Surf Forecasts:
Cox Bay surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, W swell with 675 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m 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 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cox Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, this is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at the next stretch for Cox Bay. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s break it down.
We’re starting off here on Wednesday the 19th with small, marginal surf. The water temperature is sitting at 58°F, which is about normal for this time of year, nothin’ to write home about. The first few days are pretty underwhelming. We’ve got waist-high swell from the west, but the wind is cross or onshore, so it’s not gonna be clean. Thursday the 20th afternoon sees a bit more size, maybe 4ft from the west, but the wind is onshore and the energy is still moderate. It’s not great.
Friday and Saturday are small and inconsistent, with a weak, short-period swell. Saturday the 22nd afternoon has a little 4ft west swell with cross-offshore winds, so it might be clean, but the period is only 7 seconds, so it’ll be weak and crumbly. The wave energy is low – not worth paddlin’ out for.
Then we hit a real dry spell. From Sunday the 23rd all the way through the end of the month, the surf is poor. We’re talkin’ 1ft to 2ft, onshore winds, and low energy. There’s a few days with some long-period groundswell, like 16-18 seconds, but it’s tiny and the wind is rubbish. The combined energy stays low. It’s a long gap of flat, messy conditions.
Now, there’s a glimmer of hope. The best of the whole outlook, and the standout, is on Sunday, August 30th. The afternoon session at Cox Bay is looking like a real winner. We’ll have a 3ft swell from the SSW, with a solid 17-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is offshore from the ESE at 16 mph, which is gonna groom those waves into clean lines. The wave energy is moderate, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a great option for a longboard or a funboard, and the offshore wind will keep the crowds manageable, though it’s known to be “sometimes” crowded, so get out there early.
Monday the 31st also looks promising, with glassy conditions in the morning and afternoon, waist-high SSW swell at 15-16 seconds, but the energy is a bit lower. Still, clean waves are on offer.
After that, the first week of September is a bit of a gamble. The morning of September 3rd is another standout – a 6ft swell from the west, 10-second period, and glassy conditions. That’s gonna be a fun, punchy wave for the guys who know what they’re doin’. The energy is strong. But be aware: that size is getting into the “too big for beginners” territory. The afternoon is less clean with cross-onshore winds.
So, to wrap it up: the next week and a half is mostly flat and poor. The big winner is Sunday, August 30th afternoon – get your gear ready. If you can wait, September 3rd morning has some proper size and glass for the experienced crew. The rest is a wait-and-see game.
Stay psyched, stay patient.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | W 12 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 16 | W 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
264 | 325 | 233 | 220 | 388 | 202 | 186 | 183 | 197 | 181 | 159 | 104 | 67 | 76 | 129 | 114 | 206 | 194 | 147 | 183 | 219 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 12:29PM2.79m | 11:49PM3.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:02AM0.66m | 5:53PM1.57m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 12 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 11 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SSW 13 | W 8 | SSW 13 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
100 | 325 | 210 | 138 | 388 | 202 | 161 | 169 | 197 | 181 | 159 | 67 | 33 | 65 | 68 | 35 | 206 | 194 | 147 | 183 | 219 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 11 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 20 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 |
264 | 75 | 233 | 144 | 273 | 188 | 186 | 183 | 178 | 101 | 68 | 66 | 67 | 41 | 129 | 114 | 29 | 65 | 64 | 92 | 120 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 15 | W 11 | W 13 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 11 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WSW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 14 | W 7 |
121 | 123 | 223 | 220 | 4 | 39 | 3 | 15 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 10 | 66 | 38 | 42 | 42 | 43 | 63 | 77 | 66 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | SE 3 | W 6 | W 6 | W 8 | — | — | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 104 | 31 | 76 | — | — | 62 | 70 | 40 | 52 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 93 | 93 | 0 | 119 | 163 | 0 | 135 | 763 | 0 | 119 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 93 | 9 | 119 | 687 | 93 | 687 | 687 | 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.











