Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, W swell with 537 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s is also forecast. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.
First up, we’ve got Cox Bay. It’s a beach and point break that generally stays fairly consistent, so a flat spell is never the norm around here. Water temp is 59°F, which is about average for the time of year, so no big surprises.
The immediate forecast is a little touch-and-go. Tuesday the 18th kicks off with a small 3ft SSW swell and a light cross breeze – not much to write home about. Wednesday morning the 19th is a step up, with a clean 3ft W swell and a light cross-off wind that’ll keep the surface smooth. The energy is moderate at 502. Wednesday afternoon turns onshore and a bit bumpy. Thursday the 20th has a 4ft W swell but cross-onshore wind messes with the surface.
The best bet in this first stretch is Friday morning the 21st. It’s small – only 2ft from the SSW – but the wind goes dead glassy. Energy is still a solid 363. That’s a perfect window for a longboard. Saturday the 22nd morning also has some clean moments: 4ft W swell, no wind, glassy as a lake. It’s a short-period swell though, so expect it to be a bit fat and lacking push.
Then things go flat and grumpy. From Sunday the 23rd through to Tuesday the 1st of September, it’s almost all tiny, onshore, and poor. There’s some long-period groundswell running, but it’s only 1ft to 2ft and the wind is straight on it – just not worth the effort.
Now, for the patient ones. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is the one to circle. We’re looking at a clean 6ft W swell (998 energy – strong) with a cross-off ESE breeze. That’s proper size for a point break. The afternoon goes glassy with 5ft from the WNW. That’s your payoff. Keep in mind, those waves are serious enough that beginners should think twice.
So yeah, the next week is a bit of a snooze, but the very start of September is looking like a proper reward.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SW 14 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 16 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 9 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
268 | 214 | 282 | 264 | 537 | 223 | 396 | 396 | 188 | 186 | 183 | 178 | 127 | 153 | 98 | 67 | 65 | 129 | 114 | 212 | 194 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:12PM3.17m | 6:10AM2.48m | 5:55PM3.04m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:49AM1.27m | 00:01AM0.97m | 11:29AM1.55m | 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 | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 12 | W 6 | W 7 | W 12 | WNW 8 | W 11 | W 11 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 |
110 | 196 | 84 | 117 | 537 | 173 | 396 | 396 | 155 | 153 | 165 | 118 | 127 | 153 | 90 | 63 | 42 | 129 | 114 | 212 | 43 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 12 | W 12 | SSW 14 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 18 |
268 | 47 | 282 | 264 | 123 | 192 | 220 | 306 | 188 | 186 | 183 | 178 | 101 | 99 | 98 | 67 | 65 | 42 | 42 | 29 | 194 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 11 | W 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 20 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
123 | 214 | 178 | 121 | 120 | 223 | 4 | 4 | 79 | 14 | 15 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 66 | 66 | 42 | 28 | 28 | 42 | 63 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 71 | 47 | 57 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 0 | 119 | 763 | 0 | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 687 | 119 | 119 | 749 | 119 | 151 | 763 | 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.











