Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with 1,034 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period with ESE 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s switch to feet and degrees. Cowries is the only show in town, so let’s break it down.
The first few days are a total dud. From Saturday the 11th through to Tuesday the 14th, it’s flat – waves under 2ft, barely any energy (19 to 5). Not worth the walk.
Wednesday the 15th morning – first real sign of life. 6ft Southerly swell, 10-second period, clean cross-offshore wind. The energy hits 1027 (moderate). Water temp is about 65°, a degree warmer than normal for this time of year. Crowds are possible. Good session.
Thursday the 16th morning – 6ft Southerly swell, still clean, energy at 754 (moderate). Another solid day.
After a small drop, Monday the 20th morning is the standout. 6ft Easterly swell, clean with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, energy 800 (moderate). This is the one to circle.
Tuesday the 21st morning – 7ft Easterly swell, 11-second period, energy 1235 (strong). Expert territory. Clean wind, but it’s big.
Thursday the 23rd – 12ft Southerly-Southeast swell – way too big for Cowries. Glassy, but the file says it’s predicted to be too big. Skip it.
Saturday the 25th morning – 7ft Easterly swell, glassy, energy 822 (moderate). A nice finisher.
Best on offer: Monday the 20th morning – clean, consistent, and a great size. Second pick: Thursday the 16th morning – same clean vibe, smaller.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 8 | S 7 | S 12 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 149 | 77 | 54 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 33 | 1034 | 1013 | 494 | 295 | 110 | 117 | 247 | 195 | 247 | 375 | 375 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 6:10AM1.05m | 6:18PM1.69m | 7:11AM1.08m | 7:13PM1.76m | 8:07AM1.12m | 8:05PM1.80m | 8:59AM1.15m | 8:55PM1.79m | 9:48AM1.18m | 9:44PM1.73m | 10:37AM1.20m | 10:32PM1.62m | 11:25AM1.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:15AM0.15m | 11:39AM0.30m | 1:13AM0.05m | 12:37PM0.28m | 2:07AM-0.03m | 1:32PM0.25m | 2:58AM-0.07m | 2:26PM0.24m | 3:45AM-0.06m | 3:18PM0.25m | 4:31AM-0.02m | 4:11PM0.29m | 5:14AM0.05m | 5:06PM0.34m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — |
 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 12 | S 8 | S 7 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 | — | SSE 10 | S 15 | ESE 6 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 149 | 77 | 54 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 33 | 668 | — | 110 | 4 | 68 | 117 | 247 | 195 | 247 | 375 | 375 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 8 | S 12 | S 7 | S 11 | — | S 6 | E 10 | — | — | — | SSE 7 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 45 | 16 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | 29 | 28 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | NNE 5 | S 6 | SE 8 | S 7 | SE 8 | E 8 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | SSE 6 | — | S 9 | S 18 | SSE 19 | S 18 | S 18 |
| kJ | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | 6 | 6 | 35 | 25 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | W 4 | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | NW 2 | NW 3 | WSW 2 | S 5 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 45 | 1034 | 1013 | 494 | 295 | 110 | 56 | 86 | 112 | 233 | 106 | 52 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 80 | 4 | 9 | 169 | 239 | 306 | 251 | 299 | 3 | 57 | 57 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 0 | 10 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
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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