The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.9° 

The Cove surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Cove surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with 4,595 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with W 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 11th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 12th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 17th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

The Cove is your only spot on the table for this 16-day window, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on it. It’s an exposed reef break that’s fairly consistent, best with a NW swell. The water temp? Just about average for the time of year.

The start is a bit rough. Friday 11th looks messy with a 35 km/h WSW cross-off wind and a 7ft W swell on a short 7-second period—combined energy sitting at 470, so not much grunt, and the conditions are poor. Friday afternoon settles a touch, 6ft at 9 seconds, but still just marginal.

Saturday 12th is a write-off. We’re looking at a 50 km/h wind and a big 12ft short-period swell—strong energy (3581), but it’s a washing machine for all but the most committed, and even then it’s poor.

Now, Sunday 13th morning is where we start to see a glimmer. The wind drops right back to a gentle 15 km/h cross-off, the swell drops to 6ft from the WNW with an 11-second period, and combined energy is 923. It’s clean and expect very good surf conditions. Sunday afternoon stays clean-ish but goes cross-on, so it’s not as tidy.

Monday 14th is a gem for the intermediate surfer. Morning has clean offshore winds from the south at 20 km/h, a 3ft NNW swell with a long 12-second period—440 energy—and it’s clean. Afternoon keeps the offshore theme, SSW at 15 km/h, 4ft W swell at 9 seconds, 487 energy. Both sessions have good surf conditions. This is your standout window for the first week: clean, manageable, fun waves at The Cove.

Tuesday 15th through Wednesday 16th goes flat and choppy. Cross-on winds, rain, lumpy conditions—just not worth paddling out.

Thursday 17th morning picks up a bit with a 8ft W swell, 9 seconds, 996 energy, and a cross-off breeze, but it’s only marginal. Thursday afternoon jumps to 12ft at 13 seconds, a big 4629 energy, but with a strong cross wind—lumpy, not fun.

Friday 18th and Saturday 19th mornings keep the big swell (10ft to 12ft) and strong cross-off winds. Saturday afternoon 19th sees a massive 21ft W swell at 15 seconds—combined energy 17321—which the file flags as too big for this break. Only for experts, and even then, it’s pushing limits.

Now, hold onto your board. Sunday 20th morning is the absolute standout of the whole outlook. You’ve got a 20ft W swell at 14 seconds, 13352 energy, and a fresh offshore south wind at 30 km/h. It’s clean. This is a serious groundswell, very long period—the kind that will wrap into The Cove beautifully if you’ve got the skill. It’s marked as excellent for experienced surfers. If you can handle big reef waves, this is the session. Sunday afternoon goes stormy, so get it early.

Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd are big and messy with cross winds. Wednesday 23rd is a no-go with gale-force winds. But then Thursday 24th morning delivers again: a 15ft NNW swell at 10 seconds, 4685 energy, with a light offshore breeze from the south—clean as a whistle. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Another big day for the crew who knows what they’re doing.

The final days, 25th and 26th, fade out with cross-on winds and poor conditions.

Best on offer: Sunday 20th morning for the big wave experts—20ft, offshore, clean. For the everyday surfer, Monday 14th morning is your pick: clean, 3ft, offshore, and just lovely.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat morning, light winds from the NW by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Mon night, strong winds from the NNW by Tue night).

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
4
0
0
2
3
2
3
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
W
7
1.9
W
9
2
W
10
3.5
W
13
3.5
WNW
12
2.4
WNW
12
1.9
WNW
11
1.6
WNW
10
1.1
NNW
12
1
NNW
12
1.3
W
9
1.3
W
10
1.1
W
11
1.2
W
10
1
W
10
1.1
W
11
1.4
W
11
1
W
9
2.3
W
9
3.5
W
13
3.5
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
469
537
884
3579
3280
1619
808
510
373
308
251
367
277
290
192
277
440
164
923
4595
3691
Wind (km/h)
35
WSW
35
WSW
15
S
50
WSW
40
W
15
W
15
WSW
5
NW
15
SSE
20
S
20
SSW
10
WNW
15
NE
30
NNW
45
NNW
35
NNW
30
NW
20
SW
20
SW
30
W
25
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
9:38AM5.00m
9:38PM5.31m
10:12AM5.01m
10:14PM5.32m
10:45AM4.94m
10:49PM5.21m
11:16AM4.81m
11:23PM5.00m
11:47AM4.64m
11:58PM4.71m
12:19PM4.44m
00:35AM4.38m
12:56PM4.22m
1:21AM4.04m
Low Tide
3:29PM1.34m
3:55AM0.82m
4:05PM1.28m
4:31AM0.90m
4:40PM1.32m
5:06AM1.09m
5:15PM1.44m
5:39AM1.36m
5:50PM1.64m
6:12AM1.69m
6:27PM1.89m
6:47AM2.04m
7:09PM2.16m
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part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
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cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:35
6:37
6:39
6:41
6:43
6:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:46
7:44
7:40
7:38
7:36
7:32
7:30
 mm
4
1
4
13
6
11
4
1
Temp °C
14
15
12
16
14
12
13
13
14
17
17
16
13
13
12
11
11
11
13
13
12
Feels °C
7
8
8
7
7
8
10
11
10
15
15
16
11
8
4
4
4
6
9
7
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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