Cowries Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.58° S 150.88° E

Cowries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cowries sea temperature is
17.9°C
0.7° 

Cowries surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cowries surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with 959 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with NE 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 (Aug 26) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 26th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 7AM (Thu 27th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 9s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 29th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Cowries.

Right off the bat, the best window is shaping up as Thursday the 27th of August through to Sunday the 30th. The water temp is sitting at a pretty standard 64°F for this time of year, so nothing unusual there – just your normal tropical warmth.

Thursday morning the 27th is the standout. We’ve got a solid 6ft S swell with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 560. The wind is a light S cross-off, so those waves will be clean and well-shaped. Cowries is a reef and point break, so that S swell will wrap in nicely. It’s fairly consistent, and crowds are sometimes around, but on a morning like this, get there early and you’ll score.

Friday morning the 28th is also very good – 5ft from the SSE at 11 seconds, moderate energy at 626, and a light SSW cross-off breeze. Clean again, and that longer period will give you some extra push.

Saturday morning the 29th is glassy with a 4ft SSE swell, 8-second period, and moderate energy at 448. That glassy wind is a major plus – it’ll be as smooth as it gets.

Sunday morning the 30th is worth a look too – 6ft from the S at 9 seconds, energy up to 775, but the wind is light cross-shore, so a little bit of bump.

After Sunday, the trend drops off. Monday the 31st gets messy with a strong cross-on wind, and from Tuesday the 1st of September onwards, the swell fades into the 1ft to 3ft range with only weak energy. There’s a long gap of poor conditions from Monday afternoon all the way through to the end of the forecast on Wednesday the 9th of September. Not much to write home about – a few clean mornings with tiny waves, but nothing for a proper session.

So, if you’re keen, point your board at Thursday morning the 27th or Friday morning the 28th. That’s your best bet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
1
3
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
0
2
2
1
2
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
NE
7
1
NE
8
0.9
NE
8
1.5
S
6
1.9
S
8
1.8
S
9
1.4
S
9
1.2
S
9
1.5
SSE
11
1.4
SSE
10
1.3
SSE
9
1.3
SSE
8
1.1
SSE
9
0.9
SE
10
1.7
S
9
1.3
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
17
1.1
SSE
9
1.2
SSE
9
1
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
253
119
86
190
458
494
311
215
521
373
312
212
216
137
461
252
321
225
227
214
Wind (km/h)
15
NNE
5
W
20
SSW
20
S
10
SSW
10
S
5
ESE
10
NW
10
SSW
15
SSE
10
W
5
SE
10
ENE
5
WSW
5
SSE
10
SSE
10
W
5
NNE
25
NE
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
on
off
cross
cross
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
10:03AM1.37m
10:12PM1.33m
Low Tide
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
4:09PM0.26m
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
 mm
4
5
2
Temp °C
17
15
15
15
14
14
14
12
16
15
14
16
15
13
15
15
12
18
17
15
Feels °C
17
14
12
11
11
12
12
10
13
13
13
13
13
12
12
13
10
15
13
13
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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