
Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,111 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove this week:
The surf forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for The Cove over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the first week is a write-off. The Cove is a quality reef set-up, but for the first several days the wind is just a mess. We’ve got strong cross-shore breezes and choppy, messy conditions that won’t do this place any favours. The water temp is sitting around 55°, which is about average for the time of year, so nothing to write home about there.
The first glimmer of hope comes on Thursday morning, the 23rd of July. The wind swings to a cross-offshore, cleaning things up, but the swell is only 5 ft from the WNW with a short period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (221). It’s tagged as marginal, so it’s a maybe if you’re desperate.
Friday the 24th sees the swell bump up to 8 ft from the W with a period of 9 seconds, and the energy gets serious – 962 (moderate). The wind is cross-off in the morning, keeping it clean, but that’s getting solid for intermediate surfers. By the afternoon, the wind turns cross and it gets messy again.
Now, the standout window. Monday morning, the 27th of July. This is the one to circle. The wind goes offshore – true offshore from the SSW – and the swell is a solid 6 ft from the W with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is 712 (moderate). The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions,” and I’m feeling it. That’s clean, lined-up waves at The Cove. The only catch is the period is 10 seconds, which is decent but not super long, so it should be wrapping nicely around the point.
The following Tuesday morning, the 28th of July, is another big one. We’re looking at 8 ft from the W with a 9-second period, and the energy is pumping at 1241 (strong). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but hold on – that’s big for the intermediate crowd. Tuesday afternoon gets even bigger, hitting 10 ft from the WNW with a 10-second period and energy at 1397 (strong). That’s expert territory. The wind is cross-off, keeping it clean, but this is a heavy, powerful reef break. Only for the crew with serious experience.
After that, it starts to drop off. Thursday the 30th has a massive 12 ft swell from the WNW, but the wind is cross-on, making it a lumpy, messy beast. Not worth it.
The very end of the run, on Saturday the 1st of August, we get a tiny window of glassy conditions. The swell is a pathetic 4 ft from the NNW with a 7-second period and weak energy (133). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd are flat and not worth suiting up for.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a total dud, and the second week has a few monstrous swells that are too big and windy for most. The true standout is Monday morning, 27th July – clean, offshore, chest-high waves with good energy. Tuesday morning, 28th July, is also clean but it’s big and powerful, so only for the experts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Fri afternoon, light winds from the W by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
178 | 192 | 170 | 233 | 517 | 589 | 330 | 280 | 202 | 214 | 382 | 521 | 961 | 929 | 1000 | 1080 | 903 | 482 | 335 | 235 | 241 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | 5:13AM3.94m | 6:01PM4.00m | 6:29AM3.92m | 7:01PM4.14m | 7:34AM4.01m | 7:51PM4.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | 11:45AM2.35m | 00:26AM2.39m | 12:46PM2.31m | 1:24AM2.19m | 1:36PM2.21m | 2:10AM1.96m | ||||||||
4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:46 | — | — | 4:48 | — | — | 4:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:50 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WNW 8 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
83 | 192 | 71 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1080 | 903 | 482 | 335 | 226 | 241 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | W 10 | N 9 | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | N 10 | NNW 9 |
2 | 33 | 23 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 84 | 260 | 235 | 110 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 |
178 | — | 170 | 233 | 517 | 589 | 330 | 280 | 202 | 214 | 382 | 521 | 961 | 929 | 1000 | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 265 | 601 | 363 | 830 | 954 | 418 | 332 | 447 | 36 | 422 | 759 | 412 | 759 | 678 | 34 | 28 | 183 | 87 | 35 | 63 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Cove Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Cove provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Cove can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Cove 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 (The Cove) 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 The Cove 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Scotland - North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near The Cove, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 7 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Scotland - North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wick which is 39 km (24 miles) away and Kirkwall, 56 km (35 miles) away.










