The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at the only game in town for the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a long, drawn-out run of small but clean conditions at The Cove. Don’t expect any hero waves, but if you’re after a peaceful paddle and some groomed little lines, this stretch has its moments. The water’s sitting at a warm 80°, which is dead average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The best of the lot kicks off on Wednesday afternoon, September 9th. We’ve got a clean 3ft SSW swell rolling in with a solid 13-second period, and the wind is absolutely glassy. The combined energy is moderate (299), but for a reef break that needs that west in the swell, this is about as tidy as it gets. It’s only for advanced crew though, and remember, The Cove is inconsistent, so patience is key. It can get a few heads in the water sometimes too.

Thursday the 10th stays small but sweet. Both the morning and afternoon sessions are clean with glassy to light offshore winds. That SW groundswell hangs in at 2ft but with a very long period of 16-18 seconds. That long period means proper energy for the size, and those long lulls between sets will make the paddle out a breeze, but at a reef like this, it should wrap in nicely.

Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th keep the same program: small 2-2ft SW swell, glassy starts and clean afternoons. The energy drops a bit (276 and 226), but it’s still surfable. Nothing to write home about, but a fun log or a mid-length would be perfect.

Sunday the 13th sees the swell drop to 1ft, but the wind swings offshore from the NNE at 12 mph in the afternoon, keeping things clean. The energy is weak (91) at that point, so it’s a real knee-high day.

There’s a bit of a lull through Monday the 14th morning with poor surf, but that afternoon picks back up with a surprise: a 2ft swell with a massive 22-second period and gentle offshore wind. The energy jumps back to moderate (276). This is one of the more interesting windows – that extremely long period is a rarity.

Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th get a little bump, with swell pushing 2ft to 3ft from the SW, and combined energy climbing into the moderate-strong range (434-468). The problem? The wind gets a little messy with cross-onshore and cross-shore breezes, making it marginal. Still, if the tide plays ball, there could be a sneaky one.

Now, the real standout for the whole outlook is the end of the second week. From Thursday the 17th right through to Saturday the 19th, we’ve got a beautiful run of small but quality SSW swell. Mornings on the 17th and 18th are clean with offshore wind, and the afternoon of the 18th is the highlight: 3ft of SSW groundswell at 17 seconds and a clean offshore breeze from the NE. The combined energy hits 615 (strong) – that’s proper punch for the size. This is your best bet for the cleanest, most organised waves on offer. It’s still small, so it’s not a big-wave day, but the quality will be there. Crowds are a possibility though.

Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st fade off, with onshore wind and poor conditions by the 21st. We get a little resurgence on the 23rd with glassy 2-2ft SSW swell, but the 24th turns marginal again with onshore wind and a building 3ft swell.

Overall, there’s no big swell on the cards. The consistent, glassy mornings and the long-period groundswells in the second week are your best shots. Don’t expect to get epic, but if you want a clean, quiet session on a tricky reef, there are a few windows that are worth a look.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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