Cowries Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.58° S 150.88° E

Cowries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cowries sea temperature is
17.7°C
0.4° 

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


Cowries surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,509 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with SSE 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 09) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be 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 09) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 9th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf 7PM (Wed 9th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful10PM (Wed 9th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temp is sitting about average for this time of year – nothing wild there.

We’re looking at a pretty quiet start. The first real chance to get wet comes on Wednesday the 9th. Cowries will have a 2.6 ft swell from the S, with a short 8-second period, and a cross-off SSW wind at 16 mph. The combined energy is only moderate (133), and the surf quality is poor, so it’s not exactly a day to get excited about. It stays clean, but the waves are weak and messy.

Thursday the 10th sees a bump in size – 8.2 ft from the S on the morning, period still short at 9 seconds. The wind is cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph, keeping it clean, but the energy reading jumps up to strong (2172). The problem is the swell is over 8 ft, so this is really only for the experienced crew. The conditions are still marginal, so don’t expect perfection.

Friday the 11th morning is a standout. The swell drops to a more manageable 5.2 ft from the SSE, with a 9-second period, and the wind is a light 6 mph cross-off from the S. The combined energy is moderate (457), and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the best window in the whole run – clean, a decent size, and not too crowded if you time it right. The long period (11 seconds) on Saturday the 12th would be a plus, but the wind turns onshore, so it’s a no-go.

After Friday, the surf drops off fast. From Saturday the 12th all the way through to Sunday the 20th, the waves are tiny – mostly under 3 ft – and the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, making for choppy, poor conditions. There’s a gap of over a week with nothing worth paddling out for. The only blip is a glassy morning on Sunday the 20th with 2 ft from the S, but it’s very ordinary.

Then, on Monday the 21st, we get a late pulse: 7.5 ft from the SSE, with a 10-second period and a light cross-onshore NNE breeze. The energy is strong (1006), but the conditions are marginal and the wind is not ideal. It’s a big, raw swell for the experienced only.

The best surf on offer is Friday the 11th morning at Cowries. It’s the only day that really ticks the boxes for decent size, clean conditions, and good vibes. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big for the average punter.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
2
3
2
4
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.2
S
8
0.8
S
8
2.5
SSE
8
3
S
10
2.5
S
9
2.2
SSE
9
2.2
S
10
1.6
SSE
9
1.5
SSE
9
1.3
SSE
10
1
SSE
11
0.9
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
9
0.7
S
9
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
12
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.5
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
205
84
849
1916
1184
724
938
451
360
283
259
170
92
85
110
132
114
110
50
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
25
SSW
35
S
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
S
10
WSW
10
S
10
ESE
10
W
10
NNE
25
NE
10
NNW
15
NNE
25
NNE
10
NNW
5
NNW
15
NNE
20
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
6:46AM1.18m
6:46PM1.62m
7:29AM1.27m
7:33PM1.61m
8:09AM1.34m
8:16PM1.55m
8:47AM1.40m
8:58PM1.46m
9:24AM1.43m
9:39PM1.34m
10:00AM1.43m
10:19PM1.21m
Low Tide
00:42AM0.07m
12:24PM0.28m
1:24AM0.04m
1:15PM0.22m
2:02AM0.04m
2:03PM0.18m
2:38AM0.07m
2:49PM0.17m
3:11AM0.13m
3:34PM0.19m
3:43AM0.21m
4:19PM0.24m
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:03
6:03
6:01
6:00
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:43
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
 mm
Temp °C
12
15
14
13
15
15
12
16
16
13
18
18
14
21
20
17
25
25
20
Feels °C
9
10
6
5
10
11
9
14
15
12
14
14
12
15
15
14
21
22
18
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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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