The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.8° 

The Cove surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Cove surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, WNW swell with 5,969 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf10AM (Sat 12th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 12th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.

Alright, so, we've got a bit of a mixed bag on the way. The swell is coming in from the W and WNW, which is a good direction for The Cove, but the wind is all over the place, especially in the early days. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first few days are a real write-off, to be honest. Monday morning the 7th, we've got a 6ft W swell at 9 seconds, but it's being hammered by a 19 mph cross-offshore wind. The wave energy is moderate (470), but the conditions are just poor. The swell jumps up to 8ft on Monday afternoon with a longer 11-second period, and the energy gets a bit more serious (1491), but the wind picks up to 22 mph and it's still cross-off, so it's messy. Tuesday the 8th is a nightmare with rain showers and an 12ft swell that's too big for most, with a cross-shore wind that's got a bad chop on it. Wednesday the 9th is flat and weak. We're looking at a gap of a few days of really ordinary surf.

Thursday the 10th is where things start to turn. The morning is small, only 4ft, but the wind swings offshore from the SSE at 16 mph. The energy is still low (161), but the conditions are clean. The afternoon gets better with a 4ft W swell at 9 seconds and a clean offshore wind. The energy is picking up a bit (266) and the word is "good surf conditions". This isn't a standout, but it's a sign of life.

Now, hold onto your board. Saturday the 12th is the real deal. The morning has a massive 13ft WNW groundswell with a 13-second period. The wave energy is pumping at 5202, and we've got a clean offshore wind from the S at 12 mph. This is exceptional surf, but it's only for experts. It's a big, powerful, long-period groundswell, so it's going to be breaking a bit straight at a beach break. At The Cove, which is a reef, it's going to be a show. The afternoon stays solid at 12ft, still with offshore wind, and excellent for experienced surfers. This is the highlight of the whole outlook. The wind is perfect, the swell is big and clean.

Sunday the 13th through to Wednesday the 16th is a bit of a write-off again with onshore winds and ugly conditions. The 14th (Monday) has a small 4ft swell with a clean offshore wind, but it's not big enough to get excited about.

Then we look at the long-range. The weekend of the 20th and 21st is looking promising. On Sunday the 20th, we've got an 12ft WNW swell at 13 seconds, with a fresh offshore wind from the SSE. The energy is huge (4007). It's a bit far out to bank on, but the signs are good for another big, clean session for the experienced crew. The next morning, Monday the 21st, has a small 5ft swell but it's onshore, so it'll be a different story.

So, the standout is without a doubt Saturday the 12th of September at The Cove. That 13ft WNW groundswell with clean offshore winds is the one to circle. After that, the long-range Sunday the 20th is a promising second option, but it's a long way off.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Tue morning, light winds from the S by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
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
2
2
2
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
0
0
0
4
6
5
3
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)
1.7
W
9
2.5
W
11
3.5
W
13
3.5
W
11
3
WNW
10
3
NW
10
1.6
WNW
9
1.3
W
9
0.8
N
8
1.1
W
7
1.3
W
9
1.3
W
9
1.9
W
10
2.1
W
10
4
WNW
14
4
WNW
13
3.5
WNW
13
2.5
WNW
12
2
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
11
1.2
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
442
1485
4122
3377
1851
1520
371
264
76
131
257
293
708
830
5793
5195
3606
1765
942
619
282
Wind (km/h)
30
SW
35
SW
45
SSW
25
W
40
NNW
40
NW
25
W
25
W
15
S
25
SSE
20
S
25
SW
35
WSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
20
S
20
SSE
20
SW
25
NW
20
WNW
20
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
off
High Tide
6:28PM4.33m
7:23AM4.42m
7:29PM4.65m
8:16AM4.69m
8:17PM4.95m
9:00AM4.89m
9:00PM5.19m
9:38AM5.00m
9:38PM5.31m
10:12AM5.01m
10:14PM5.32m
10:45AM4.94m
10:49PM5.21m
Low Tide
12:19PM2.25m
00:56AM1.73m
1:20PM1.99m
1:50AM1.36m
2:08PM1.71m
2:35AM1.05m
2:50PM1.49m
3:16AM0.87m
3:29PM1.34m
3:55AM0.82m
4:05PM1.28m
4:31AM0.90m
4:40PM1.32m
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:26
6:28
6:31
6:33
6:35
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:59
7:55
7:52
7:50
7:46
7:44
7:40
 mm
1
3
2
1
2
1
Temp °C
15
15
12
13
13
11
13
14
12
15
17
14
14
14
13
13
14
14
12
12
12
Feels °C
7
8
3
8
5
2
8
9
8
10
13
10
6
6
6
9
10
10
7
8
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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