Surf Forecasts:
Cowries surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, S swell with 1,223 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period with SSE 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. 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 2.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, looking at what’s on offer for Cowries over the next couple of weeks. The water’s sitting at a touch warmer than normal, about 66°, so that’s a nice little bonus for the skin.
The first decent window shows up on Thursday, 30 July. The morning is the real standout. We’ve got a clean 7ft swell rolling in from the south with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is solid moderate at 985. The wind is glassy out of the southwest, so conditions will be clean and lined up. This is a reef and point setup, and that swell size is right in the sweet spot for intermediates—big enough to get some drive, but not too heavy for a confident surfer. The swell direction is a touch south of the optimum, but it’s still working well. Crowds are possible here, so keep an eye out.
Friday, 31 July, keeps the energy going. The morning offers 5ft south swell, clean with a light cross-off breeze, and the combined energy is moderate at 514. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 7ft, but the cross-shore wind starts to put a ripple on the face, so the morning is the better call.
The following Thursday, 6 August, has some potential. The morning shows 6ft from the SSE with a 8-second period, clean cross-off wind, and moderate energy at 792. The afternoon is a touch smaller at 5ft but with a longer 10-second period and cleaner conditions. Neither is a standout, but there’s a chance for a fun session if you’re keen.
Then on Saturday, 8 August, we get a serious pulse. The morning is glassy with a 12ft south-east swell, 11-second period, and combined energy of 5077—that’s strong to very strong energy. But this is too big for the break, and the file says it’s predicted to be too big for this spot. If you’re an expert and know the reef well, maybe look at it, but for most, this is a pass.
There’s a gap in good surf through the start of the second week, with only marginal or poor conditions until the 7th and 8th. The long-range stuff on 8 August is promising but less certain this far out.
So, the best of the lot is Thursday morning, 30 July, at Cowries. Clean, glassy, 7ft south swell, and solid energy. Get amongst it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 13 | S 16 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 158 | 118 | 43 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 325 | 699 | 440 | 734 | 509 | 710 | 397 | 283 | 237 | 197 | 225 | 154 | 143 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 10:02AM1.16m | 9:55PM1.47m | 10:39AM1.20m | 10:33PM1.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:39PM0.35m | 4:30AM0.15m | 4:23PM0.37m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | NNE 4 | SE 13 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 158 | 118 | 43 | 18 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 325 | 235 | 241 | 734 | 509 | 539 | 397 | 283 | 237 | 197 | 225 | 154 | 143 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | SE 14 | NE 4 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 14 | S 7 | S 16 | ENE 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | E 18 | E 17 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 49 | 220 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 18 | NE 8 | SSE 8 | NE 4 | SE 15 | SE 6 | SE 13 | E 8 | E 13 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 18 | NE 7 | S 11 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 12 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 2 | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | S 10 | — | WSW 3 | — | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 5 | 699 | 440 | — | — | 710 | — | 4 | — | 10 | 8 | 14 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 49 | 2 | 80 | 98 | 213 | 375 | 365 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 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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