Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, S swell with 456 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s 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 (Sep 02) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s 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 1.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into the local outlook for our region. It’s a quiet start, so don’t rush to wax up just yet. There’s a long dry spell to get through before anything worth paddling out for shows up.
We’re looking at a pretty flat and uninspiring run to kick things off. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t come until Wednesday morning, September 2nd, and even then it’s barely a ripple. The combined swell energy is weak at 114, with a tiny 2ft S swell and a 10-second period. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is just about average for this time of year, nothing wild. That morning the wind is a light cross-shore from the NNW, which is okay, but the surf is just poor. Not worth the drive.
Through Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday, the swell stays small and the conditions are ordinary. We get a bit of offshore wind from the WSW on Thursday morning, but that 2ft S swell (energy 84) is barely a bump. Friday morning shapes up a little better with a 2ft S swell (energy 119) and a slight cross-off breeze, but it’s still just “surfable but very ordinary”. Not a standout by any means.
The weekend is a write-off. Saturday and Sunday have some wind and tiny, weak swells. Sunday afternoon sees a jump to 4ft from the S, but with a cross-on ESE wind and a combined energy of 471, the quality is poor. That 12-second period is a bit longer, but it’s not enough to save it with the onshore breeze chopping it up.
Then we hit a real gap. From Monday, September 7th, through to Tuesday the 8th, and all the way into the following week, it’s a mix of weak swells, poor wind, and low energy. There’s a glassy moment on Monday morning with 3ft from the SSE (energy 172), but the break is inconsistent and the waves are still just ordinary. The crowds can show up sometimes here, but there’s nothing to crowd for.
The big event doesn’t arrive until Thursday, September 10th. That morning, we get a massive 12ft S swell (combined energy 2407) with a light cross-shore from the SSE. The wind is favorable, but let’s be real – that size is only for the experts. Over 8ft, it’s a beast. The swell direction is from the S, which matches the optimum ENE direction only partially, but the sheer power is undeniable. The afternoon is similar, 12ft from the SSE, but with an onshore ENE wind, so the morning window is the pick if you’ve got the skills and the nerve. This is the true standout of the whole forecast, but it’s a long way off and less certain.
After that, Friday September 11th drops to 6ft from the S (energy 830), but with a cross-on NE wind, it’s marginal. The following weekend into the second week is a mix of small, messy swells and poor wind. There’s a stretch from the 12th to the 15th where nothing really hits the mark – just weak E and ENE swells with cross-on winds. The energy stays under 400 most of the time.
The last few days, from the 16th onwards, are a total fade-out. Small 2ft to 1ft ENE swells, strong cross-off winds, and even some rain. The combined energy drops as low as 32 by Thursday the 17th. Honestly, it looks more like a kitesurfing setup for the exposed beach breaks than a paddler’s paradise. The poor conditions and onshore winds make it a write-off.
So, to sum it up: if you’re a beginner, stay home until the swell drops back under 5ft, which doesn’t happen cleanly. For the experts, mark your calendar for Thursday, September 10th, early morning at Cowries – that’s your one big shot, but treat it with respect. Everything else is a long, flat wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat night, calm by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 7 | SSE 11 | S 9 | S 10 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 12 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
77 | 73 | 49 | 53 | 52 | 32 | 92 | 26 | 39 | 43 | 30 | 20 | 125 | 456 | 165 | 112 | 140 | 119 | 142 | 120 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:29AM1.41m | 11:52PM1.11m | 12:23PM1.40m | 00:58AM1.01m | 1:27PM1.40m | 2:21AM0.95m | 2:40PM1.41m | 3:47AM0.95m | 3:54PM1.46m | 5:00AM1.00m | 4:59PM1.53m | 5:58AM1.09m | 5:56PM1.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:57PM0.31m | 5:47AM0.33m | 7:06PM0.34m | 6:42AM0.40m | 8:26PM0.34m | 7:51AM0.46m | 9:47PM0.29m | 9:09AM0.47m | 10:57PM0.22m | 10:24AM0.42m | 11:54PM0.14m | 11:28AM0.35m | 00:42AM0.07m | ||||||||
6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 28 | 26 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 24 | 21 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 12 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
77 | 73 | 49 | 53 | 52 | 32 | 92 | 26 | 25 | 43 | 30 | 20 | 125 | 456 | 165 | 112 | 140 | 119 | 142 | 120 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 7 | ENE 10 | SSE 11 | E 9 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | SSE 10 | S 8 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 4 |
18 | 13 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 39 | 7 | 29 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 58 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 7 | ENE 10 | SSE 12 | E 10 | S 16 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 7 | E 10 | — | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 10 |
19 | 19 | 5 | 18 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 8 | — | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | NE 6 | NW 2 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | — | ENE 7 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | — | — | — | NE 4 | S 4 | — | NE 8 | NNW 2 |
1 | 35 | 1 | — | 3 | 7 | — | 20 | 1 | 22 | 15 | 17 | 2 | — | — | — | 10 | 14 | — | 2 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 80 | 0 | 651 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 22 | 228 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











