The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight up: The Cove is the only break we’ve got on the radar, and it’s a tricky one. It’s an advanced reef setup that’s inconsistent and sometimes crowded, so don’t expect much. The water’s sitting at 80° – about average for this time of year, nothing wild.

Right now, we’re looking at a pretty flat start. The first bit of rideable swell doesn’t show until Friday the 23rd of August. Through Friday and into the weekend, we’re talking tiny 2 ft to 2 ft SSW swells with a long period around 15-16 seconds. The wind plays nice – glassy or light offshore – but the wave energy is weak (combined energy under 300). It’s small, clean, but nothing to get excited about. Just knee-high dribblers for the patient ones.

Monday the 26th of August is where things perk up a little. Swell bumps to 2 ft from the SSW, period 14 seconds, and the wind stays offshore from the NNE at 9 mph. The energy jumps to moderate (454), and conditions are clean. Still small, but the shape should be better. By Wednesday the 28th of August morning, we hit the standout – 3 ft SSW swell with a solid 16-second period, offshore NNE wind at 9 mph, and combined energy hitting 836 (moderate-to-strong). This is the best on offer: clean, long-period groundswell hitting that reef. The water’s clear, wind’s good, and it’s the one session to aim for. Afternoon drops off a touch, but still fun.

Thursday the 29th of August morning stays clean with 3 ft S swell and offshore wind, energy at 372 – a solid runner-up. Then things get dicey. Friday the 30th of August sees the wind crank up to 16 mph, making it messy and hard work for a small 2 ft swell. Into September, we hit a rough patch. The 1st of September brings 22-25 mph offshore winds – so strong it’s tough to paddle into, even with 3 ft SSW swell and long 18-second period (energy 533). That’s more for kite surfers than paddle surfers, given the beach-and-reef setup.

After that, Wednesday the 4th of September afternoon sees a nice glassy window with 3 ft SSW swell and energy at 337 – clean and rideable. Into the second week, it’s a mixed bag of small glassy mornings and onshore slop. The 7th of September Saturday morning offers a tiny 1 ft SSW swell with a very long 20-second period and glassy wind, energy at 301 – small and clean but barely a ripple for the advanced crew.

Overall, the first week has a few clean, small windows, with Wednesday the 28th of August morning as the true standout. The second week is quieter, with just a couple of glassy moments on offer. Keep your expectations low and your eyes on the forecast.

Rusty.

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