Cow Bay surf break

Cow Bay surfForecast / Nova Scotia / Canada

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 7 pm Thursday 08 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
2.6° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cow Bay in the next 12 days are 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 11s period and expected on Monday (Jan 12) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (AST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Thu 8th Jan)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Thu 8th Jan)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 16th Jan)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mild with light rain (total 3mm) on Fri night Becoming colder with a light covering of snow, mostly falling on Sat night. Icy conditions (max 7°C on Sat morning, min -1°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Icy conditions (max 7°C on Wed afternoon, min -2°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon morning, light winds from the SW by Tue night).

Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thu
15
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
SE
0.6
SE
0.4
SSE
1.4
SSW
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.1
SE
1
ESE
0.9
ENE
0.6
E
0.5
S
3
SSW
3
SW
0.5
S
0.4
SSE
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.1
E
0.9
SSE
Period(s) (?)888591094551211119913141515148
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)84532387223323017760040263444498
Wind
(km/h)
15
NW
5
W
15
SW
35
S
30
W
15
WNW
5
ENE
30
E
30
E
35
SW
45
WSW
35
W
20
W
20
WSW
25
SW
10
SW
25
SSW
30
SSW
20
SW
10
SW
20
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:07AM
1.55
12:18PM
1.42
12:55AM
1.49
1:14PM
1.32
1:46AM
1.45
2:14PM
1.25
2:39AM
1.42
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:46AM
0.40
6:58PM
0.35
7:38AM
0.45
7:44PM
0.45
8:33AM
0.48
8:33PM
0.54
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
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thu
15
Sunrise-7:48--7:48--7:48--7:48--7:48--7:47--7:47-
Sunset--4:52--4:52--4:53--4:54--4:55--4:57--4:59
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
light snow
light snow
light snow
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
---3-----9----------2
Temp. °C1-11676112612-113257645
Feels °C (?)-5-5-3-30-1-4-7-51-11-8-9-6-4-4-10-113
  • 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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