The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at this. The only break on the menu for the whole 16-day span is The Cove, a reef setup exposed to the west. It’s a fairly consistent spot, marked for intermediates, but it’s going to be a real mixed bag. There’s a rough start with no real surf to get excited about for the first couple of days.

Friday the 3rd kicks things off with some OK sized swell but the wind is a problem. You’re looking at 6ft of west swell at 9 seconds, coming from the W, but with a 22 mph cross-off wind from the WSW. The combined energy is moderate at best (528). It’s clean enough but the conditions are marginal. That afternoon the swell jumps to 7ft (811), still a fresh breeze ruining any real quality. Not worth getting wet unless you’re desperate.

Saturday the 4th morning is a real bright spot though. The swell drops a touch to 6ft from the WNW at 10 seconds, combined energy at 574, but the wind swings to a light 3 mph ESE, making for a clean, cross-off breeze. This is the standout of the whole forecast. It’s going to be clean, fun-sized, and the reef should handle that long-period groundswell nicely. Expect some proper waves. The water temp is running about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Just a heads up – The Cove gets crowded sometimes, so if you’re keen, get there early. Saturday afternoon turns to rubbish though, with a 16 mph cross wind and a lumpy sea.

Sunday the 5th morning is a write-off – same cross wind, drops to 4ft, and the score is zero. But the afternoon is interesting. The wind goes glassy from the NW at just 3 mph, and with 4ft of west swell at 9 seconds, it’s small but clean. Combined energy is weak (190), but for a glassy session on a reef, you could still have a laugh.

Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th are generally poor. Small, weak swells under 4ft, short periods of 5-8 seconds, and mostly onshore or light cross winds. Tuesday morning does get glassy again with 2ft swell (111), but it’s tiny.

Wednesday the 8th is a big no. The swell bumps up to 7ft from the W at 7 seconds (526), but with a 19 mph cross wind, it’s just a choppy mess. That size at that period is messy and lumpy, not for paddling. Probably more fun for a kite.

Thursday the 9th morning is another little highlight. Light offshore from the SSE at 3 mph, 4ft west swell at 9 seconds, combined energy at 303. Clean lines, clean face. Conditions are good but the crowds might be on it. Afternoon is ordinary.

From Friday the 10th through Sunday the 12th, it’s small. Swell hovers around 4ft to 3ft, periods around 8-10 seconds, energy dropping into the double digits. The winds are mostly light or glassy though, so if you want a mellow, longboard session, Saturday the 11th morning is glassy again with 4ft at 10 seconds (239). Worth a paddle. Sunday the 12th morning is dead flat with 3ft and 97 energy.

The 13th and 14th of July bring back some size. Monday the 13th has 5ft west swell at 11 seconds, combined energy jumping to 508 and 573 for the morning and afternoon. That’s proper groundswell. But the wind stays cross-off from the SE at 12-19 mph, which will keep the reef clean. This could be a decent session if you don’t mind the breeze – the wave quality is there. Tuesday the 14th is similar but a touch smaller.

The last few days, from the 15th to the 18th, fade away. Small, weak, mostly poor conditions. The one last flicker is Saturday the 18th morning – 4ft from the north at 10 seconds with a light 6 mph offshore from the south. Clean, good conditions, but it’s a week and a half out, so not a sure thing.

Overall, your best bets are Saturday the 4th morning for the best combo of clean wind and solid swell, and Thursday the 9th morning for a nice clean window. The long range window around the 13th also has potential but it’s less certain. The Cove is a consistent reef, so even when it’s poor, it tends to bounce back. Keep an eye on the forecasts.

Rusty

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