Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,064 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 2.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at The Cove’s 16-day forecast. This reef break points west-north-west and it’s fairly reliable. Water temp’s about average for the season, nothing crazy.
First up, Sunday the 23rd is a total dud. You’ve got a weak 3ft west-north-west swell, a messy cross-shore blowin’ 20 km/h, and the energy’s only 144. It’s just poor. Don’t bother.
Now, Monday the 24th of August? That’s the call. Morning’s glassy with a light south-easterly offshore breeze, and the swell’s a clean 7ft from the west-north-west, period at 11 seconds. Energy hits 942 – that’s a proper reef wave. Afternoon stays clean but drops off a little.
After that, it goes flat. From Tuesday the 25th through the end of August, the swell is small – mostly under 3ft – and the energy’s weak. Some mornings look clean, but the ocean’s just not got any push.
We get a pulse on Tuesday the 1st of September: 6ft from the west, but it’s blown out by a 25 km/h cross-shore. Wednesday the 2nd morning is clean with an offshore south wind and a 5ft west swell, but it’s only moderate energy. It’s okay, but not the one.
Then, look out for Sunday the 6th of September. That’s the standout. Morning brings a 8ft west swell with a long 12-second period, a light offshore south-south-easterly wind, and the energy is a massive 1656. That’s a heavy, powerful, clean reef. This one’s for experts only. Afternoon holds at 7ft, still offshore. Crowds are possible, so get out early.
Monday the 7th it’s going back to junk with a strong onshore wind.
So the two highlights: Monday the 24th of August for a great clean day, and Sunday the 6th of September for the serious power.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SE by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NE 4 | N 6 | N 7 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 96 | 113 | 480 | 942 | 778 | 476 | 317 | 140 | 69 | 35 | 23 | 19 | 70 | 59 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 21 | 58 | 121 | 86 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | 10:13AM4.81m | 10:16PM5.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 4:11PM1.43m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 13 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | N 6 | N 7 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 21 | 113 | 480 | 942 | 778 | 476 | 317 | 140 | 69 | 35 | 23 | 19 | 70 | 59 | 30 | 69 | 46 | 42 | 58 | 121 | 86 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | — | — | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | — | WSW 9 | W 8 | WNW 7 | N 8 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 7 | E 8 | E 8 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 26 | 11 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 15 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 47 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 9 | W 8 | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | — | — | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 3 | — | ENE 3 | NE 4 | — | — | E 7 |
| kJ | 96 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 18 | 1 | — | 4 | 21 | — | — | 22 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 21 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 170 | 198 | 65 | 34 | 354 | 309 | 239 | 176 | 16 | 9 | 0 |
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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