Cow Bay surf break

Cow Bay surfForecast / Nova Scotia / Canada

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 2 pm Friday 08 May 2026 ADT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cow Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cow Bay sea temperature is
3.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cow Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Cow Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cow Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 15) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Monday (May 11) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (ADT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 8th May)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 15th May)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 15th May)8ft (2.4m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri afternoon, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 3°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Mon night, fresh winds from the N by Tue afternoon).

Fri
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.2
SE
9
1.2
ESE
9
1
ESE
9
0.9
ESE
9
0.8
ESE
9
1.5
S
8
2.3
SSE
7
2.4
SSE
7
2.3
SSE
8
2.1
S
8
1.6
S
8
1.5
SSE
7
1.2
SE
7
0.9
SE
7
0.8
SE
7
1
SE
9
0.8
S
8
0.7
ESE
8
0.7
ESE
8
0.8
SE
7
1.6
SE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
235
211
161
138
99
279
435
621
588
572
318
243
139
77
64
152
86
60
56
62
188
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
15
W
10
SW
20
SSW
10
S
25
SSE
30
SSE
30
SSE
20
S
10
SW
10
NNW
15
NNE
25
NNE
25
NNW
10
W
15
SW
10
SW
10
SSW
20
S
20
SE
20
SE
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
1:39AM1.37m
2:42PM1.30m
2:42AM1.34m
3:41PM1.35m
3:48AM1.34m
4:35PM1.44m
4:50AM1.38m
5:24PM1.55m
5:46AM1.45m
6:10PM1.67m
6:39AM1.53m
6:56PM1.78m
7:29AM1.60m
Low Tide
7:47PM0.67m
8:23AM0.45m
8:45PM0.66m
9:14AM0.45m
9:46PM0.60m
10:06AM0.43m
10:48PM0.51m
10:59AM0.39m
11:46PM0.39m
11:52AM0.34m
00:40AM0.25m
12:45PM0.29m
1:33AM0.13m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
mod rain
light rain
cloud
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:52
5:52
5:50
5:48
5:48
5:47
5:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:25
8:27
8:28
8:29
8:30
8:31
8:32
8:34
1
7
4
11
1
7
Temp °C
12
9
11
12
11
12
11
10
10
12
11
8
7
5
11
13
13
12
12
10
10
7
5
6
7
6
7
5
3
6
11
10
5
2
-2
7
8
9
7
7
6
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SE
9
1.3
SSW
7
1
ESE
9
0.9
ESE
9
0.8
ESE
9
0.1
SE
16
0.1
SE
16
0.2
ESE
12
0.3
SE
11
1.9
S
8
1.6
S
8
1.5
SSE
7
1.2
SE
7
0.9
SE
7
0.8
SE
7
1
SE
9
0.8
S
8
0.7
ESE
8
0.7
ESE
8
0.5
S
7
0.6
S
7
Energy kJ
235
169
161
138
99
10
10
14
19
466
318
243
139
77
64
152
86
58
56
28
37
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
ESE
9
1.1
SSW
8
0.1
S
13
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
16
0.1
SE
15
1.3
ESE
7
1
ESE
7
0.9
ESE
7
0.4
SSW
7
0.4
SE
9
0.5
E
7
0.5
E
7
0.7
SW
5
0.7
S
8
0.4
S
8
0.5
E
8
Energy kJ
211
157
4
7
10
8
178
102
86
19
26
24
27
23
60
22
35
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SSW
11
0.1
S
18
0.3
SE
11
0.1
SE
14
0.9
SSW
8
0.1
E
12
0.3
SSW
7
0.3
SW
6
0.2
E
13
0.6
SE
8
0.1
E
12
0.4
SSW
9
Energy kJ
39
6
18
8
81
3
9
6
13
55
3
31
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
8
1.1
SSW
8
1.2
SSW
8
1.5
S
8
2.3
SSE
7
2.4
SSE
7
2.3
SSE
8
2.1
S
8
1.2
SSW
8
0.3
N
2
0.2
WNW
2
0.5
SW
3
0.4
SW
4
0.3
S
3
0.8
SE
7
1.6
SE
6
Energy kJ
96
146
161
279
435
621
588
572
159
1
1
4
4
1
62
188
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
299
23
241
327
327
607
592
592
134
134
0
0
7
0
0
2972
327
1178
980
625
592
Best forecast wave conditions in Nova Scotia
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Canada
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
5
4
9
6
4
4
9
5
9
9
5
8
7
6
5
5
5
5
  • 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 Cow Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cow Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cow Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cow Bay 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 (Cow Bay) 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 Cow Bay 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Nova Scotia? If you are looking for accommodation near Cow Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nova Scotia, consider staying in Cole Harbour which is 8 km (5 miles) away. Other places in and around Nova Scotia where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Dartmouth which is 12 km (7 miles) away, Halifax, Kings County and East Hants.

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