Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, NNW swell with 297 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with N 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I’m Rusty. Let’s run through the next 16 days at The Cove.
First few days are flat out no good. Tuesday the 11th through to the end of the first week offers close to nothing for a surfer. We’re looking at small short-period swells from 0.4m to 1.3m, but the wind is cross or cross-on, energy is mostly weak to moderate (between 67 and 339), and the conditions are either poor or very ordinary. The only bit of glass is Thursday morning the 13th, but with a 0.5ft, 11-second west swell you’re just getting tiny knee-high rollers.
Weekend of the 16th and 17th stays crossed up, and the next few days stay poor with onshore wind. The combined swell energy does climb into the strong range (between 386 and 788), but the chop tears it apart. That's 10 straight days with nothing really surfable.
Now for the highlight. Friday the 21st of August brings a solid 5ft west swell at 11 seconds, with light SSE offshore winds. Combined swell energy is strong at 595, and the conditions are expected to be very good. This is the standout session. Clean, well-shaped waves perfect for intermediate surfers. The swell direction lines up with what The Cove loves – northwest optimum – so the reef will hold nice long lines. Morning is the go, as the afternoon wind goes cross-off.
The Cove is a fairly consistent reef break around here, handles the long-period west swells fine. Crowds can show up sometimes, but it's worth it when it’s firing.
Water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.
So, it’s a long quiet stretch until that window on the 21st. If you’re patient, that’s your day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Thu night, fresh winds from the W by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 160 | 78 | 39 | 40 | 78 | 33 | 64 | 108 | 98 | 90 | 79 | 157 | 83 | 239 | 182 | 264 | 165 | 92 | 78 | 80 | 109 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:20AM4.63m | 8:30PM4.91m | 9:12AM4.84m | 9:16PM5.15m | 9:57AM4.97m | 9:59PM5.31m | 10:39AM4.99m | 10:40PM5.35m | 11:18AM4.92m | 11:19PM5.28m | 11:55AM4.77m | 11:57PM5.10m | 12:32PM4.57m | 00:36AM4.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:19PM1.67m | 2:49AM1.13m | 3:05PM1.49m | 3:34AM0.89m | 3:48PM1.37m | 4:17AM0.79m | 4:28PM1.34m | 4:58AM0.82m | 5:07PM1.40m | 5:37AM0.98m | 5:45PM1.53m | 6:16AM1.25m | 6:23PM1.74m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:57 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 16 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 10 | W 6 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | W 8 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 160 | 78 | 39 | 15 | 78 | 16 | 64 | 108 | 98 | 61 | 66 | 41 | 40 | 38 | 136 | 264 | 165 | 92 | 78 | 63 | 109 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 11 | N 7 | WSW 10 | W 6 | N 10 | N 9 | E 6 | W 9 | E 6 | W 8 | NW 11 | N 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | N 8 |
| kJ | 16 | 15 | 8 | 40 | 15 | 33 | 6 | 52 | 43 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 71 | 75 | 37 | 25 | 31 | 80 | 29 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | W 9 | W 8 | SE 5 | N 7 | N 8 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | SE 5 | — | W 9 | E 6 | — | — | — | W 12 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 2 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 15 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 13 | 6 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 90 | 79 | 157 | 83 | 239 | 182 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 278 | 63 | 17 | 774 | 954 | 82 | 32 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 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.
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