Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, W swell with 1,794 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period with N 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 (Aug 31) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at The Cove with a different ruler.
We got a flat spell right off the bat. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are tiny and weak, with bumpy, messy winds. Tuesday the 1st of September gets a little bigger but the wind is howling and the quality is total garbage. Don’t bother paddling out.
The first real chance shows up on Wednesday the 2nd. There’s a jump in energy with a combined swell energy reading of 792 (moderate) and the wind comes out of the ESE, cross-offshore, keeping the surface clean. The swell is 6ft from the north, period around 10 seconds – a solid groundswell that this exposed reef can handle. It’s over 5ft, so it’s too big for beginners. For the intermediates, it’s worth a look. Crowds are possible here. Thursday the 3rd is cleaner wind-wise but the swell drops and the period shortens to 6 seconds, making it weaker. Not the best.
Now the big one. The true standout of this 16-day run is the morning of Saturday the 12th of September. That’s the day. We’re talking a solid 10ft northwest swell, with a combined energy reading of 3065 (very strong). The period is 11 seconds – long-period groundswell, perfect for this reef. Wind is a light cross-on from the northwest at only 6 mph, so nearly glassy, clean conditions. This is expert territory only (over 8ft). Crowds are possible, and for good reason. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.
The next day, Sunday the 13th, still holds size at 8-10ft, but the period drops a bit and the wind gets more onshore, so it’s not as pristine as Saturday morning.
If you’re a beginner, stay away from that big Saturday – it’s a heavy set. For the experienced crew, that’s your session. It’s shaping up to be a classic.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sat night, strong winds from the W by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the W by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | W 5 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | N 7 | N 10 | N 10 | N 11 | N 10 | W 6 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 74 | 56 | 33 | 20 | 70 | 126 | 112 | 123 | 142 | 745 | 580 | 146 | 155 | 263 | 1794 | 1269 | 933 | 635 | 440 | 230 | 78 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:42AM4.84m | 10:47PM5.13m | 11:13AM4.82m | 11:19PM5.06m | 11:47AM4.72m | 11:55PM4.92m | 12:25PM4.57m | 00:38AM4.69m | 1:11PM4.38m | 1:32AM4.40m | 2:10PM4.17m | 2:47AM4.12m | 3:31PM4.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | 5:08AM1.12m | 5:17PM1.45m | 5:43AM1.23m | 5:54PM1.57m | 6:21AM1.42m | 6:34PM1.76m | 7:04AM1.70m | 7:23PM1.99m | 7:57AM2.02m | 8:29PM2.21m | 9:12AM2.31m | 10:04PM2.29m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | W 7 | N 7 | W 8 | N 7 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | N 7 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 74 | 56 | 33 | 20 | 12 | 126 | 9 | 35 | 142 | 745 | 580 | 129 | 146 | 99 | 1794 | 1269 | 933 | 635 | 40 | 230 | 78 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | N 9 | W 10 | N 9 | N 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 11 | SE 5 | SE 5 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 84 | 47 | 32 | 146 | 1 | 1 | 55 | 32 | 20 | 44 | 27 | 41 | 45 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | W 8 | W 11 | — | N 7 | S 3 | — | N 13 | — | — | W 8 | W 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | 9 | — | 8 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | 10 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 2 | E 3 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | W 5 | — | W 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | SE 4 | SSW 4 | WSW 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | SE 2 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 70 | — | 112 | 123 | — | — | 32 | 16 | 155 | 263 | — | — | — | — | 440 | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 34 | 10 | 176 | 593 | 0 | 593 | 388 | 0 | 17 | 34 | 7 | 422 | 370 | 621 | 621 | 621 | 601 | 577 | 424 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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