Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, WNW swell with 422 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s 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 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break this down in feet, miles per hour, and Fahrenheit.
Water temp is 58°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, nothing unusual.
The run starts Friday morning, July 17th, with a 3ft swell from the west. The wind is light and cross-offshore out of the southeast at 6 mph, keeping things clean. The swell period is a long 11 seconds, so you’ll get some decent lines with moderate energy (508). It’s a great start for a beginner-friendly spot like Cox Bay, and the waves are small enough for anyone. Friday afternoon is even better with a glassy 3 mph breeze from the ESE, making the 3ft WNW swell look really clean.
Saturday July 18th is a bust. The wind goes onshore from the west at 6 mph, and the swell drops to 2ft with a very long period of 15 seconds. That’s groundswell, but it’s breaking too straight for this beach and point setup, and the onshore wind just ruins it. Sunday and Monday are also marginal, with cross-onshore winds and small, short-period swell. The energy is moderate, but the conditions aren’t there.
The first real standout is Tuesday morning, July 21st. Only 2ft, but it’s a 16-second period swell from the southwest, and the wind is glassy from the SSW at 3 mph. Energy is moderate (334). For a beginner break, this is about as clean as it gets, even if the waves are small.
Wednesday morning, July 22nd, is the pick of the first week. The swell bumps up to 5ft from the WNW with an 8-second period, and again, glassy conditions from the south. Energy is moderate (473). The waves will have a bit more push, but it’s still beginner-friendly.
The second week is promising but less certain. Saturday July 25th afternoon has a 2ft swell from the southwest with a very long 22-second period, and the wind is light cross-off from the southeast at 6 mph. Energy is moderate (546), and it’s clean. Sunday July 26th morning is the best of the second week: 3ft from the southwest, 21-second period, and glassy conditions from the southwest. Energy jumps to 616 (moderate-to-strong). But with that long period, the waves will be very straight, so you’ll need to find a sandbank or a point to get the best out of it.
After that, the wind turns onshore and the quality drops. From Wednesday July 29th onward, it’s mainly onshore and poor, so the window closes. If you’re paddling out, aim for the Friday morning, July 17th, or the Tuesday/Wednesday mornings of the first week. The second week’s Sunday morning is a maybe, but nothing is locked in yet.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue night, min 17°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | SW 18 | SW 19 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 242 | 222 | 196 | 167 | 197 | 249 | 191 | 273 | 310 | 243 | 238 | 133 | 203 | 203 | 216 | 244 | 221 | 250 | 211 | 194 | 142 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 8:06AM2.35m | 7:49PM3.02m | 9:36AM2.34m | 8:47PM3.00m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:55AM1.05m | 1:15PM1.61m | 3:01AM1.02m | 2:27PM1.79m | 4:06AM0.93m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 242 | 222 | 196 | 165 | 113 | 203 | 191 | 64 | 310 | 167 | 167 | 133 | 127 | 181 | 216 | 244 | 221 | 250 | 211 | 194 | 141 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 178 | 176 | 172 | 167 | 75 | 249 | 173 | 65 | 165 | 243 | 238 | 125 | 203 | 203 | 160 | 144 | 142 | 142 | 162 | 158 | 142 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | W 14 | W 14 | SW 19 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | S 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 88 | 85 | 130 | 74 | 49 | 103 | 100 | 58 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 13 | 4 | 17 | 64 | 85 | 83 | 72 | 67 | 58 | 48 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | SE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 197 | — | — | 273 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 17 | 343 | 825 | 0 | 119 | 151 | 0 | 119 | 145 | 0 | 0 | 763 | 0 | 0 | 226 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
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