Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, W swell with 1,092 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 2.4m 10s 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 9s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about this in feet and miles per hour. We’re looking at The Cove, and it’s a bit of a patience test. The first week is mostly a washout with a lot of onshore wind making a mess of things. The water is about 56°F, which is normal for the season, so no drama there.
From Friday the 17th through the next week, it’s all cross-onshore and choppy. The swell is around, but it’s not clean. Swell heights are mostly 3 ft to 4 ft, with the energy being weak to moderate (in the low hundreds). A big jump on Tuesday the 21st hits 6 ft from the WNW, but with a 25 mph wind going cross-shore, it’s just messy. It’s a lot of wind and no quality.
The only real standout is way down the line. On Monday the 27th of July, we get a change. The wind turns offshore from the S at 6 mph, and we get a clean 5 ft groundswell from the W with a 10-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and the energy is a solid 418. The Cove is a reef, so that long-period swell will wrap in well, giving you clean, lined-up waves. The spot is fairly consistent, so you’ll get some, but be aware crowds are possible. This is the best on offer, no question.
The afternoon of the 27th sees the swell at 5 ft, but the wind turns light cross-onshore, making it less perfect. After that, it’s back to choppy, messy wind for the rest of the week. The last few days of July and into August show solid size—7 ft to 10 ft on the 31st and 1st August—but it’s all cross-shore or cross-onshore wind, making it a struggle. That size is for experts only, and with the wind, it’s not great for anyone.
So, the first week is a dud. Your only real window is Monday the 27th of July, with that clean offshore wind and a decent groundswell. That’s the one to chase.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 108 | 197 | 136 | 121 | 111 | 81 | 102 | 60 | 142 | 114 | 146 | 297 | 355 | 470 | 393 | 355 | 138 | 60 | 120 | 173 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | N 8 | NW 8 | ENE 9 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | W 9 | — | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 6 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 108 | 1 | 136 | 8 | 36 | 16 | 10 | 43 | 57 | 51 | 75 | 12 | 12 | 44 | — | — | 138 | 60 | 12 | 173 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | E 6 | NE 7 | N 7 | NE 8 | W 9 | WNW 12 | W 8 | N 6 | N 6 | N 8 | — | — | N 8 | — | — | N 7 | N 7 | E 9 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 27 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 12 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 56 | 31 | 2 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 6 | N 7 | — | W 14 | WNW 12 | NE 9 | N 6 | E 8 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | NE 9 | W 13 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 31 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | WNW 9 | — | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | W 4 | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 7 | 197 | — | 121 | 111 | 81 | 102 | 60 | 142 | 114 | 146 | 297 | 355 | 470 | 393 | 355 | — | 11 | 120 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 63 | 87 | 183 | 35 | 63 | 186 | 63 | 63 | 424 | 186 | 354 | 1106 | 63 | 87 | 87 | 63 | 63 | 104 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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