Cow Bay surf break

Cow Bay surfForecast / Nova Scotia / Canada

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 8 pm Friday 01 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
3.8° 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 Saturday (May 02) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 9s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (May 06) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (ADT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sat 2nd May)5.5ft (1.7m) 9s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 2nd May)5.5ft (1.7m) 9s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 8th May)10ft (3.0m) 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

A moderate fall of snow heaviest on Sun afternoon. Turning milder with heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 1°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 5°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Fri
8
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
ESE
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
8
1.3
ESE
8
0.8
SE
8
2.1
E
6
1.9
ESE
9
0.6
E
8
0.4
SE
9
0.4
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
8
1.8
S
6
2.3
SSE
7
3
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
474
528
392
217
78
301
586
52
28
26
26
14
13
14
14
15
14
13
237
486
1079
Wind (km/h)
15
W
15
WNW
10
SW
10
SW
15
ESE
30
ENE
35
WNW
30
W
30
WSW
20
WSW
20
SW
35
SSW
30
SW
25
SW
35
SSW
25
SSW
25
SSW
20
SSW
30
S
40
S
35
SSW
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:14AM1.52m
9:19PM1.68m
9:53AM1.51m
9:56PM1.65m
10:32AM1.47m
10:35PM1.61m
11:14AM1.42m
11:14PM1.55m
11:58AM1.37m
11:57PM1.48m
12:47PM1.32m
00:44AM1.42m
1:42PM1.29m
Low Tide
3:38AM0.19m
3:42PM0.40m
4:14AM0.21m
4:18PM0.44m
4:51AM0.24m
4:55PM0.50m
5:29AM0.29m
5:32PM0.55m
6:08AM0.35m
6:11PM0.60m
6:50AM0.40m
6:56PM0.65m
7:35AM0.43m
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
heavy snow
heavy rain
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
heavy rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:16
8:19
8:20
8:21
8:22
8:22
8:24
8:25
1
9
12
1
1
13
Temp °C
9
11
13
9
7
5
5
10
11
7
10
11
8
11
12
10
10
11
12
12
9
5
6
9
5
2
-2
-2
4
4
0
4
4
1
5
6
5
5
7
5
4
1
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
ESE
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
8
1.3
ESE
8
0.8
SE
8
0.1
SW
5
1.9
ESE
9
0.6
E
8
0.4
SE
9
0.4
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.3
E
8
0.8
SW
8
Energy kJ
474
528
392
217
77
1
586
50
28
26
26
14
13
14
14
15
14
13
11
67
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSE
9
0.4
SW
5
0.1
SE
13
0.2
E
10
0.7
E
9
0.1
SE
14
1.6
SSE
9
0.6
E
8
0.4
E
9
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
18
0.1
SE
11
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
14
0.2
SSE
11
0.1
SE
12
0.1
S
15
Energy kJ
372
8
7
8
78
8
415
52
23
6
6
5
5
5
5
4
11
6
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SW
4
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
SE
14
0.1
SE
15
Energy kJ
7
1
3
3
6
3
6
5
5
8
8
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
W
3
0.3
WNW
2
0.3
SW
2
0.4
SW
4
0.5
SE
3
2.1
E
6
1.4
WNW
5
2.1
SSW
10
2
SSW
9
1.8
SSW
7
1.5
SSW
7
1.6
SSW
7
2.2
SSW
7
2.4
SSW
8
2.5
SSW
8
2.2
SSW
8
1.7
SSW
7
1.6
SSW
6
1.8
S
6
2.3
SSE
7
3
SSE
8
Energy kJ
1
1
1
5
5
301
80
848
660
333
242
273
516
733
803
566
277
207
237
486
1079
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
4
1
2
Distance (km)
0
0
299
299
592
120
592
607
615
2441
2506
1311
2235
2235
2441
769
2235
1369
615
1019
608
Best forecast wave conditions in Nova Scotia
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Canada
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
2
1
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
6
5
5
4
9
8
6
6
  • 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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