
Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with 1,802 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of days are looking pretty flat or weak, but there’s a proper pulse building for the end of the month and into early August. Let’s break it down.
Sunday the 26th morning at Cowries is the first real chance to get wet. You’ve got a clean 5 ft S swell rolling in at 11 seconds, a good solid groundswell, with glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate (598), so there’s enough push for a fun session on a reef and point setup like this. The water is about average for the time of year, nothing wild. The swell direction is S, which is not the absolute optimum ENE, but with the wind dead calm, it’s going to be clean and inviting. This is the best on offer for the first week. The afternoon turns cross-on with a light ESE breeze, and the swell drops a touch, so morning is the call.
Monday the 27th sees the swell fade fast, down to 3 ft and then 3 ft, with a short period and cross-onshore winds picking up. Forget it. Tuesday the 28th is tiny, with 1 ft and 1.0 ft, clean but no power. Wednesday the 29th is a total write-off with strong offshore winds and barely a ripple.
Now, Thursday the 30th morning is where things get interesting. A jump to 8 ft S swell at 10 seconds, with a gentle offshore wind from the SW. The combined energy is strong (1588), and this is described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s an expert-only window – 8 ft is heavy, especially on a reef and point. The swell direction is a good match for the exposure. The afternoon turns cross-shore and messy, so get it early. This is the standout of the whole forecast.
Friday the 31st morning holds at 8 ft S swell, even bigger, with a cross-off wind. The energy is very strong (2118), but the wind isn’t perfect. Still, for experienced surfers, there’s serious power. It’s marginal for quality, but the size is there. Saturday the 1st of August morning drops to 7 ft, still clean with a cross-off breeze, but the period is shorter, and the energy is still strong (1182). Sunday the 2nd sees a 6 ft SE swell, but the wind is cross-on and then onshore, spoiling it.
There’s a gap from Monday the 3rd through to Friday the 7th, with mostly small, weak, or choppy conditions. The only flicker is Thursday the 6th morning with 6 ft S swell, but it’s a short period (8 seconds) and the wind is cross-off, so it’s marginal.
Then, a real treat on Sunday the 9th of August morning. Glassy conditions, 5 ft S swell at 9 seconds, with combined energy at 680. The wind is dead calm, zero, glassy. That’s a very good surf window. The afternoon goes to crap with onshore wind, but the morning session is a genuine standout second-week option. The swell direction is S, not the optimum, but with that glass, who cares.
Saturday the 10th morning offers 6 ft SSE swell, but it’s short period (8 seconds) and cross-shore, so it’s only average.
Overall, the best bets are Thursday the 30th morning for the experienced crew, and Sunday the 9th morning for a clean, fun session. The Sunday the 26th morning is solid if you’re keen to get out early.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the W by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 13 | S 16 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
543 | 595 | 346 | 212 | 154 | 115 | 42 | 24 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 386 | 1035 | 1329 | 1608 | 1198 | 690 | 777 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 6:13AM0.91m | 6:10PM1.41m | 6:57AM0.95m | 6:52PM1.47m | 7:37AM0.99m | 7:32PM1.51m | 8:14AM1.03m | 8:09PM1.54m | 8:50AM1.07m | 8:44PM1.55m | 9:26AM1.12m | 9:19PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:26AM0.36m | 11:28AM0.48m | 1:07AM0.30m | 12:15PM0.44m | 1:45AM0.24m | 12:58PM0.41m | 2:21AM0.20m | 1:39PM0.37m | 2:55AM0.16m | 2:18PM0.35m | 3:27AM0.14m | 2:58PM0.35m | 3:58AM0.14m | ||||||
— | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | NNE 4 | S 16 | S 9 | S 9 | — | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | SSE 9 |
543 | 595 | 346 | 212 | 154 | 115 | 42 | 24 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 386 | 551 | — | 1130 | 920 | — | 600 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SE 15 | NE 4 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 14 | S 7 | SE 13 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | E 12 |
7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | — | S 14 | SE 18 | NE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 4 | SE 15 | SE 6 | SE 13 | E 6 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | 4 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 |
2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 5 | 20 | 5 | 1035 | 1329 | 1608 | 1198 | 690 | 777 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 2 | 69 | 2 | 36 | 98 | 213 | 365 | 483 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 57 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










