Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, S swell with 177 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 1.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for our local patch.
First off, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a bit is a real struggle. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with nothing worth paddling out for. From Tuesday the 4th of August right through to the morning of Friday the 14th, it’s flat or just tiny, weak slop. The combined swell energy barely cracks triple digits on a couple of days, mostly sitting in the 17 to 149 range – that’s weak energy, no two ways about it. You’ll be bobbing around on ankle-biters if you bother, but honestly, it’s not worth wetting the wetsuit.
Then things finally wake up. The standout window is the morning of Monday the 17th of August. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Cowries is the spot. We’re looking at a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the SE, with a period of 10 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The wind is light from the NNW, a slight air, keeping it clean. The combined energy hits 1359 (moderate to strong), and the notes say excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That 8ft is getting up there; it’s not for the groms, but for anyone with a bit of time in the water, this is the best on offer. The swell direction out of the southeast is a good match for the break’s optimum from the ENE.
The morning of Saturday the 15th of August is a monster – 15ft from the SSE – but that’s too much for this break. The forecast says it’s too big, and the combined energy is a whopping 4432, so unless you’re a charger with a death wish, give it a miss. Same goes for Sunday the 16th, with 13ft from the SE.
So, there you go. A long wait for a short, punchy window. The 17th morning is the one. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but as it stands, that’s your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ESE 8 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 11 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 7 | S 6 | S 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 69 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 18 | 15 | 23 | 41 | 57 | 76 | 86 | 65 | 177 | 68 | 28 | 33 | 21 | 73 | 62 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 11:14PM1.30m | 12:04PM1.29m | 00:03AM1.20m | 12:54PM1.32m | 1:03AM1.09m | 1:52PM1.36m | 2:17AM1.00m | 2:58PM1.41m | 3:40AM0.97m | 4:05PM1.48m | 4:59AM0.98m | 5:09PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:39AM0.21m | 6:08PM0.41m | 6:20AM0.26m | 7:14PM0.42m | 7:09AM0.32m | 8:31PM0.40m | 8:08AM0.37m | 9:51PM0.34m | 9:16AM0.40m | 11:05PM0.25m | 10:26AM0.38m | 00:08AM0.14m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 17 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 19 | 18 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SSE 10 | S 5 | S 5 | E 10 | E 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 7 | S 6 | S 8 | NE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 69 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 15 | 22 | 41 | 57 | 76 | 86 | 65 | 177 | 68 | 28 | 33 | 18 | 73 | 62 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | ESE 7 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | E 7 | S 11 | SSE 11 | E 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | NE 4 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 6 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 23 | 6 | 34 | 39 | 6 | 5 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 9 | 21 | 11 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | ENE 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 12 | S 4 | E 8 | SSE 12 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 10 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 24 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | E 4 | WSW 3 | W 3 | — | W 3 | — | SE 3 | — | — | ENE 7 | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | W 4 |
| kJ | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | — | 3 | — | — | 18 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 95 | 273 | 365 | 36 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 272 | 3 | 22 | 11 | 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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