Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, ENE swell with 619 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s 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 (Jul 15) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. 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 1.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down for the imperial crew.
The water’s running about 65°, which is a degree warmer than the usual for this time of year – a nice little touch for the early paddles.
The early part of the outlook is nothing to write home about. We’ve got a 10ft southerly swell with a 10-second period, cross-off wind, and the energy is pumping at 2336 – that’s a lot of power. But the report says it’s marginal, likely due to tide. From Wednesday afternoon through to Saturday morning, it’s mostly small, poor, or ordinary. A real lull in quality.
Sunday morning the 19th of July is the first real bright spot. You’re looking at a 5.6ft groundswell from the ENE, 10-second period, with a light south wind at 3 mph. Near glassy conditions, and the energy is 640 – moderate. That’s a clean, fun window.
But the standout is Sunday the 26th of July, about a week and a half out. That morning shows an 8ft southerly swell, 10-second period, with light offshore winds from the SSW at 6 mph. The energy is 1999 – strong. That’s a heavy one, and with clean conditions, it’s for the experienced crew only. Then Monday the 27th of July morning delivers a 5.2ft southerly groundswell, 12-second period, with glassy conditions. The energy is 796 – moderate to strong. That’s the pick of the run.
Cowries can get crowded, so getting there early on those standout days will be the key.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | E 5 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 7 | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1454 | 405 | 258 | 273 | 319 | 176 | 12 | 29 | 73 | 54 | 73 | 240 | 573 | 619 | 573 | 432 | 442 | 370 | 314 | 314 | 279 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 8:55PM1.79m | 9:48AM1.18m | 9:44PM1.73m | 10:37AM1.20m | 10:32PM1.62m | 11:25AM1.22m | 11:20PM1.47m | 12:13PM1.24m | 00:08AM1.30m | 1:02PM1.25m | 00:59AM1.14m | 1:53PM1.26m | 1:56AM1.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:26PM0.24m | 3:45AM-0.06m | 3:18PM0.25m | 4:31AM-0.02m | 4:11PM0.29m | 5:14AM0.05m | 5:06PM0.34m | 5:55AM0.13m | 6:04PM0.40m | 6:35AM0.23m | 7:07PM0.46m | 7:16AM0.32m | 8:16PM0.49m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 15 | S 15 | S 18 | SSE 18 | SSE 19 | E 5 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 882 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 32 | 34 | 12 | 13 | 51 | 54 | 73 | 240 | 573 | 619 | 573 | 432 | 442 | 370 | 314 | 314 | 279 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 18 | E 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 17 | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | 13 | 60 | 4 | 29 | 73 | 46 | 41 | 21 | 57 | 129 | 80 | 104 | 99 | 57 | 33 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 11 | E 11 | — | S 15 | ENE 8 | S 21 | S 20 | S 21 | SSE 18 | S 8 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 34 | 66 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 5 | — | S 3 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NNE 5 | — |
| kJ | 1454 | 405 | 258 | 273 | 319 | 176 | 78 | 37 | — | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 19 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 57 | 0 | 57 | 90 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 67 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 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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