
Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with 493 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8AM. 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+) | 5AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, hard look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest with you, it’s a bit of a slow burn to start. The first solid recommendation doesn’t pop up until Thursday the 13th, so don’t rush to wax your board yet. We’re looking at a few days of mostly small, onshore junk before we get a proper window.
The first real glimmer of hope comes Thursday morning, the 13th of August, at Cox Bay. We’ve got a 4 ft swell rolling in from the WNW with a short period of just 7 seconds, so it’s windswell, not the most powerful stuff. The wind is light cross-offshore from the SSE, which will keep the surface pretty clean. The wave energy is moderate (267), but it’s the first morning where you’re not fighting the wind.
We take a step back for a few days after that, with more small, onshore slop through the weekend and into early next week. But keep your eyes on Tuesday the 18th of August. Tuesday afternoon at Cox Bay is looking magic. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the west, with a 3 ft SSW swell. The energy is moderate (387), and the water is about a touch warmer than normal at 61 °F. Glassy conditions in the afternoon are rare, so if you can get out there, that’s the call.
The absolute standout of the whole run, though, is Wednesday morning, the 19th of August. This is where it gets exciting. We’ve got a clean 3 ft swell from the west with a period of 12 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The wind is a light cross-offshore south-southeasterly, blowing straight down the line. The total energy is ramping up to a solid 521, which is a very healthy push. The waves will have some proper shape and power, and it’ll be clean. That morning is the one to circle on the calendar.
After that, we fade back into smaller, crummier conditions with onshore breezes through the rest of the week and into the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd. We do see another small window on Tuesday the 25th of August, with flat calm, glassy conditions and a tiny 1 ft SW groundswell (period 16 seconds). The energy is low (169-212), but for a long-period glass-off, it might just be the only rideable game in town for a beginner. That’s far out though, so don’t bank on it just yet.
Overall, the best bet is Wednesday the 19th of August morning. It’s not giant, but for clean, lined-up surf, that’s the standout. Get it while it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Mon afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | W 7 | SW 18 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
89 | 121 | 104 | 79 | 129 | 111 | 154 | 259 | 128 | 129 | 206 | 124 | 119 | 149 | 103 | 280 | 209 | 339 | 334 | 441 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:23PM3.55m | 12:56PM3.02m | 00:21AM3.62m | 1:36PM3.18m | 1:15AM3.61m | 2:15PM3.30m | 2:04AM3.53m | 2:51PM3.38m | 2:51AM3.37m | 3:26PM3.41m | 3:37AM3.16m | 4:00PM3.38m | 4:23AM2.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:23PM1.57m | 6:26AM0.09m | 6:20PM1.34m | 7:12AM0.00m | 7:12PM1.12m | 7:52AM0.02m | 8:01PM0.94m | 8:30AM0.15m | 8:48PM0.82m | 9:05AM0.37m | 9:34PM0.77m | 9:40AM0.65m | 10:20PM0.79m | |||||||
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | W 8 | W 5 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | SW 15 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
89 | 121 | 104 | 28 | 37 | 107 | 98 | 259 | 128 | 103 | 89 | 110 | 70 | 109 | 73 | 123 | 109 | 339 | 334 | 441 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
30 | 23 | 31 | 79 | 129 | 111 | 154 | 150 | 95 | 129 | 206 | 124 | 119 | 20 | 16 | 280 | 209 | 78 | 56 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | W 5 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SSW 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | SSW 20 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 9 |
16 | 4 | 98 | 60 | 70 | 53 | 80 | 44 | 44 | 44 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 149 | 103 | 140 | 140 | 44 | 85 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | WNW 4 | — | WNW 6 | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | WNW 6 | — | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 5 | — |
9 | 2 | — | — | 34 | — | 63 | — | — | — | 158 | — | — | 31 | — | 12 | — | — | 3 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 687 | 9 | 162 | 1387 | 0 | 135 | 1021 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 9 | 825 | 1021 | 0 | 217 | 1021 | 0 | 162 | 763 | 0 |
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.











