | NE 4 | NE 5 | S 18 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 48 | 166 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 61 | 39 | 24 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 30 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 6 | S 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 13 | — | NE 9 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SE 15 | S 15 | E 15 | SE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | 8 | 7 | 3 | — | 22 | 25 | 25 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | NE 6 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | — | W 2 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 129 | 289 | 219 | 0 | 10 | 67 | 3 | 3 | 73 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 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.
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