Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, WNW swell with 258 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period with WNW 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 0.9m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 14th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down what's coming up in feet and knots.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the first week is a bit of a write-off. We've got a little bump of swell around 2ft from the WNW on Monday the 13th, but with a short 8-second period and cross-off winds, it's just not doing it for me. The wave energy is weak (60), and the conditions are ordinary. The water temp is sitting at 55.4°, which is about normal for this time of year.
Things start to look a little more hopeful on Tuesday the 14th. The morning shows a cleaner 3ft swell from the WNW with a 10-second period, which gives it a bit more shape. The combined energy bumps up to moderate (246), and the wind is a light cross-off. It's surfable, but honestly, it's still pretty average. The afternoon drops off a little. After that, we're looking at a real dry spell. From Wednesday the 15th right through to Saturday the 26th, the conditions are just poor – lumpy, choppy, or just plain messy. There's a stretch there of about 10 days where the call is basically "don't bother."
Now, here's where it gets interesting. Mark your calendars for Sunday the 26th of July. That morning, The Cove is looking like the standout. We've got a solid 5ft swell rolling in from the W, with an 8-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the SE, which should keep the surface clean. The wave energy is moderate (396). It's a reef break, exposed to the swell, and it's fairly consistent. It's an intermediate wave, so you'll want some experience under your belt. The water temp is still around 55.4°, which is normal for the season. The crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so if you can get out early, you'll have the best of it.
The rest of the second week is a mixed bag. Monday the 27th gets a bit bigger with 5ft to 5.5ft, but the wind goes strong and cross-off, which will likely mess it up. Tuesday the 28th has a smaller, clean 3.5ft in the morning, but it's just ordinary again.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a dud. The real window is that Sunday morning, the 26th. It's not a massive swell, but with the right wind, The Cove should deliver some clean, fun waves. Get on it.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 51 | 45 | 65 | 132 | 242 | 125 | 64 | 39 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 142 | 141 | 132 | 80 | 75 | 44 | 59 | 76 | 64 | 61 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:36PM4.92m | 9:14AM4.82m | 9:27PM5.10m | 10:07AM4.91m | 10:14PM5.21m | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:27PM1.53m | 2:58AM1.22m | 3:16PM1.44m | 3:47AM0.99m | 4:03PM1.40m | 4:34AM0.87m | 4:47PM1.44m | 5:20AM0.88m | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — | 4:28 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:13 | — | — | 10:12 | — | — | 10:09 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 51 | 45 | 65 | 132 | 242 | 125 | 64 | 39 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 142 | 141 | 132 | 80 | 75 | 44 | 3 | 31 | 26 | 40 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 7 | W 14 | W 12 | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | — | E 5 | — | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | NW 8 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 15 | 106 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 21 | W 15 | E 7 | W 19 | — | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | N 10 | N 8 | N 7 | W 14 | W 9 | E 6 | W 8 |
| kJ | 9 | 4 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 6 | E 2 | ESE 2 | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 4 | — | NW 3 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | — | 2 | 59 | 76 | 64 | 61 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 170 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 17 | 17 | 183 | 183 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 21 | 176 | 110 | 63 | 186 | 298 | 21 |
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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