Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, W swell with 2,106 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming.
The Cove is a reef break that’s wide open to swell, but it’s a bumpy ride for the first stretch. The water is about 57°F, which is normal for this time of year.
The first four days, from Saturday 29 August to Tuesday 1 September, are weak. The swell is tiny, with energy under 662, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-off. The surf is poor, so don’t bother.
Things pick up a bit on Wednesday 2 September. The swell hits 8-8ft from the NNW, with a period of 10-11 seconds, and energy is moderate at 1632. The afternoon has clean cross-off wind from the east, making it a decent window for intermediates.
From Thursday 3 September to Sunday 6 September, the swell gets big – 12ft from the west – with energy over 2000. But the wind is fresh and cross-off, making it messy. At that size, it’s only for experts. The reef can handle it, but the wind is not your friend.
Then Monday 7 September and Tuesday 8 September bring another huge pulse – 10-13ft from the NW, with energy up to 3879. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s choppy and lumpy. Only for the experienced.
The standout is Wednesday 9 September. The swell drops to 8-8ft from the NNW, period around 10 seconds, and energy is still solid. The wind is light and cross-off from the ESE, with clean conditions. The afternoon is described as very good surf. This is the best session in the 16-day forecast.
After that, it tails off. Thursday 10 September is small and poor, but Friday 11 September morning has a clean 6ft swell from the west, offshore southerly wind, and moderate energy (656). That’s a nice little session.
The final weekend, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, shows a building 8ft swell from the west on Sunday, with light winds and clean conditions. Energy is moderate (928-982), and it looks very good. It’s a long way out, but worth watching.
Best surf: Wednesday 9 September afternoon. Friday 11 September morning and Sunday 13 September are also solid options.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Tue night, light winds from the NE by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNE 6 | W 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | N 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | W 11 | W 13 | W 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 54 | 135 | 135 | 89 | 55 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 294 | 62 | 648 | 1508 | 1582 | 1146 | 450 | 1874 | 1862 | 569 | 856 | 2106 | 988 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:13AM4.81m | 10:16PM5.11m | 10:42AM4.84m | 10:47PM5.13m | 11:13AM4.82m | 11:19PM5.06m | 11:47AM4.72m | 11:55PM4.92m | 12:25PM4.57m | 00:38AM4.69m | 1:11PM4.38m | 1:32AM4.40m | 2:10PM4.17m | 2:47AM4.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:11PM1.43m | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | 5:08AM1.12m | 5:17PM1.45m | 5:43AM1.23m | 5:54PM1.57m | 6:21AM1.42m | 6:34PM1.76m | 7:04AM1.70m | 7:23PM1.99m | 7:57AM2.02m | 8:29PM2.21m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  | |  | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNE 6 | W 8 | NW 7 | NNW 8 | — | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | W 11 | W 13 | W 12 |
| kJ | 37 | 135 | 135 | 89 | 55 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 294 | 62 | 14 | — | 1582 | 1146 | 450 | 179 | 186 | 130 | 856 | 2106 | 988 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 8 | E 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | N 9 | W 10 | W 7 | SE 5 | — | W 8 | W 8 | SE 5 | — | — | — | N 9 | — | N 8 |
| kJ | — | 18 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 2 | 8 | 32 | 1 | — | 50 | 33 | 11 | — | — | — | 56 | — | 58 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 6 | W 10 | — | N 12 | N 11 | W 11 | N 9 | N 6 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | — | — | E 6 | E 3 | ESE 4 | SE 3 | W 5 | — | SSE 4 | WNW 7 | NW 9 | — | — | SSW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | S 4 | N 8 | — |
| kJ | 54 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 112 | — | 25 | 648 | 1508 | — | — | 16 | 1874 | 1862 | 569 | 9 | 48 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 171 | 65 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 593 | 0 | 36 | 421 | 287 | 35 | 16 | 0 | 148 | 668 | 0 | 171 | 678 | 87 |
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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