
Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, WNW swell with 421 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cox Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cox Bay in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a lot of days with onshore wind and poor conditions, so don’t get your hopes up for the first week. The water at Cox Bay is about 59°, which is pretty average for this time of year.
The first real chance of something decent isn’t until Thursday morning, August 6th. We’ve got a 3.9ft swell from the WNW with a short, weak 7-second period, but the wind is light and cross-offshore, keeping things clean. The combined energy is moderate (248). It’s not big, but it’ll be the best paddle of the early part of the week.
Honestly, after that Thursday morning window, it’s a bit of a write-off for a few days. Friday through to the following week is plagued by onshore winds, bumpy conditions, and tiny or weak swells. There’s a long period, 18-second groundswell showing on Sunday morning, August 9th, but it’s a tiny 1.6ft and the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s not really worth chasing.
The story picks up again on Wednesday, August 12th, with a 5.9ft WNW swell, but it’s a short period windswell (6 seconds) and the wind is onshore, making it a messy, choppy affair. The energy is moderate (501), but the quality isn’t there.
The best of the whole run looks like it’s going to be the very end of the forecast. Wednesday morning, August 19th, is shaping up to be a standout. We’re looking at a 3.6ft groundswell from the W with a solid 12-second period. The energy is moderate to strong (518), and the wind is forecast to be glassy, with slight air. That’s going to be clean, lined-up surf at Cox Bay. The afternoon looks good too, with glassy conditions and a 3.6ft W swell. This is a long way out, so don’t book the time off yet, but it’s definitely the one to keep an eye on.
For the beginners, the biggest swell is 7.9ft on Thursday afternoon, August 13th, but with onshore wind and a short period, it’s going to be a tough, blown-out mess. Stick to the smaller, cleaner windows.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
232 | 414 | 218 | 311 | 314 | 164 | 181 | 335 | 67 | 94 | 141 | 93 | 86 | 185 | 150 | 145 | 166 | 144 | 89 | 84 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:15PM3.24m | 5:54AM2.58m | 5:59PM3.26m | 7:08AM2.45m | 6:53PM3.26m | 8:38AM2.41m | 7:59PM3.28m | 10:07AM2.50m | 9:11PM3.34m | 11:18AM2.66m | 10:19PM3.44m | 12:11PM2.85m | 11:23PM3.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:56PM0.92m | 11:25AM1.30m | 00:59AM0.87m | 12:16PM1.55m | 2:10AM0.80m | 1:27PM1.76m | 3:24AM0.67m | 2:55PM1.83m | 4:34AM0.47m | 4:17PM1.75m | 5:34AM0.27m | 5:23PM1.57m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
8:58 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | SSW 13 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SSW 12 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | WNW 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
167 | 414 | 218 | 218 | 314 | 164 | 132 | 192 | 64 | 65 | 115 | 58 | 59 | 117 | 37 | 145 | 166 | 23 | 89 | 84 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | W 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | W 13 | W 8 |
42 | 57 | 55 | 34 | 69 | 70 | 67 | 87 | 67 | 24 | 83 | 42 | 74 | 64 | 150 | 35 | 36 | 144 | 30 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | W 13 | W 12 | W 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
40 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 37 | 36 | 82 | 50 | 81 | 42 | 67 | 36 | 28 | 25 | 18 | 19 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | W 4 | WNW 5 |
232 | — | — | 311 | — | — | 181 | 335 | — | 94 | 141 | 93 | 86 | 185 | — | 17 | 62 | 38 | 36 | 37 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 763 | 0 | 119 | 145 | 0 | 0 | 226 | 9 | 2 | 825 | 17 | 825 | 1387 | 0 | 93 | 1021 | 343 | 343 | 1387 | 93 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Vancouver Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cox Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cox Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cox Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cox 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 (Cox 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 Cox 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.
Cox Bay is 77 km (48 miles) from Gold River. If you plan a holiday in Vancouver Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Gold River. Gold River has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











