
Surf Forecasts:
Cow Bay surf forecast from 21 Oct 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 24 Oct, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 24 Oct, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, E swell with 699 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 24 Oct, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period with E swell.
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 (Oct 24) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cow Bay in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 24) at 9AM. 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 5s period and expected on Friday (Oct 23) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (ADT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 24th Oct) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 24th Oct) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 24th Oct) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cow Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 59mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Wed afternoon, min 2°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Wed night, strong winds from the N by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 2°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 21 | Thursday 22 | Friday 23 | Saturday 24 | Sunday 25 | Monday 26 | Tuesday 27 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 9 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SE 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
172 | 196 | 264 | 277 | 238 | 333 | 224 | 194 | 517 | 699 | 520 | 300 | 106 | 32 | 14 | 30 | 41 | 77 | 10 | 32 | 180 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:15PM1.37m | 5:51AM1.46m | 6:05PM1.44m | 6:32AM1.57m | 6:51PM1.51m | 7:11AM1.69m | 7:35PM1.58m | 7:50AM1.78m | 8:18PM1.64m | 8:31AM1.85m | 9:02PM1.67m | 9:13AM1.88m | 9:48PM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:20AM0.60m | 11:37PM0.44m | 12:11PM0.48m | 00:22AM0.38m | 12:58PM0.36m | 1:05AM0.32m | 1:41PM0.23m | 1:47AM0.27m | 2:25PM0.12m | 2:31AM0.24m | 3:09PM0.05m | 3:16AM0.23m | 3:56PM0.01m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | 6 | 31 | 5 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Feels °C | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | -2 | -3 | -4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | -2 | -1 | 0 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SSW 12 | E 9 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 |
42 | 19 | 29 | 277 | 238 | 333 | 609 | 194 | 517 | 699 | 520 | 300 | 106 | 32 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 52 | 7 | 32 | 180 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSW 9 | — | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | E 8 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | SE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | ESE 8 |
42 | 17 | — | 54 | 49 | 72 | 224 | 77 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | E 14 | — | — | S 14 | ESE 8 | SW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | 26 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 | 6 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 4 | NW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 6 | NNW 4 | N 3 | WNW 2 |
172 | 196 | 264 | 15 | 19 | 86 | 100 | 115 | 55 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 30 | 41 | 77 | 13 | 6 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 120 | 1369 | 327 | 120 | 621 | 1139 | 621 | 620 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 327 | 1023 | 1003 | 983 | 7 | 647 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nova Scotia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










