The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf lined up at The Cove over the next couple of weeks, but it’s a tale of two halves. The first week or so is all about clean, fun-sized waves, while the second week brings a noticeable jump in energy and quality. The best of the bunch looks to be around the 24th and 25th of July, with some real standouts. Let’s break it down.

The forecast kicks off Wednesday, 15 July, with a small but inviting 2ft west swell rolling in at 15 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, meaning proper energy and shape, but it’ll be clean with glassy conditions and almost no wind. The Cove is a reef break that needs an offshore from the NNE, and we’ve got 3 mph from the SW, which is basically flat calm. It’s a tricky spot, only for advanced surfers, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for sets. The combined wave energy is moderate (565). The water temp is about average for the time of year. Crowds are sometimes a factor here, so you might have a few others in the water.

Thursday the 16th starts with a cross-on breeze, but the afternoon turns glassy with a 2ft swell from the SSW. The period drops to 13 seconds, so it’s a bit weaker, but still clean. Friday the 17th looks great again: morning glass with 2ft at 14 seconds from the W, then afternoon offshore winds from the NNE with a 2ft south swell at 16 seconds. That’s clean, lined-up, and fun.

Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th are more ordinary, with smaller surf (1ft to 2ft) and the energy drops off. The swell periods are long, especially Sunday morning with a 19-second swell from the south, but it’s just not big enough to get excited about. The combined energy falls to 193 to 250, which is weak.

Things pick up again on Monday, 20 July. The morning is glassy with a 3ft south swell at 16 seconds, and the energy is back to moderate (505). The afternoon goes offshore from the NNE at 9 mph, and it’s clean. That’s a solid day. Tuesday the 21st is similar: 3ft south swell at 14 seconds in the morning, glassy, with a gentle offshore in the afternoon. The energy is still moderate (468).

Now, the real fireworks start around Wednesday, 22 July. The morning is glassy with a 2ft south swell, but the period is a massive 24 seconds – that’s very long-period groundswell. The energy is moderate (617). The afternoon is the first true standout: 2ft from the SSW at 23 seconds, with offshore winds from the NE at 9 mph. The combined energy jumps to 717 (still moderate, but strong for the size). Expect very clean, long-lined waves, but remember, this is a reef break – that long period will make it super consistent and powerful.

Thursday the 23rd keeps the offshore flow going, with 2ft SSW swell at 20 seconds and moderate energy. Then we hit the best two days of the whole outlook. Friday, 24 July, morning: 3ft SSW swell at 18 seconds, offshore from the NNE at 6 mph, and the combined energy is 667. Saturday, 25 July, morning: 3ft SSW swell at 19 seconds, with a cross-offshore wind from the NNW at 6 mph, and the energy jumps to 1009 – that’s moderate to strong energy. The Saturday afternoon is also a standout: 3ft SSW swell at 18 seconds, offshore from the north at 12 mph, and energy at 812. These two days are the pick of the bunch: clean, moderate-sized groundswell with solid energy and proper offshore winds.

After that, the surf tails off. Sunday the 26th has a cross-on wind in the morning, though the afternoon turns glassy again with a 3ft south swell. The energy is still moderate (598). Monday the 27th through to Thursday the 30th sees the swell drop back to 2ft to 3ft, with periods between 14 and 16 seconds. The winds are mostly offshore or glassy, but the energy weakens. It’s surfable, but nothing special.

The main takeaway: the first week is fun, clean, and small. The second week, especially the 24th and 25th of July, is where you want to be. The Cove won’t be crowded, but it’s an advanced-only, inconsistent reef, so you’ll need patience and skill. The long-period swells mean the waves will have plenty of push, and the offshores will keep them glassy. If you’re an expert, those two days are the ones.

Rusty.

Read more