Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, W swell with 505 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s be real — this 16-day stretch is a bust for The Cove. It’s a reef break that likes a north-west swell, but the wind and waves just won’t play along. Water temp is about normal for the season.
From Thursday the 27th through the end of August, it’s flat and ugly. Swell stays under 1ft in many cases, with cross-off and cross-on winds. The wave energy is weak, mostly in the 18 to 269 range — nothing doing.
On Monday the 31st in the morning, we get a small 3ft north swell with a 7-second period and a light south offshore wind. It’s clean, but puny — energy is only 93. That’s a 1 out of 10, so barely worth a look.
Then there’s a gap until Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning has a 7ft west swell, but the period is just 6 seconds — short and weak. The offshore wind is there, and it’s clean, with 395 energy, but it’s marginal.
The best shot is Friday the 4th of September. Both sessions bring a 7ft to 8ft west swell with a 12-second period — that’s real groundswell. Energy is strong, 1358 to 1692. The wind is cross-off from the southwest, keeping it clean. That’s expert-only stuff, especially with the morning size over 8ft. The long period might make it a bit fat at the reef, but it’s the only highlight.
After that, it’s back to poor, lumpy conditions. Nothing else to get excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Thu night, fresh winds from the NW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 67 | 57 | 35 | 11 | 41 | 77 | 205 | 269 | 124 | 150 | 124 | 80 | 70 | 58 | 42 | 366 | 413 | 269 | 105 | 42 | 30 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | N 10 |
| kJ | 67 | 57 | 35 | 11 | 29 | 76 | 24 | 11 | 124 | 150 | 124 | 80 | 70 | 58 | 42 | 29 | 27 | 16 | 105 | 42 | 30 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | ESE 7 | W 7 | W 7 | — | — | NNE 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 4 | — | — | 84 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 30 | — | — | — | 85 | 33 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 6 | — | N 8 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | W 11 | W 8 | W 11 | W 11 | E 6 | — | — | — | N 12 | N 11 | SSE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 9 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ENE 3 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | WSW 5 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | — | SSE 3 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 6 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 41 | 77 | 205 | 269 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 56 | 366 | 413 | 269 | — | 6 | 24 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 17 | 478 | 171 | 186 | 223 | 176 | 87 | 183 | 87 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 21 | 36 | 484 | 63 | 0 | 9 | 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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