
Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, WNW swell with 497 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cox Bay in the next 16 days are 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up for Cox Bay over the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of windows worth getting excited about.
First up, the water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there. The good news starts on Sunday, July 12th. The morning session is your pick of the first week. We’ve got clean 2ft swell rolling in from the SW, with a long 14-second period meaning some proper groundswell energy. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSE, keeping things tidy. The energy is moderate (405), and for a beginner-friendly spot like Cox Bay, that combo is sweet. Just be aware the crowds can show up sometimes.
Monday and Tuesday are a write-off thanks to onshore winds and junky conditions. Wednesday the 15th stays marginal with light cross-onshore bumps. Thursday the 16th afternoon shows some promise again though – a clean window with 4ft swell from the WNW, an 8-second period, and light cross-offshore winds. It’s worth a look if you’re free.
As we push into the second week, things get bigger but windier. Around Wednesday, July 22nd, we see a big pulse of energy with swell hitting 8ft to 10ft from the WNW, but the period is short (8 seconds) and the wind is onshore. That’s expert-only territory, and honestly, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session. The energy is very strong (1525).
Finally, keep an eye on Friday, July 24th. The morning is looking glassy with a light offshore from the SSW and 6ft of WNW swell. The period is short (7 seconds), but with glassy conditions and strong energy (773), it could be a fun, punchy session if you’re a confident surfer. That’s the standout of the deeper forecast, but it’s a week and a half out, so don’t bet the farm on it yet.
Overall, the first Sunday morning is the clear winner. After that, it’s a waiting game for a couple of cleaner windows.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 13 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 18 | WNW 8 | W 17 | W 16 | WNW 10 | W 16 | W 15 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
211 | 214 | 217 | 178 | 121 | 125 | 129 | 136 | 125 | 96 | 147 | 171 | 167 | 152 | 167 | 278 | 178 | 209 | 172 | 167 | 482 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 10:29PM3.56m | 12:23PM2.82m | 11:27PM3.67m | 1:14PM2.97m | 00:24AM3.73m | 2:00PM3.09m | 1:20AM3.73m | 2:43PM3.18m | 2:13AM3.64m | 3:25PM3.24m | 3:05AM3.46m | 4:06PM3.27m | 3:56AM3.23m | 4:46PM3.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:44AM0.19m | 5:24PM1.65m | 6:39AM-0.00m | 6:24PM1.52m | 7:29AM-0.13m | 7:19PM1.37m | 8:15AM-0.16m | 8:12PM1.22m | 8:58AM-0.08m | 9:05PM1.11m | 9:39AM0.10m | 9:58PM1.04m | 10:18AM0.36m | ||||||||
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
9:25 | — | — | 9:25 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | 9:20 | |
mm | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 15 | SW 15 |
160 | 167 | 132 | 86 | 64 | 125 | 129 | 136 | 125 | 96 | 147 | 171 | 167 | 133 | 167 | 85 | 170 | 209 | 125 | 167 | 75 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 19 | W 18 | W 17 | W 17 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 9 | SW 18 |
211 | 214 | 217 | 178 | 121 | 67 | 19 | 67 | 101 | 96 | 64 | 109 | 112 | 152 | 140 | 278 | 178 | 176 | 172 | 44 | 49 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 17 | W 15 | W 16 | W 15 | SW 21 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 21 |
23 | 24 | 41 | 44 | 71 | 18 | 64 | 62 | 55 | 55 | 109 | 38 | 107 | 93 | 90 | 89 | 89 | 84 | 130 | 54 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | 58 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | — | 45 | 121 | 482 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 687 | 1 | 119 | 1285 | 21 | 825 | 93 | 0 | 145 | 1021 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 119 | 119 | 123 | 135 | 687 | 687 |
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.











