The Cove surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Saturday 23 May 2026 BST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Cove surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Cove sea temperature is
9.2° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (May 24) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 26) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (May 29) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Sun 24th May)4ft (1.2m) 10s
Best Surf 4AM (Mon 25th May)5ft (1.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 4AM (Tue 26th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon night, calm by Tue night).

Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
Friday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
2
1
4
0
1
1
0
3
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.3
WSW
10
1.2
W
8
1.2
W
10
1
W
10
0.5
W
16
1.8
W
13
1.4
W
13
3
W
11
3
WNW
12
2.3
WNW
11
1.4
W
11
1
W
10
0.8
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.1
W
16
3
W
8
1.2
N
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1
21
182
284
192
129
1124
643
2146
2053
1256
434
200
123
90
40
38
20
5
892
177
Wind (km/h)
30
WSW
30
WSW
25
SW
15
WSW
5
SW
20
WSW
10
SW
40
WSW
40
W
35
WNW
20
WNW
10
SSE
10
ESE
10
ENE
10
S
10
SE
25
NW
15
WSW
25
WSW
20
WNW
10
SSE
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
3:29PM4.18m
3:24AM4.38m
4:42PM4.15m
4:34AM4.36m
5:46PM4.20m
5:39AM4.39m
6:40PM4.29m
6:36AM4.45m
7:25PM4.40m
7:25AM4.50m
8:02PM4.50m
8:09AM4.52m
8:36PM4.60m
Low Tide
8:45AM1.70m
9:09PM2.45m
10:02AM1.79m
10:28PM2.48m
11:14AM1.77m
11:38PM2.38m
12:13PM1.72m
00:35AM2.21m
1:02PM1.67m
1:22AM2.03m
1:43PM1.64m
2:04AM1.86m
2:21PM1.63m
2:42AM1.73m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:31
4:28
4:28
4:26
4:24
4:22
4:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:52
9:53
9:55
9:58
9:59
10:00
10:02
2
2
3
Temp °C
15
16
13
13
15
15
14
15
11
10
10
9
17
19
18
23
17
17
15
14
12
8
10
8
10
14
9
12
7
4
3
5
7
15
17
17
21
13
15
11
9
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
6
0.3
WSW
10
1.2
W
8
0.1
SE
6
1
W
10
0.6
W
10
1.8
W
13
1.4
W
13
2.3
WNW
11
1.4
W
11
1
W
10
0.8
W
10
0.7
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.1
N
6
1.2
N
8
Energy kJ
1
21
182
1
192
68
1124
643
1256
434
200
123
90
40
38
20
1
177
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.1
SE
6
0.1
SE
6
0.6
W
10
0.5
W
16
1.1
NW
9
0.8
NW
8
0.7
NW
7
0.4
NW
7
0.3
N
6
0.2
ESE
3
0.2
N
7
0.1
N
8
1.2
WNW
8
Energy kJ
1
1
2
73
129
202
78
54
15
7
1
4
1
173
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
5
0.2
N
8
0.3
N
7
0.3
NW
6
0.3
N
6
0.1
NW
10
0.1
W
16
0.3
W
15
Energy kJ
1
5
9
6
7
4
5
40
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
W
5
1.3
W
6
1.2
W
10
1
W
7
1.6
W
6
3
W
11
3
WNW
12
0.3
E
2
0.3
SE
3
0.5
W
4
1.6
W
6
3
W
8
Energy kJ
78
114
284
89
188
2146
2053
1
1
10
158
892
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
1
4
1
3
4
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
Distance (km)
186
345
7
10
0
7
0
389
287
286
35
0
0
9
0
0
51
453
278
35
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
8
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
7
8
6
6
7
5
5
9
9
9
7
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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