Cowries Surf Break

Lat Long: 34.58° S 150.88° E

Issued: 3 pm 05 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cowries sea temperature is
18.8° C

1.3°C warmer than normal for this time of year

Cowries surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cowries surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SE swell with 2,544 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 2.4m and 10s 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Wed 8th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s
Best Surf 7PM (Wed 8th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 12s
Most Powerful 1PM (Tue 7th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cowries over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Cowries. The water here is sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year – nothing wild, just a little bonus.

The overall pattern is a bit of a mixed bag. There’s some solid swell on the way, but the winds aren’t always going to play nice.

The first proper swell of note kicks off on the 5th of July, Sunday afternoon. We’re looking at a 10ft swell from the SSE with a 12-second period. That’s a decent groundswell, pushing a lot of energy (2799). But the catch is a strong 16 mph cross-off wind from the South. It’s rideable, but with that wind and the size, it’s really for experienced surfers only, not a beginner’s day. The break is an ENE-facing reef and point, so that SSE direction is a bit off its optimum.

The 7th of July, Tuesday, sees the energy build further. The afternoon brings a 10ft swell from the SE at 11 seconds, with an energy reading of 4557. The wind is still cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph. It’s powerful, but that cross-off wind will keep the face a little bumpy.

We get a bit of a lull from the 9th through the 12th. The swell drops off, and the conditions get pretty ordinary. There are some glassy moments on the morning of the 11th, but with only a 4ft swell, it’s not much to write home about.

For the best on offer, you’ve got to look ahead to the 17th of July. Friday morning shows a 8ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is solid at 1876 and the conditions are forecast to be excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the real standout.

Then on the 20th of July, Monday afternoon, the winds finally turn offshore from the West at 12 mph. You’ve got a 8ft swell from the SSE, energy of 969, and clean conditions. It’s a good call for a late session.

The rest of the second week sees a drop in swell size, with a few bigger pulses that are messy. The 16th of July brings 10ft but with a strong 19 mph cross-off wind, which is more of a kite-surfing sort of day than a paddle session.

So, to wrap it up: keep your eyes on the 17th of July for the morning session, and the 20th of July for the afternoon. Those are your best bets for some quality waves.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
3
1
2
2
1
2
1
0
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SSE
12
3
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SE
11
3
SE
11
2.4
SE
10
2.4
SSE
10
1.9
SE
10
1.9
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.7
SE
9
1.8
SE
9
1.7
SE
10
1.5
SE
10
1.2
SE
9
1.1
SE
9
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2798
1575
1313
1293
1673
1792
2460
1915
1195
1042
738
681
614
471
531
542
399
225
189
213
173
Wind (km/h)
25
S
25
SSE
25
S
25
S
20
SSW
20
SW
20
SSW
20
SSW
20
SW
20
S
15
SW
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
WSW
10
SW
10
SSE
10
WNW
5
NW
10
NE
10
NW
20
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
High Tide
11:40PM1.34m
12:45PM1.16m
00:27AM1.26m
1:35PM1.22m
1:24AM1.17m
2:29PM1.30m
2:31AM1.09m
3:26PM1.39m
3:46AM1.05m
4:24PM1.49m
5:01AM1.03m
5:22PM1.59m
6:10AM1.05m
Low Tide
5:30PM0.49m
6:22AM0.21m
6:27PM0.50m
7:03AM0.23m
7:33PM0.49m
7:49AM0.26m
8:46PM0.45m
8:41AM0.29m
10:01PM0.37m
9:39AM0.31m
11:11PM0.26m
10:39AM0.31m
00:15AM0.15m
11:39AM0.30m
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:58
4:59
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
 mm
2
1
2
1
1
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
13
14
14
14
14
14
11
15
14
12
15
14
12
17
17
13
20
Feels °C
8
8
9
9
9
9
10
10
9
10
8
12
11
10
13
13
10
14
15
11
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
8
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
16
2.5
SSE
10
2.5
SE
10
3
SE
11
2.5
SE
11
2.4
SE
10
2.2
SE
10
1.9
SE
10
1.9
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.7
SE
9
1.8
SE
9
1.7
SE
10
1.5
SE
10
1.2
SE
9
1.1
SE
9
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
11
Energy kJ
1
4
4
5
1360
1299
2097
1625
1195
899
738
681
614
471
531
542
399
225
189
213
173
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
16
0.1
S
20
1
ESE
13
0.9
ESE
14
1.2
ESE
12
1.1
ESE
11
0.9
ESE
10
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
16
0.2
ESE
13
0.3
ESE
12
0.8
SE
9
0.6
SE
8
Energy kJ
5
8
373
265
406
275
140
5
4
8
5
18
28
93
58
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
23
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
20
0.1
S
19
0.1
SE
11
0.3
ESE
14
0.5
E
8
0.1
S
14
Energy kJ
11
6
9
8
7
5
40
31
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SSE
12
3
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
10
2.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
3
SE
11
3
SE
11
2.4
SSE
10
2.1
SE
8
0.3
NNW
3
Energy kJ
2798
1575
1313
1293
1673
1792
2460
1915
1042
585
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
3
2
1
2
2
2
Distance (km)
443
219
144
19
10
10
18
10
10
19
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
0
10
0
22
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra
Rating
(10 max)
3
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
9
7
4
4
8
7
4
7
7
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
2
9
7
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
7
5
6
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
6
6
5
8
7
4
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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