
Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, WNW swell with 909 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 (Jul 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Cox Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Overall, it’s a mixed bag. The first few days are pretty lacklustre – small, messy, and not really worth paddling out for. The best stuff is tucked away in the second week, with a couple of standout mornings that’ll get your heart pumping. There’s a gap of poor or marginal conditions from the start all the way through to the 20th, so don’t rush.
Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th are write-offs. Wednesday morning has a tiny 3ft swell from the WNW with a short 9-second period, plus cross-shore wind and weak energy (307). It’s just not happening. Thursday is even smaller – 2ft in the morning and 2ft in the afternoon – with a long period swell (17-18 seconds) but the energy is moderate (357-436). The cross-off wind in the morning keeps it clean, but the size is too small for any real fun.
Friday 17th morning is the first real glimmer. Cox Bay picks up a 3ft swell from the west, 11-second period, with cross-off wind and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (508), and it’s the best of the first week. The afternoon though, the wind swings onshore and kills it.
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th are a step up in size but not in quality. Saturday morning sees 2ft from the west with a long 15-second period and cross-on wind, energy moderate (387). Saturday afternoon gets a 5ft swell but it’s short period (7 seconds) and onshore – choppy and no good. Sunday morning has 5ft again, 8-second period, cross-on wind, and moderate energy (547). It’s lumpy. Sunday afternoon is similar but worse.
Monday 20th morning is a beauty. The swell drops to 2ft from the SW but with a very long 17-second groundswell, glassy conditions, and moderate energy (491). The water temp is about average for the time of year. It’s clean, small, and perfect for a longboard. The afternoon sees cross-on wind mess it up again.
Tuesday 21st afternoon is another glassy moment – 2ft, SW, 16-second period, clean. The energy is moderate (399). A nice little session for those who like it smooth.
From Wednesday 22nd through to the end of the month, the swell stays small (1ft to 6ft) and the wind is mostly cross or onshore. The energy ramps up into the high hundreds and even over 1000 by the 26th, but the conditions are never quite right. The 27th afternoon sees a 6ft WNW swell, but the onshore wind and short period (8 seconds) make it a messy one for experts only.
The standout is definitely Friday 17th morning – clean, cross-off wind, 3ft west swell, and decent energy. The second standout is Monday 20th morning – glassy, long period groundswell, and tiny but clean. If you’re after a bit more size, the 27th afternoon has 6ft, but it’s only for the experienced and the wind isn’t kind.
Cox Bay can get crowded sometimes, so keep that in mind. For now, wait for the 17th or the 20th morning and you’ll score.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue night, min 13°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 18 | W 8 | W 18 | W 17 | W 17 | W 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
160 | 135 | 120 | 137 | 152 | 199 | 204 | 242 | 255 | 201 | 167 | 259 | 449 | 310 | 280 | 363 | 243 | 235 | 125 | 203 | 258 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 1:20AM3.73m | 2:43PM3.18m | 2:13AM3.64m | 3:25PM3.24m | 3:05AM3.46m | 4:06PM3.27m | 3:56AM3.23m | 4:46PM3.27m | 4:47AM2.96m | 5:26PM3.23m | 5:42AM2.70m | 6:09PM3.16m | 6:46AM2.48m | 6:55PM3.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:15AM-0.16m | 8:12PM1.22m | 8:58AM-0.08m | 9:05PM1.11m | 9:39AM0.10m | 9:58PM1.04m | 10:18AM0.36m | 10:52PM1.02m | 10:57AM0.68m | 11:49PM1.03m | 11:37AM1.02m | 00:50AM1.05m | 12:21PM1.35m | ||||||||
— | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | |
9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | 9:16 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 7 | W 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
160 | 135 | 120 | 137 | 112 | 147 | 120 | 242 | 255 | 201 | 156 | 113 | 449 | 310 | 280 | 363 | 217 | 180 | 119 | 116 | 125 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 18 | W 17 | W 17 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 9 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 19 | W 14 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
96 | 63 | 109 | 106 | 152 | 199 | 204 | 178 | 176 | 172 | 64 | 75 | 249 | 173 | 64 | 165 | 243 | 235 | 125 | 203 | 258 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 18 | W 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | W 15 | SW 18 | W 14 | W 14 | SW 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | S 10 | S 14 |
11 | 109 | 50 | 57 | 93 | 90 | 89 | 88 | 84 | 130 | 167 | 49 | 103 | 64 | 64 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 2 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | — | WNW 5 | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 29 | — | 259 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 123 | 1386 | 0 | 119 | 119 | 0 | 0 | 1387 | 93 | 123 | 825 | 0 | 119 | 201 | 0 | 0 | 226 | 0 | 123 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Vancouver Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Canada | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











