
Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s period, SW swell with 846 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 1.1m 19s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surf crew, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but things are brewing. The standout window is looking like next week, but we’ve got to get through a few quiet days first.
The first real chance for a paddle comes on Monday morning, July 27th. Cox Bay is waking up to a cloudy sky with a 3 ft swell rolling in from the southwest. The period is a massive 18 seconds, which is proper groundswell energy, but it’s a bit cross-off at 12 mph. The water is sitting at 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 571, so there’s some grunt there, but the scores are low, so it’s a bit questionable. The wind stays cross-off through the afternoon with a 3 ft swell, but it’s not going to be a classic.
Tuesday, July 28th looks a little more promising. The morning brings a 4 ft SW swell with a 19-second period – that’s some serious energy pushing through (1076 combined energy). The wind is light and cross from the south at just 3 mph, which is close to ideal. This is a strong, long-period groundswell, and at a spot like Cox Bay, that long period will be a real treat on the point. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so you’ll get waves, but it’s a beginner-friendly break, so that 4 ft is perfect for learning. The afternoon cleans up with clear skies and a light cross breeze, dropping to 3 ft.
Wednesday, July 29th is a bit of a washout. The morning has a 4 ft swell with a 17-second period, but the wind is onshore from the WSW at 3 mph. The afternoon is worse with a 9 mph onshore breeze. The scores are low, so it’s a miss.
Thursday, July 30th is the pick of the first week. The morning is glassy. The wind is a whisper from the southwest at 3 mph, and the swell is 3 ft from the SSW with a 16-second period. The combined energy is 605, and it’s described as "expect very good surf conditions." This is the one to circle. Clean, glassy conditions with a solid, long-period groundswell. It’s a beginner spot, but this will be a fun, rideable size for everyone.
After that, Friday, July 31st has a 2 ft SW swell with a 15-second period and light cross-off wind in the morning, so it’s clean, but small. The weekend into early next week is pretty quiet with small, weak swells and onshore winds.
Now, hold on to your board, because Sunday, August 2nd brings a shift. The morning shows a 5 ft swell from the WSW, but the period drops to 9 seconds, and the wind is onshore. The afternoon is a 5 ft windswell from the W with a short 8-second period and 9 mph onshore wind. This is messy, choppy stuff. Not great for paddling, but with that size and wind, it’s looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The real big stuff comes in the second week. Friday, August 7th is a warning. The morning has a 7 ft WNW swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and the wind is cross-on. The afternoon is a solid 10 ft WNW swell with a massive 1435 combined energy, but the wind is a strong 16 mph cross-on, making it a choppy, lumpy mess. This is expert-only territory if you’re a masochist, but honestly, it’s going to be a washing machine.
Saturday, August 8th is a bit better. The morning has a 8 ft WNW swell (8 seconds) with a light cross wind from the SSW at 3 mph. The combined energy is 1197. The wind is better, but the short period at that size will be a big, steep, and fast wall. The afternoon is a 10 ft swell with onshore wind, so it’s blown out again.
After that, the swell drops off rapidly. Sunday, August 9th sees a 2 ft SSW swell with a long 18-second period and light cross wind, but it’s small. The following Monday and Tuesday bring a pulse of 4 ft to 5 ft W and WNW swell with a 10-second period, but the winds are mostly onshore, so it’s not worth the hype.
So, the true standout is Thursday morning, July 30th at Cox Bay. Get it while it’s glassy. The long-range promise of Saturday, August 8th is there for the big-wave crew, but it’s a gamble with the wind.
Stay stoked, stay safe.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WSW 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
475 | 614 | 727 | 837 | 326 | 498 | 695 | 528 | 458 | 545 | 452 | 430 | 232 | 353 | 268 | 167 | 183 | 166 | 391 | 270 | 186 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:03PM2.74m | 00:05AM3.22m | 1:35PM2.83m | 00:45AM3.27m | 2:05PM2.90m | 1:23AM3.28m | 2:35PM2.98m | 2:01AM3.26m | 3:04PM3.04m | 2:40AM3.19m | 3:34PM3.10m | 3:22AM3.08m | 4:04PM3.16m | 4:06AM2.93m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:12PM1.70m | 7:07AM0.47m | 6:50PM1.59m | 7:40AM0.40m | 7:28PM1.47m | 8:10AM0.38m | 8:06PM1.35m | 8:39AM0.40m | 8:46PM1.23m | 9:08AM0.48m | 9:27PM1.12m | 9:38AM0.61m | 10:12PM1.03m | ||||||||
5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | |
mm | — | 3 | 10 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 7 | SW 7 | WSW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 9 | SSW 13 | W 8 |
475 | 614 | 727 | 231 | 199 | 307 | 190 | 124 | 458 | 545 | 452 | 430 | 232 | 91 | 117 | 72 | 54 | 132 | 391 | 120 | 186 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 8 | SW 6 | SW 19 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 13 |
40 | 35 | 40 | 837 | 326 | 498 | 695 | 528 | 76 | 38 | 46 | 88 | 55 | 353 | 268 | 167 | 183 | 166 | 95 | 15 | 88 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WNW 8 | S 10 | SSW 20 | SW 12 | S 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | WSW 7 | SSW 9 | — | SSW 15 | SW 8 | SW 20 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
56 | 46 | 13 | 8 | 253 | 39 | 18 | 24 | 41 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 35 | 8 | — | 71 | 3 | 15 | 35 | 15 | 49 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — |
30 | 23 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 270 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 21 | 119 | 9 | 687 | 0 | 274 | 749 | 9 | 0 | 1386 | 0 | 0 | 749 | 9 | 163 | 749 | 0 | 93 | 1387 | 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.










