The Cove surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 18 Dec 2025 GMT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Cove surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Cove sea temperature is
10.3° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove this week:

The surf forecast for The Cove over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 20) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 12 days are 4.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 19) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 8s period and expected on Monday (Dec 22) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (GMT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 20th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 20th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 19th Dec)15ft (4.5m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun night, min 6°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Mon morning, light winds from the E by Wed afternoon).

Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thu
25
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
!
6
0
5
3
3
1
4
4
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
5
W
4
W
4.5
W
3.5
W
2.4
W
1.8
W
1.5
W
3
W
3.5
WNW
2.5
W
1.7
W
1.3
W
0.9
W
0.7
W
0.8
WNW
1.1
W
1.1
W
1.1
W
0.9
W
0.7
W
0.7
W
Period(s) (?)181615141312121716151312111115131213121111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1504482399746568119229026785242538627171034513198110256434371414228119116
Wind
(km/h)
25
SW
40
SW
55
WSW
25
SW
20
SSE
25
SSE
30
SE
30
SE
25
ESE
30
ESE
40
ESE
40
ESE
40
ESE
35
ESE
35
ESE
30
ESE
20
ESE
10
E
5
ENE
5
NE
15
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:00AM
4.64
8:21PM
4.41
8:33AM
4.71
8:58PM
4.42
9:06AM
4.75
9:34PM
4.42
9:39AM
4.75
10:11PM
4.40
10:13AM
4.71
10:49PM
4.35
10:49AM
4.66
11:30PM
4.29
11:29AM
4.59
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:48AM
1.78
2:15PM
1.68
2:22AM
1.76
2:50PM
1.59
2:57AM
1.76
3:25PM
1.54
3:32AM
1.79
4:01PM
1.54
4:07AM
1.85
4:37PM
1.56
4:44AM
1.93
5:16PM
1.61
5:24AM
2.03
5:59PM
1.68
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thu
25
Sunrise-9:02--9:03--9:03--9:03--9:03--9:04--9:04-
Sunset--3:19--3:19--3:21--3:21--3:22--3:22--3:22
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
3-2------3-----------
Temp. °C889877888999888776767
Feels °C (?)0-1-3-121122301-101-122543
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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.

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