Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, W swell with 457 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period with W 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. 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 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's shaping up for Cox Bay.
Right off the bat, we've got a bit of a slow start. The surf picks up on Thursday the 20th of August, but it's a bit of a mixed bag. The morning has a clean 4.3ft west swell, with a light cross breeze, putting the combined energy at a solid 620, but the report's not getting too excited about it – feels like the tide might be working against us. The afternoon drops off quickly, so don't expect much.
Friday the 21st of August is where you want to be if you can get out early. The morning is glassy with a clean 2.3ft SSW swell. The energy is moderate (354), but that glassy surface is a rare treat and makes for a fun little session on the smaller waves. It's perfect for a beginner on a foamie or just getting the cobwebs out.
Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd see the swell drop and the wind turn onshore, making things a bit of a mess. You'll see some small waves, but the quality just isn't there. We're looking at a stretch of days where the wind is predominantly onshore, keeping things choppy until we get to the end of the month.
Sunday the 30th of August brings a little flicker of hope. The morning offers a clean 2.6ft SSW swell with a light cross-offshore breeze and a healthy combined energy of 451. Then, Monday the 31st of August morning is looking even better – glassy conditions again with a 2.6ft SSW swell and energy of 428. It's not big, but it'll be clean and fun.
Now, the real standout is Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning session is looking like the best of the whole window. We’ve got a glassy start, a 5.2ft SW swell with a period of 9 seconds, and a combined energy of 649. The report calls for "very good surf conditions" and I wouldn't argue. It's still a manageable size for most, but with that solid energy, the waves will have some push. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 7.5ft from the same direction, but the wind swings onshore, so get it while it's good in the morning.
The final few days into early September see the swell drop back down, with the wind becoming a factor again. It's a typical late summer pattern – patience is key. That Tuesday morning is the one to circle on the calendar.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu night, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
237 | 396 | 273 | 202 | 186 | 183 | 178 | 109 | 104 | 76 | 78 | 65 | 129 | 114 | 208 | 194 | 147 | 183 | 264 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 7:24AM2.33m | 6:51PM2.92m | 9:06AM2.30m | 8:02PM2.86m | 10:29AM2.39m | 9:13PM2.88m | 11:20AM2.52m | 10:13PM2.96m | 11:58AM2.66m | 11:04PM3.06m | 12:29PM2.79m | 11:49PM3.16m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:04AM1.06m | 12:18PM1.78m | 2:17AM1.09m | 1:34PM1.93m | 3:29AM1.04m | 3:13PM1.96m | 4:32AM0.93m | 4:22PM1.87m | 5:22AM0.79m | 5:12PM1.73m | 6:02AM0.66m | 5:53PM1.57m | |||||||
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
8:31 | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 16 |
173 | 396 | 151 | 202 | 165 | 173 | 140 | 109 | 104 | 76 | 78 | 55 | 52 | 48 | 47 | 81 | 44 | 32 | 264 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 17 | WSW 15 |
237 | 220 | 144 | 188 | 186 | 183 | 178 | 101 | 99 | 67 | 67 | 65 | 129 | 114 | 208 | 194 | 147 | 183 | 71 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | W 15 | SSW 16 | W 11 | W 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 20 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
223 | 4 | 273 | 58 | 3 | 15 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 66 | 66 | 41 | 42 | 42 | 30 | 64 | 63 | 65 | 59 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 2 | — | — | — | WNW 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 25 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 119 | 145 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 217 | 226 | 1019 | 1 | 119 | 749 | 135 | 226 | 825 | 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.











