Cox Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 49.10° N 125.88° W

Cox Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cox Bay sea temperature is
15.6°C
0.8° 

Cox Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cox Bay surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with 510 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with SW 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 26) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore 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 30) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Wed 26th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 30th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 18s
Most Powerful11AM (Sun 30th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with the full rundown on what's cooking over the next couple of weeks.

We're looking at a pretty solid stretch of small, clean, long-period swell to start, but the real fireworks are a week away. The water is running at 60°F with a normal temp anomaly for this time of year, so don't worry about a wetsuit change.

Let's start with the near-term. Wednesday the 26th is a write-off with very small 2ft swell from the SW and a slight cross-off wind, just not enough to get excited about. Thursday the 27th picks up a bit with 2ft SW swell and a nice offshore breeze in the morning, making for clean conditions. The combined energy is moderate at 319, but the wave size is still marginal. Friday the 28th morning is the real gem of the early period – a glassy morning with 1ft SSW swell, long 19-second period, and clean conditions. It's tiny but the quality is there for a longboard or a fun board. The afternoon goes onshore, so get out early.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th see a slight bump in size. Sunday morning is the standout of the first week: 3ft SSW swell at 17 seconds, clean with a cross-off ESE breeze, and the energy is moderate (619). It's a bit small but the period is long and the wind is right, so it'll be clean and fun. Monday the 31st holds similar 3ft swell with offshore winds in the afternoon, good for a session.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. Tuesday September 1st through Thursday September 3rd are messy – cross-shore winds, short period, and poor quality. The swell does rise to 4ft on Thursday but it's a short 8-second wind swell with onshore wind, so it's not worth paddling out for. Friday September 4th cleans up again with a 3ft WNW swell, 9-second period, and a cross-off breeze, making for clean, fun waves.

Now, the big news. The standout of the entire outlook is Saturday September 6th and Sunday September 7th. Saturday morning sees 6ft WNW swell with a 9-second period, clean cross-off wind, and very strong energy (834). By Saturday afternoon, the swell jumps to 10ft WNW with a glassy wind, and the energy is massive (1503). This is big, powerful surf – only for experienced surfers. Sunday September 7th holds 10ft WNW swell again, with clean cross-off wind and energy at 2147 in the morning. This is the best on offer, but it's a serious, heavy, long-period groundswell that will be best at Cox Bay's point and reef sections. The beach breaks might be too straight and fat. Monday September 8th is still solid at 5ft with clean conditions, but winds go glassy in the afternoon. After that, Wednesday September 9th gets blown out with strong onshore winds, and Thursday September 10th sees another 10ft swell but with onshore wind, making it messy.

So if you're an experienced surfer, pencil in Sunday September 7th for the best chance of clean, big waves. For everyone else, Sunday August 30th morning is the best of the smaller, cleaner stuff.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
0
2
1
1
3
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
16
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
15
0.4
SSW
19
0.5
SW
14
0.6
SW
16
0.7
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
18
0.7
SSW
18
0.9
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.7
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
1
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
163
125
124
122
112
104
139
103
211
255
211
273
510
326
402
306
272
272
183
168
153
Wind (km/h)
15
SSE
15
SSE
15
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
5
ESE
5
WSW
15
W
5
ESE
5
SW
5
W
5
WSW
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
20
ESE
10
SE
10
S
15
SE
25
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
High Tide
12:59PM2.91m
00:30AM3.23m
1:27PM3.03m
1:08AM3.26m
1:55PM3.14m
1:48AM3.25m
2:23PM3.25m
2:28AM3.20m
2:52PM3.34m
3:10AM3.10m
3:23PM3.40m
3:55AM2.96m
3:57PM3.43m
4:46AM2.79m
Low Tide
6:31PM1.38m
7:08AM0.48m
7:09PM1.18m
7:37AM0.47m
7:47PM0.99m
8:05AM0.52m
8:25PM0.83m
8:34AM0.63m
9:05PM0.70m
9:04AM0.81m
9:48PM0.64m
9:37AM1.03m
10:35PM0.64m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
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clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
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light rain
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:31
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:37
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:17
8:15
8:14
8:12
8:09
8:07
8:06
 mm
4
3
4
5
4
9
4
4
1
1
3
Temp °C
15
16
16
15
15
15
15
15
14
13
13
13
13
12
13
13
14
15
15
14
13
Feels °C
14
14
14
13
14
15
16
14
12
13
12
12
12
9
11
11
12
15
15
12
9
  • 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 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.

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