Cow Bay surf break

Cow Bay surfForecast / Nova Scotia / Canada

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 1 am Monday 12 Jan 2026 AST
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
3.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cow Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Cow Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cow Bay in the next 12 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 10s period and expected on Monday (Jan 19) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (AST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Thu 15th Jan)4.5ft (1.4m) 8s
Best Surf 5AM (Sat 17th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 17th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cow Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Icy conditions (max 6°C on Wed morning, min -2°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Mon morning, light winds from the SSE by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu morning giving way to a moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Fri afternoon. Icy conditions (max 8°C on Thu morning, min -7°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
3
0
0
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
SW
3
SSW
2.1
SW
1
SW
1
SW
0.1
E
0.1
SE
1.9
SSW
0.1
E
0.9
SSE
1.3
SE
2.1
S
1.1
SE
0.9
SE
3
S
3
S
0.9
SE
1.5
S
1.5
S
1.7
SSE
1.2
SE
Period(s) (?)1011105613107156791091112109688
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)000567144046119471624011520692568148397194402187
Wind
(km/h)
40
W
35
W
25
W
20
WSW
15
SW
20
SSW
30
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SSE
15
WSW
5
ENE
35
NNE
25
N
15
NNW
15
WSW
20
SSW
25
S
40
SSE
30
SSW
35
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncrossglasscross-
off
cross-
off
offcrosscross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:17PM
1.22
3:34AM
1.42
4:18PM
1.23
4:27AM
1.44
5:12PM
1.27
5:17AM
1.48
6:01PM
1.32
6:04AM
1.54
6:46PM
1.38
6:48AM
1.60
7:28PM
1.43
7:29AM
1.64
8:08PM
1.49
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:31AM
0.50
9:28PM
0.60
10:31AM
0.49
10:27PM
0.63
11:28AM
0.46
11:26PM
0.63
12:20PM
0.41
12:18AM
0.60
1:05PM
0.35
1:04AM
0.55
1:45PM
0.29
1:46AM
0.51
2:23PM
0.24
2:26AM
0.46
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Sunrise7:48--7:48--7:47--7:47--7:46--7:46--7:45--
Sunset-4:54--4:55--4:57--4:59--5:00--5:00--5:01-
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
cloud
cloud
light snow
mod snow
snow showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
snow showers
Rain (mm)
--------314--------1101
Temp. °C0002346668751-3-5-5-25774
Feels °C (?)-11-10-6-4-3-2-101433-6-11-11-11-8-2-20-2
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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