The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for The Cove over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the first week is a write-off. The Cove is a quality reef set-up, but for the first several days the wind is just a mess. We’ve got strong cross-shore breezes and choppy, messy conditions that won’t do this place any favours. The water temp is sitting around 55°, which is about average for the time of year, so nothing to write home about there.

The first glimmer of hope comes on Thursday morning, the 23rd of July. The wind swings to a cross-offshore, cleaning things up, but the swell is only 5 ft from the WNW with a short period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (221). It’s tagged as marginal, so it’s a maybe if you’re desperate.

Friday the 24th sees the swell bump up to 8 ft from the W with a period of 9 seconds, and the energy gets serious – 962 (moderate). The wind is cross-off in the morning, keeping it clean, but that’s getting solid for intermediate surfers. By the afternoon, the wind turns cross and it gets messy again.

Now, the standout window. Monday morning, the 27th of July. This is the one to circle. The wind goes offshore – true offshore from the SSW – and the swell is a solid 6 ft from the W with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is 712 (moderate). The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions,” and I’m feeling it. That’s clean, lined-up waves at The Cove. The only catch is the period is 10 seconds, which is decent but not super long, so it should be wrapping nicely around the point.

The following Tuesday morning, the 28th of July, is another big one. We’re looking at 8 ft from the W with a 9-second period, and the energy is pumping at 1241 (strong). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but hold on – that’s big for the intermediate crowd. Tuesday afternoon gets even bigger, hitting 10 ft from the WNW with a 10-second period and energy at 1397 (strong). That’s expert territory. The wind is cross-off, keeping it clean, but this is a heavy, powerful reef break. Only for the crew with serious experience.

After that, it starts to drop off. Thursday the 30th has a massive 12 ft swell from the WNW, but the wind is cross-on, making it a lumpy, messy beast. Not worth it.

The very end of the run, on Saturday the 1st of August, we get a tiny window of glassy conditions. The swell is a pathetic 4 ft from the NNW with a 7-second period and weak energy (133). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd are flat and not worth suiting up for.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a total dud, and the second week has a few monstrous swells that are too big and windy for most. The true standout is Monday morning, 27th July – clean, offshore, chest-high waves with good energy. Tuesday morning, 28th July, is also clean but it’s big and powerful, so only for the experts.

Rusty.

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