The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what The Cove is offering.

The next two weeks are a mixed bag, with a lot of onshore wind and chop making things tricky. The standout day is Monday the 27th of July, when the stars finally align for a proper session. The wind swings offshore on the afternoon, the swell sits at 8ft from the WNW with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping hard at 1341. That’s a solid, powerful groundswell and the clean conditions will make it a joy for experienced surfers. The Cove is a reef break, so that long-period energy will hold up nicely. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Leading up to that, it’s a bit of a grind. From Wednesday the 22nd through to Saturday morning the 25th, it’s cross-shore and cross-onshore winds with moderate to fresh breezes, and the surf is poor – choppy and messy. The swell is around 5ft to 7ft, but the wind just ruins it. The energy is moderate (390 to 880), but not worth the paddle.

Sunday the 26th is still lumpy, with fresh cross-shore winds and a 5ft to 8ft swell. Not inviting.

Then Monday the 27th hits. The morning is still a bit bumpy with a gentle cross-shore and 8ft swell (energy 1548), but by the afternoon the wind goes light from the SSE, conditions turn clean, and the swell holds at 8ft with 10-second periods. The energy is 1341 – that’s proper. This is the best on offer, no question.

After that, the quality drops off again. Tuesday the 28th has clean conditions but the wind is fresh and the swell is 7ft to 8ft – the energy is decent (886 to 985) but the score is low. From Wednesday the 29th into early August, the swell drops away to under 4ft, and the energy falls to between 133 and 303. It’s not surfable.

There’s a gap of about four days with no real options. Then on Saturday the 1st of August, a tiny 3ft north swell with offshore wind gives a clean but very ordinary wave. Energy is only 95. It’s a weak dribble.

Sunday the 2nd of August sees a big spike: 15ft from the NNW, with 11-second periods and energy at 4294. That’s a massive northwest groundswell, but the wind is cross-shore and fresh, making it lumpy. The size is well over 8ft, so it’s strictly for experts, and the conditions are marginal. A big, powerful, but messy day.

The last little window is Tuesday the 4th of August. The morning is clean with a light breeze and a 5ft west swell (energy 327). By the afternoon, the wind goes glassy, and the swell is 5ft from the west with 8-second periods. The energy is 293. It’s a small, clean wave – good for a grovel, but not the standout.

So, to wrap it up: Monday the 27th of July afternoon is the clear winner. Get on it. The rest of the window is mostly wind-affected or small, with only a few fleeting moments of clean surf. The huge swell on the 2nd of August is for the brave and the experienced.

Take it easy,
Rusty

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