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Surf Forecasts:

Cowries surfForecast / NSW – Illawarra / Australia
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Cowries surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cowries sea temperature is
21.0° C
(Which is 1.9°C warmer than normal for this time of year)Cowries surf forecast from 29 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 6 Jun, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 6 Jun, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with 1,880 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with E 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 Saturday (May 30) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cowries in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jun 06) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jun 05) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 30th May) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 6th Jun) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 6th Jun) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun night, calm by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | Wednesday 3 | Thursday 4 | Friday 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||
E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | |
340 | 284 | 192 | 159 | 118 | 87 | 85 | 85 | 80 | 57 | 56 | 40 | 51 | 47 | 50 | 64 | 61 | 57 | 53 | 34 | 34 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | |
High Tide | 7:33PM1.50m | 8:15AM1.02m | 8:09PM1.51m | 8:56AM1.01m | 8:47PM1.51m | 9:36AM0.99m | 9:26PM1.49m | 10:18AM0.97m | 10:05PM1.46m | 11:01AM0.96m | 10:45PM1.42m | 11:48AM0.97m | 11:27PM1.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:01PM0.39m | 2:21AM0.21m | 1:38PM0.40m | 3:00AM0.20m | 2:15PM0.42m | 3:40AM0.21m | 2:53PM0.44m | 4:21AM0.22m | 3:32PM0.46m | 5:02AM0.24m | 4:13PM0.49m | 5:44AM0.26m | 4:59PM0.53m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 4:53 | — | — | 4:53 | — | — | 4:53 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:52 | — | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
294 | 190 | 192 | 159 | 118 | 87 | 85 | 85 | 80 | 57 | 56 | 40 | 51 | 47 | 50 | 64 | 61 | 57 | 53 | 34 | 34 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | E 12 |
340 | 284 | 86 | 46 | 45 | 34 | 19 | 32 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | — | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 10 | S 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | — |
4 | 4 | — | 1 | 8 | 16 | 7 | 33 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 24 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 7 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | W 4 | — | NNW 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WSW 4 | W 4 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | SW 5 |
2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 2 | — | 2 | 9 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 45 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 18 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 117 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 36 | 80 |
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.











