
Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with 655 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove this week:
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gonna be a frustrating stretch ahead, so let’s get into it.
We’re looking at a solid run of poor surf conditions for The Cove for the first week and a half. The wind is relentless from the west and north-west, mostly cross or cross-onshore, keeping things choppy and messy. The swell is hanging around 3ft to 4ft from the WNW, but the combo energy is weak to moderate (134 to 216) and the short period means barely any push. You’ll be scratching your head out there from Friday the 17th right through to the end of the first week.
On Monday the 21st, the swell jumps to 6ft but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-shore, so it’s a lumpy mess. The combined energy climbs to 284, so there’s juice, but it’s not surfable. This continues into Wednesday the 23rd, with the swell dropping back and the wind still onshore or cross.
Now, the first real glimmer comes on Sunday the 26th of July. The wind swings to a light SW cross-off on the morning, with a solid 6ft swell from the west. The combined energy is 504, so moderate power, and the water is about average for the time of year. The afternoon goes light cross-onshore, but the morning is clean. It’s still marginal, but it’s a start.
The standout is Monday the 27th of July. This is the one to circle. We’ve got an 8ft swell from the WNW with a long period of 11 to 12 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is huge at 1349 to 1588, strong wave energy. The wind is light ESE, cross-off, and it’s clean. This is expert-level stuff – 8ft is too big for anyone but experienced surfers. The long period will make it a bit straight at the beach, but at The Cove, a reef setup, it’ll handle that energy well. The crowds are sometimes there, so you might have some company. This is the best on offer, no question.
After that, Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th drop back to 7ft and 4ft, but the wind turns onshore from the north, so it’s back to poor conditions. The last days of July and into August 1st see a shift – a small 6ft swell from the north, with glassy conditions on the morning of the 31st of July and the 1st of August. The combined energy is moderate (381 to 259), and the wind is slight, so it’s clean. But the period is short at 7 seconds, so it’s not going to be amazing. Still, a fun glassy session if you’re keen.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a write-off. Hang in there. Monday the 27th of July is the standout – big, powerful, clean groundswell for experts. The mornings of the 31st of July and 1st of August offer a smaller, glassy option for the patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Wed afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
125 | 108 | 197 | 133 | 104 | 84 | 111 | 82 | 131 | 149 | 134 | 336 | 271 | 342 | 375 | 330 | 232 | 138 | 118 | 49 | 232 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | ||||||||
4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:55 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | N 8 | E 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | W 9 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 6 | W 8 | WNW 7 |
125 | 108 | 1 | 1 | 104 | 84 | 16 | 10 | 43 | 59 | 75 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 43 | 330 | 232 | 138 | 11 | 42 | 232 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | E 6 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | W 9 | WNW 12 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | E 8 | N 6 | WNW 13 |
1 | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | 9 | 15 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 5 | 9 | 24 | 25 | 1 | 6 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 6 | — | — | W 14 | WNW 12 | NE 9 | NE 8 | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | NW 7 | N 6 |
— | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | NW 4 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | N 5 | N 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | — | — | — | W 8 | WNW 5 | — |
8 | 7 | 197 | 133 | 42 | 44 | 111 | 82 | 131 | 149 | 134 | 336 | 271 | 342 | 375 | — | — | — | 118 | 49 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 63 | 63 | 183 | 183 | 21 | 63 | 63 | 114 | 265 | 621 | 309 | 478 | 943 | 63 | 87 | 183 | 21 | 63 | 148 | 10 |
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.










