The Cove surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Tuesday 12 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
8.6° 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 Wednesday (May 13) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (May 19) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 13th 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 7mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue morning, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun morning, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri morning, calm by Sun night).

Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
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
3
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
2
2
2
3
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WNW
8
3.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
12
3
WNW
12
2.4
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
2.2
N
7
3
NNW
8
3
N
10
2.5
N
10
2
N
10
1.6
N
10
1.4
N
10
1.1
N
10
1.4
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.4
W
11
1.5
W
11
1.4
W
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1093
2566
2147
2746
2239
1360
433
537
1313
1802
1330
784
484
369
226
758
946
628
459
526
466
Wind (km/h)
40
WNW
40
W
10
W
15
NNW
25
N
15
N
35
N
35
NNW
40
NNW
35
NNW
30
NNW
15
NNW
10
NNW
10
N
15
SSE
20
SE
25
SE
10
SW
10
W
20
E
15
SE
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
6:12PM4.25m
6:12AM4.44m
6:59PM4.50m
7:02AM4.68m
7:42PM4.74m
7:49AM4.89m
8:24PM4.94m
8:35AM5.04m
9:06PM5.08m
9:22AM5.10m
9:48PM5.13m
10:12AM5.06m
10:33PM5.11m
Low Tide
11:55AM1.91m
00:19AM2.22m
12:46PM1.64m
1:08AM1.93m
1:31PM1.38m
1:53AM1.64m
2:15PM1.18m
2:37AM1.39m
2:58PM1.07m
3:20AM1.21m
3:41PM1.07m
4:05AM1.11m
4:26PM1.18m
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:54
4:52
4:48
4:47
4:45
4:43
4:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:29
9:30
9:32
9:35
9:37
9:39
9:42
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
8
9
7
9
9
8
8
8
7
7
7
6
7
8
6
10
10
9
10
11
10
-1
0
2
5
3
2
0
-1
-2
-2
-1
0
3
4
2
4
4
7
8
7
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
N
9
0.6
N
8
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
12
3
WNW
12
2.4
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
10
0.2
ENE
11
0.2
ENE
11
0.5
W
8
0.6
WNW
8
1.6
N
10
1.4
N
10
1.1
N
10
1.4
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.4
W
11
1.5
W
11
1.4
W
11
Energy kJ
71
47
2147
2746
2239
1360
433
248
11
12
36
49
484
369
226
758
946
628
459
526
466
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
20
0.4
N
8
0.3
NNE
7
0.2
NNE
7
0.1
NE
9
0.6
W
8
0.6
WNW
8
0.8
W
12
0.9
NNE
9
0.8
NNE
9
0.7
NNE
8
0.6
NNE
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
NNE
7
Energy kJ
7
19
10
5
3
43
45
184
135
103
72
51
32
18
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
15
0.4
WNW
14
0.5
W
8
Energy kJ
19
65
32
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WNW
8
3.5
WNW
10
1.7
N
7
2.2
N
7
3
NNW
8
3
N
10
2.5
N
10
2
N
10
0.5
E
3
Energy kJ
1093
2566
274
537
1313
1802
1330
784
6
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
4
2
3
1
1
3
1
3
1
3
2
2
2
3
4
3
2
2
2
Distance (km)
491
531
7
34
608
1106
895
531
532
531
311
87
32
16
0
9
9
0
7
16
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
3
2
3
4
3
2
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
4
2
2
2
3
4
3
2
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
6
8
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
6
5
5
4
4
7
5
5
4
  • 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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