Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, ENE swell with 586 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Cowries. This reef-and-point is a beginner-friendly wave, but it’s gonna be a slow start. We’ve got a few days of nothing worth paddling out for – Monday July 20 through Wednesday July 22 are all marginal or poor, with onshore crud and choppy conditions. The water is sitting at 65.7°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a nice little bonus.
The first real chance to get wet comes Thursday July 24 morning. A clean 5.2ft swell from the south, period around 9 seconds, with a light offshore WSW breeze at 3 mph. The combined energy is moderate (420) – not massive, but clean and rideable. Now, that 5.2ft is a little above the beginner comfort zone, but if you’re moving up, it’s worth a go. The afternoon turns cross-shore, so the morning is your window.
Friday July 25 is even better. Morning sees 3.6ft south swell at 11 seconds, with a gentle offshore W wind at 9 mph – clean, nice lines. The afternoon is also good: 3.6ft, same period, with a light cross-offshore WNW breeze, giving you glassy shoulders. Combined energy bumps up to 425 in the afternoon – solid moderate energy. This is a standout day for sure.
Saturday July 26 morning keeps it going: 3.9ft south swell, 10 seconds, offshore WSW 9 mph, clean. Another good session. But the real gem is Sunday July 27 morning. Glassy conditions – wind calm, 3.9ft south swell at 10 seconds, combined energy 272. That’s the kind of morning you set your alarm for. The swell’s not huge, but with that glassy surface and a 10-second period, the waves will have shape and push.
After that, the week ahead goes quiet again. Monday July 28 has some offshore but the swell drops to 3.6ft, and then Tuesday through Thursday July 29-31 get small and messy with onshore winds. The combined energy falls under 100 by Friday August 1 – barely a ripple.
Now, the second week brings a big change. Sunday August 2 afternoon sees a sudden jump to 9.8ft south swell, but with a strong cross-onshore NE wind at 16 mph, making it choppy and poor. The combined energy shoots to 2755 – that’s a lot of power, but the wind kills it. Then Monday August 3 morning: 11.5ft south swell, 12 seconds, combined energy a massive 6071. That’s huge, but the forecast says it’s too big for this break – expert-only territory, and even then the wind is cross-shore. Tuesday August 4 drops to 5.6ft with a
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 561 | 572 | 419 | 331 | 286 | 235 | 179 | 175 | 129 | 73 | 71 | 273 | 386 | 320 | 554 | 289 | 311 | 456 | 296 | 235 | 256 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:02PM1.25m | 00:59AM1.14m | 1:53PM1.26m | 1:56AM1.01m | 2:47PM1.27m | 3:03AM0.92m | 3:41PM1.29m | 4:14AM0.88m | 4:34PM1.32m | 5:19AM0.88m | 5:25PM1.36m | 6:13AM0.91m | 6:10PM1.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:07PM0.46m | 7:16AM0.32m | 8:16PM0.49m | 7:58AM0.40m | 9:29PM0.49m | 8:46AM0.46m | 10:38PM0.46m | 9:40AM0.49m | 11:37PM0.41m | 10:35AM0.50m | 00:26AM0.36m | 11:28AM0.48m | 1:07AM0.30m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 561 | 572 | 419 | 331 | 286 | 235 | 179 | 175 | 129 | 73 | 71 | 273 | 386 | 320 | 554 | 289 | 311 | 456 | 296 | 235 | 256 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 139 | 93 | 57 | 35 | 31 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 28 | 45 | 29 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 107 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SE 14 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 12 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 16 | SSE 21 | — | SSE 19 | ENE 8 | — | N 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 23 | 21 | 8 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 84 | — | 36 | 7 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | W 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | — | — | W 3 | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 18 | — | — | 1 | 13 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 39 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 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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