Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, S swell with 1,109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 11s. 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 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Cowries in feet and all that.
The water is about 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nice surprise for the first paddle out.
We kick things off on Thursday, July 30th. Swell’s around 5 feet, south direction, and the wind is light and cross-off. Looks clean. The energy is solid, not crazy, but enough to keep you moving. The real standout of this early stretch is Saturday, August 1st. The morning’s fine, but the afternoon? Dead calm, glassy, with a little light rain. That 4-foot south-southeast swell is going to be buttery smooth. Sometimes there’s a crowd, so pick your spot.
Friday the 31st steps it up. Morning’s about 5 feet, afternoon jumps to 7 feet, and the wind stays cross-off. The afternoon has some serious energy behind it, so you’ll feel the push.
Sunday, August 2nd, brings a longer period groundswell – around 12 seconds – which is great for a reef and point. Waves will have some shape. Morning’s the call; the wind gets cross-on and a bit messy in the afternoon.
Then we hit a dry spell. Monday the 3rd through Wednesday morning the 5th is pretty flat and unexciting. A few days to rest your arms.
But Wednesday the 5th morning comes back clean with 5 feet of south swell and light offshore wind. The real gem of the second week, though, is Sunday, August 9th. Glassy calm, 6 feet of southeast groundswell. That’s the one. Perfect conditions for Cowries.
Monday the 10th gets bigger – 6 to 7 feet – but the wind is cross or cross-on. It’s doable but not ideal. Now, for the big dogs: Tuesday, August 11th. Offshore wind blowing 20 to 30 km/h, and the swell is 7 to 8 feet. That’s serious size. The period is short, so it’ll be peaky and powerful. Energy is through the roof. This is experts only.
Wednesday the 12th stays solid with 7 feet and clean offshore wind – another strong day for the experienced. Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th keep the quality up, with the wind staying offshore or cross-off, and the swell hovering around 5 to 7 feet.
Best bets? The glassy calm on Saturday afternoon, August 1st, and the perfect Sunday morning, August 9th. For the power surfers, lock in Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 13 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 328 | 524 | 666 | 479 | 715 | 484 | 351 | 286 | 625 | 747 | 604 | 308 | 187 | 110 | 37 | 34 | 30 | 145 | 363 | 480 | 341 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | on | off |
High Tide | 8:44PM1.55m | 9:26AM1.12m | 9:19PM1.52m | 10:02AM1.16m | 9:55PM1.47m | 10:39AM1.20m | 10:33PM1.40m | 11:19AM1.25m | 11:14PM1.30m | 12:04PM1.29m | 00:03AM1.20m | 12:54PM1.32m | 1:03AM1.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:18PM0.35m | 3:27AM0.14m | 2:58PM0.35m | 3:58AM0.14m | 3:39PM0.35m | 4:30AM0.15m | 4:23PM0.37m | 5:03AM0.17m | 5:12PM0.39m | 5:39AM0.21m | 6:08PM0.41m | 6:20AM0.26m | 7:14PM0.42m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — |
 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 7 | S 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 328 | 524 | 666 | 479 | 539 | 484 | 351 | 286 | 625 | 747 | 604 | 308 | 187 | 110 | 37 | 25 | 30 | 145 | 363 | 480 | 341 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | SSE 12 | SE 14 | E 18 | E 17 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SE 12 | SE 13 | S 10 | E 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 93 | 248 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 34 | 26 | 75 | 3 | 17 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 12 | — | E 13 | — | E 12 | E 14 | SE 14 | NE 7 | S 21 | E 17 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | ESE 7 | S 11 | ENE 13 | E 9 | E 18 | E 18 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | 128 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 22 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 9 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNW 3 | NE 4 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | SW 3 | W 3 | — | W 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 389 | — | — | 715 | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 73 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 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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