Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, W swell with 6,596 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with WNW 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 (Sep 06) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. The Cove is our only real option here, and it’s a proper reef setup that loves a good NW groundswell. It’s fairly consistent, so when it’s on, it’s on.
The opening weekend is a write-off, to be honest. Saturday the 5th has a solid 8ft swell from the WNW, but a howling 22 mph cross-wind is going to make it a lumpy, choppy mess. Not worth paddling out. Sunday the 6th is tiny and clean, but it’s just not doing anything.
The first real glimmer of hope comes Monday afternoon, the 7th. The wind swings offshore from the SSW at 19 mph, and the swell jumps to 8ft from the W with a long 13-second period. The energy is strong (1710), and it’s clean. This is a proper groundswell, and at a reef like The Cove, that’s a beautiful thing. It’s a bit big for beginners, but for intermediates it’s the best we’ve seen so far.
From Tuesday the 8th through to the middle of the month, the wind is a nightmare. Swell sizes get big—up to 13ft on Monday the 14th—but near-gale force cross and cross-onshore winds ruin every single one. The energy readings are off the charts, but it’s all just blown-out chaos. This stretch is for kite surfers, not paddle surfers.
Then we get to the real standout. Mark your calendars for Thursday the 17th. The whole day is a dream. Thursday afternoon is the absolute pick: a 15ft WNW swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is glassy—just dead calm. The combined energy is a massive 5477, and the conditions are described as exceptional. This is a heavy, powerful wave though. At over 8ft, this is strictly for experts only. The Cove will be firing, but you need to know what you’re doing.
Friday the 18th is almost as good, with 13ft and 12ft waves and glassy, clean conditions through the afternoon. The weekend of the 19th and 20th remains excellent, with 8ft to 12ft clean WNW swell and gentle offshore winds. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about normal for this time of year, so a 4/3 wetsuit is the call.
In short, the first week and a half is a frustrating mix of too much wind or not enough swell. But that second week, from the 17th onwards, is the real deal. The Cove is going to be pumping, and the conditions will be as good as it gets. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it looks promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun night, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sat night, strong winds from the WSW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the S by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 8 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 6 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1243 | 516 | 117 | 66 | 432 | 212 | 1703 | 5581 | 2426 | 2090 | 2229 | 652 | 302 | 107 | 54 | 39 | 159 | 235 | 170 | 510 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:29AM4.01m | 5:06PM4.09m | 6:11AM4.14m | 6:28PM4.33m | 7:23AM4.42m | 7:29PM4.65m | 8:16AM4.69m | 8:17PM4.95m | 9:00AM4.89m | 9:00PM5.19m | 9:38AM5.00m | 9:38PM5.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:04PM2.29m | 10:53AM2.41m | 11:44PM2.10m | 12:19PM2.25m | 00:56AM1.73m | 1:20PM1.99m | 1:50AM1.36m | 2:08PM1.71m | 2:35AM1.05m | 2:50PM1.49m | 3:16AM0.87m | 3:29PM1.34m | 3:55AM0.82m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 8:05 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:46 | — |
mm | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SE 7 | W 8 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | WNW 11 | — | W 9 | N 7 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 9 | W 10 | N 6 | N 10 |
| kJ | — | 516 | 117 | 66 | 18 | 212 | 1703 | 5581 | 2426 | 2090 | — | 207 | 146 | 107 | 54 | 39 | 159 | 33 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNE 8 | W 11 | NNE 8 | — | — | SE 7 | — | — | — | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 23 | 78 | 28 | 24 | 89 | 6 | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | 51 | 25 | 11 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 7 | NNE 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 7 | E 6 | W 12 | ESE 4 | N 6 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 5 | 37 | 36 | 2 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | — | SE 4 | SSE 4 | W 10 | SW 4 | — | — | S 5 | — | NW 10 | NNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | W 8 | W 6 | W 8 |
| kJ | 1243 | — | 16 | 8 | 432 | 17 | — | — | 52 | — | 2229 | 652 | 302 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 235 | 170 | 510 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 388 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 593 | 368 | 678 | 759 | 621 | 739 | 531 | 813 | 63 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 28 | 759 | 531 |
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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