Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,541 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s on the cards for Cowries.
Right off the bat, we've got a bit of a flat spell. The first surf worth talking about doesn't show up until Tuesday morning, the 15th of September. Before that, it’s a whole lot of nothing. The water temp is sitting around 65°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, nothing wild there.
Tuesday the 15th, we get a small window. The early morning at Cowries has a tiny 2ft from the NE, but the real treat is the wind – light and clean with a cross-off breeze. It’s not going to be a world-beater, but for a quiet paddle it’s surfable.
Wednesday the 16th is where things get interesting. A solid 10ft to 12ft swell from the S rolls in, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is massive – hitting 1708 and then 2262. It’s clean with a cross-off breeze in the morning and afternoon, but let’s be real: 12ft is big. The Thursday morning the 17th keeps that energy going with another 10ft from the S, but it’s still only for the brave. This is expert territory, no two ways about it. For the average surfer, the afternoon on the 18th of September is your true standout. Friday morning brings glassy conditions, an offshore from the E at just 3 mph, and a clean 5ft swell from the SSE. The energy is a moderate 345. That’s the best session of the whole run.
After that, it drops away. Saturday the 19th is tiny with a 1ft, long period 17-second SSE groundswell. It’s glassy in the morning, but honestly, it’s too small to get excited about. There’s a long stretch of poor conditions and small swell from the 20th through to the 24th.
A quick note on the 27th of September – we see a 5ft to 6ft NE windswell with onshore breezes. Plenty of energy but messy. Not worth the trip unless you’re desperate to get wet.
Best on offer: Friday morning, the 18th of September. That 5ft SSE groundswell with glassy conditions will be clean as a whistle. It’s not huge, but it’ll have shape and you’ll get waves to yourself if you’re up early.
That’s all from me. Keep your eyes on that Friday morning window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sun night, fresh winds from the S by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 106 | 162 | 85 | 56 | 52 | 47 | 30 | 1215 | 1702 | 2252 | 2340 | 1662 | 739 | 436 | 336 | 301 | 102 | 57 | 59 | 25 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:39PM1.34m | 10:00AM1.43m | 10:19PM1.21m | 10:38AM1.40m | 11:02PM1.09m | 11:18AM1.36m | 11:49PM0.98m | 12:04PM1.30m | 00:46AM0.90m | 12:59PM1.24m | 2:00AM0.85m | 2:06PM1.22m | 3:22AM0.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:43AM0.21m | 4:19PM0.24m | 4:15AM0.29m | 5:06PM0.30m | 4:48AM0.38m | 5:58PM0.37m | 5:25AM0.47m | 6:58PM0.43m | 6:10AM0.54m | 8:09PM0.47m | 7:10AM0.59m | 9:24PM0.46m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 25 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 12 | E 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 106 | 71 | 46 | 56 | 52 | 47 | 30 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1129 | 739 | 436 | 336 | 301 | 102 | 55 | 37 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | S 10 | S 11 | ENE 13 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | E 14 | E 14 | E 15 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 17 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 17 | 106 | 85 | 17 | 31 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 48 | 55 | 58 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 13 | E 13 | S 15 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | S 16 | — | — | — | S 19 | S 19 | — | S 18 | ESE 10 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 |
| kJ | — | 13 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | — | 6 | 11 | 53 | 57 | 59 | 25 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | — | WSW 2 | SE 4 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | NE 3 | WNW 2 | WNW 2 | NE 3 | — |
| kJ | 45 | 162 | — | 45 | — | 1 | 20 | 1215 | 1702 | 2252 | 2340 | 1662 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 130 | 57 | 936 | 632 | 90 | 10 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
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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