
Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,507 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s 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 16) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 16) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 18 | S 10 | S 12 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1818 | 1643 | 2364 | 920 | 572 | 349 | 333 | 271 | 110 | 81 | 63 | 90 | 108 | 113 | 70 | 132 | 324 | 245 | 332 | 163 | 205 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:18AM1.36m | 11:49PM0.98m | 12:04PM1.30m | 00:46AM0.90m | 12:59PM1.24m | 2:00AM0.85m | 2:06PM1.22m | 3:22AM0.85m | 3:16PM1.23m | 4:29AM0.90m | 4:17PM1.27m | 5:18AM0.97m | 5:07PM1.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:58PM0.37m | 5:25AM0.47m | 6:58PM0.43m | 6:10AM0.54m | 8:09PM0.47m | 7:10AM0.59m | 9:24PM0.46m | 8:27AM0.61m | 10:27PM0.42m | 9:41AM0.58m | 11:15PM0.36m | 10:42AM0.52m | 11:53PM0.29m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 26 | 26 | 18 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 5 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 24 | 23 | 14 | 24 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 14 | NE 12 | E 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 18 | S 8 | S 7 | S 10 | S 12 | SSE 8 | S 11 | E 11 | S 8 | SSE 8 |
20 | 6 | 3 | 920 | 572 | 349 | 333 | 271 | 110 | 81 | 63 | 6 | 108 | 35 | 70 | 132 | 324 | 89 | 2 | 116 | 181 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 15 | S 18 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SE 7 | SSE 20 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | NE 4 | NE 4 | S 15 | S 19 | SSE 11 | SSE 19 |
— | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 64 | 58 | 53 | 57 | 29 | 2 | 76 | 113 | 53 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 30 | 39 | 205 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 13 | S 19 | S 19 | E 13 | E 12 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | E 12 | E 4 | S 11 | NE 4 | E 11 | E 11 | — | NE 11 | SSE 19 | SSE 10 |
— | — | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 38 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 5 | 71 | 34 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 11 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | WNW 2 | — | NE 4 | S 10 | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | SSE 4 | — | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — |
1818 | 1643 | 2364 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 3 | 90 | — | 2 | 5 | 32 | — | 245 | 332 | 163 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 632 | 632 | 10 | 0 | 107 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 63 | 90 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










