The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what we've got cookin' for The Cove over the next couple of weeks.

First thing you need to know, the water temp is sitting at 80°, which is bang on normal for this time of year – nothing freaky going on there, just your typical warm bath.

Now, the pattern. We're looking at a run of clean, decent waves kicking off from Monday afternoon, the 10th of August. The first few days are a bit of a slow burner, with modest swell, but the quality is there. The real standout window starts mid-week, and there's a sneaky good one right at the tail end that might be worth circling on your calendar.

Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th August

The opening act is on Monday afternoon. The Cove is seeing a tiny 2ft SSW groundswell, with a nice long 16-second period. With a light cross-off breeze, it's clean (combined energy 319). Not a big day, but a fun one.

Tuesday the 11th is the pick of these early days. Morning goes absolutely glassy – zero wind – with 3ft of that same SSW groundswell (combined energy 324). This is your chance to get some silky, clean little runners before the breeze picks up.

The Main Event: Wednesday 12th through Friday 14th August

Here we go. From Wednesday morning the 12th, things step up. We've got 3ft of S swell, the period is a very long 18 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 879. This is proper groundswell. The wind is a clean cross-off in the morning, and by the afternoon it goes full offshore from the NNE at 12 mph. This is the best on offer – a beautiful, lined-up reef break with real push.

Thursday the 13th keeps the quality high. Another day of 4 to 4ft S swell (period 15-16 seconds) with clean offshore NNE winds all day. Combined energy is still pumping in the 600-700 range. This spot is inconsistent by nature, but when it's on like this, it's worth the wait.

Friday the 14th is still solid, with 3ft of S swell and clean offshore winds. It starts to dip in energy a bit (around 445-452), but it's still a very surfable morning and afternoon.

The Drop-Off & Rough Stuff: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August

Saturday morning the 15th, the swell is still hanging in at 3ft, but the wind is howling offshore at 22 mph. It's clean, but that's a lot of wind for a reef break – it'll be a battle out there. The combined energy is dropping (293-302), and it's just not as fun. By Saturday afternoon, they're calling it marginal.

Sunday the 16th is a write-off. A messy, short-period 8ft swell with a nasty cross-onshore wind. Combined energy is 625, but it's all wind-slop. Avoid.

The Second Week: Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd August

The surf goes quiet. From Monday the 17th to Sunday the 23rd, we're looking at tiny waves – mostly 1ft to 2ft. There are some glassy windows on Monday the 17th and Thursday the 20th, but it's more of a longboard or a rest day vibe. Conditions are ordinary at best. A real blank patch after the fun of the first week.

Late-Breaking Hope: Monday 24th & Tuesday 25th August

Alright, don't write off the whole run just yet. The very end of the forecast window looks promising. On Monday the 24th, the glassy morning gives way to 3ft from the SSW with a 19-second period (combined energy 614). It's clean.

But the real dark horse is Tuesday the 25th. We're looking at 4 to 4ft of S swell, period 16-17 seconds, with gentle offshore NE winds. The combined energy hits 1033, which is pumping. It's a long way off, so don't pin your hopes on it, but right now that Tuesday looks like it could be a cracker.

So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Wednesday the 12th through Thursday the 13th for the full package of clean, lined-up swell. If you're patient, keep an eye on that Tuesday the 25th for a late-summer bonus.

Stay wet.

Rusty.

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