Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with 1,397 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s scope out what’s on the menu for the next couple weeks. It’s a slow start, but there are a couple windows worth getting out of bed for.
The first few days are pretty flat and weak. Thursday morning (3rd September) has a tiny 2 ft southerly swell, and the water temp is a normal 64° for this time of year. You could paddle around, but it’s nothing to write home about.
Friday morning (4th September) is where things perk up a bit. A 3 ft south swell rolls in with glassy conditions – that’s a huge plus. The combined swell energy is moderate (217), and with the wind clean off the land, Cowries will be smooth and tidy. Not big, but for a quiet Friday morning session, it’s a solid, clean option.
The real standout hits on Tuesday morning (8th September). This is the one. We’ve got a 8 ft south swell pumping in – that’s solid expert territory. Combined energy is a strong 1408, and the wind is clean out of the SSW. The reef and point at Cowries will be handling this power beautifully with a period around 9 seconds. This is the pick of the whole fortnight, no doubt. Only for experienced surfers, but if you’ve got the skills, it’ll be firing.
After that, things get tricky. Thursday (10th September) brings a very long period groundswell (16 seconds) from the SSE, with 7 ft of swell and a cross-shore wind. Huge energy (1766), but the quality is questionable. Could offer deep lines on the point, but it’s a tough one to nail.
The second week drops right off. From the 12th through the 18th, it’s small, choppy, and mostly onshore. A long stretch of poor conditions. There’s a tiny blip on Friday afternoon (18th September) with a 2 ft SSE swell and glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 275. It’s small, but if you’re itching for a clean wave, it might give you a fun little session. Don’t bank on it.
So: Thursday and Friday of this week are small but clean, with Friday morning the best of the early bunch. Next Tuesday morning (8th) is the absolute standout – big swell for experts only. After that, it’s a long wait. Keep the wax handy for that Tuesday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Fri morning, fresh winds from the W by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 7 | S 11 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 53 | 52 | 32 | 148 | 54 | 57 | 61 | 45 | 28 | 155 | 260 | 235 | 132 | 154 | 329 | 993 | 308 | 322 | 176 | 330 | 119 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:46AM1.18m | 6:46PM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:24PM0.28m | 1:24AM0.04m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 28 | 28 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 24 | 24 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 19 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 9 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | E 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 53 | 52 | 32 | 148 | 54 | 24 | 61 | 34 | 28 | 155 | 260 | 235 | 132 | 154 | 8 | 731 | 308 | 322 | 176 | 330 | 115 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 11 | E 9 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 | SSE 12 | NNE 6 | S 8 | NE 7 | NE 6 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 16 | S 11 |
| kJ | 11 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 9 | 57 | 7 | 45 | 28 | 16 | 152 | 4 | 66 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 119 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | S 16 | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 7 | E 10 | NNE 8 | E 10 | E 8 | — | NE 9 | NE 9 | S 18 | E 9 | SSE 17 |
| kJ | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 117 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 3 | W 3 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | WNW 3 | SW 3 | — | — | — | NW 2 | WSW 2 | S 8 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | SE 7 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 329 | 993 | — | — | — | — | 49 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 95 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 57 |
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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