Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with 2,613 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s 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 (Aug 06) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here with the imperial take.
We’re looking at a slow start, but there’s a proper pulse heading our way. The early part of the week is a tough slog, but there’s a window worth circling.
The first real chance comes Monday the 3rd of August, but it’s not much to write home about. The Cove has a 4ft north swell with a short 9 second period, and a cross-shore wind from the ENE at 12 mph. The combined energy is moderate at 263, but the conditions are poor. Water temp is 56°, right on average for the season.
Tuesday the 4th is smaller—3ft dropping to 2ft—with a cross-off wind but rain and a fresh breeze. Not worth it. Wednesday the 5th gets a bump to 7ft, but it’s short period (6 seconds) and cross-on, so it’ll be lumpy and messy. Thursday the 6th is a washout.
Friday the 7th shows a little life. The morning is tiny, but by Friday afternoon The Cove gets a 4ft west swell at 10 seconds, with a cross-off wind from the SW at 16 mph. Energy is moderate at 235, and it’s clean. Only marginal, but it’s a sign.
Saturday the 8th of August is the first standout. The Cove gets a 6ft west swell with a 9 second period, and the wind is cross-off from the WSW at 12 mph. The combined energy is a solid 570—moderate to strong—and the morning is clean. The swell direction (W) is a good match for the optimum NW. Crowds can be *sometimes* an issue, but the quality should be worth it for intermediate surfers.
Sunday the 9th sees the swell jump to 13ft by afternoon, but the wind is a messy cross-shore at 19 mph, creating lumpy chop. Expert-only, and not great conditions even then. Energy is extreme at 2625.
Monday the 10th of August is another strong bet. The morning brings a 8ft NW swell with an 8 second period, and the wind is light and cross-off from the SW at 6 mph. Energy is strong at 815, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” The direction is spot-on for The Cove. This is the best of the run—clean, solid, and punchy. Afternoon fades, so get in early.
The second week drops off. From Tuesday the 11th through Thursday the 14th, we’re looking at tiny waves—3ft down to 0.7ft—with some glassy moments but no real energy. A long gap of poor surf.
Things perk up again on Saturday the 15th of August. The morning brings a 4ft west swell at 9 seconds, with a clean offshore wind from the SSW at 12 mph. Energy is moderate at 215, and it’s looking good. The afternoon gets blown out, so morning is the move.
Sunday the 16th has size (6ft) but a strong breeze at 25 mph makes it messy. Monday the 17th holds 6ft with a 10 second period and cross-off wind, but it’s only marginal. The rest fades out.
The two true standouts are Saturday the 8th of August (morning) and Monday the 10th of August (morning). Both at The Cove, both with clean wind and solid west-to-northwest swell. Get in early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Mon morning, strong winds from the ESE by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 230 | 215 | 136 | 107 | 63 | 87 | 326 | 307 | 168 | 150 | 84 | 30 | 48 | 216 | 476 | 554 | 299 | 507 | 1074 | 2613 | 1306 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:20PM4.52m | 00:23AM4.81m | 12:59PM4.42m | 1:04AM4.67m | 1:46PM4.29m | 1:55AM4.48m | 2:44PM4.17m | 3:01AM4.28m | 3:55PM4.11m | 4:23AM4.15m | 5:15PM4.16m | 5:55AM4.19m | 6:32PM4.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:19PM1.78m | 6:50AM1.50m | 6:59PM1.93m | 7:34AM1.68m | 7:47PM2.10m | 8:27AM1.89m | 8:50PM2.27m | 9:36AM2.09m | 10:15PM2.33m | 11:01AM2.17m | 11:47PM2.18m | 12:22PM2.08m | 1:01AM1.85m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:07 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:28 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:17 |
mm | — | 1 | — | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 9 | W 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — |
| kJ | 230 | 215 | 136 | 107 | 63 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 30 | 48 | 216 | 476 | 8 | 299 | 13 | 12 | 12 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 9 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | W 10 | WSW 5 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 26 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 1 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNW 11 | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 15 | 10 | 11 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | — | SSW 2 | S 3 | S 3 | W 9 | — | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 4 | 26 | 108 | 87 | 326 | 307 | 168 | 150 | 84 | — | 1 | 2 | 7 | 554 | — | 507 | 1074 | 2613 | 1306 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 9 | 9 | 417 | 170 | 104 | 132 | 186 | 183 | 63 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 816 | 176 | 412 | 34 | 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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