The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.2° C
0.1° 

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 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, NNW swell with 391 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period with NNW 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.5m) 9s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.5m) 9s
Most Powerful10PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. Let's be straight—this isn't a week for paddling out at The Cove. The opening days are mostly a write-off, with really crummy conditions and tiny swell. Wait it out, there's a bit of a pulse coming.

Alright, let's start with Saturday the 1st of August. The morning is a write-off: cross-shore wind, weak 3 ft swell from the north with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is a measly 191 (weak). The water’s sitting at 56°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. Afternoon isn't any better—cross-on wind and choppy.

Sunday the 2nd is still a no-go. The swell bumps up to 4 ft, but it's cross-on and messy. Monday the 3rd sees a little more hope: the morning is still cross-shore with a 4 ft N swell, but by Monday afternoon, the wind swings cross-off and goes light. The swell holds at 4 ft, period 9 seconds, and the combined energy is 273 (moderate). The surf is clean, but it's still only marginal. Not worth rushing out for.

Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are a total dud—tiny waves, rain, and wind. The combined energy drops to 64 and 40, so you're not missing anything.

Thursday the 6th is flat, with 1 ft. Friday the 7th morning gives a glassy moment with a 2 ft W swell, period 9 seconds, and combined energy at 77 (weak). But it's hardly worth a paddle. Friday afternoon, however, is a little better: 4 ft W swell, 9-second period, 204 combined energy (moderate), and cross-off wind making it clean. Surfable, but not a standout.

Here's your first real chance: Saturday the 8th morning. The Cove sees a 5 ft swell from the west, 8-second period, combined energy of 270 (moderate), and light cross-off wind. It's clean. That's the best of the early stuff—small, but workable.

Saturday afternoon gets bigger, 7 ft from the west, but the period drops to 7 seconds and it gets cross-shore and a bit choppy. Marginal.

Sunday the 9th is a big swell event—8 ft to 10 ft from the WNW to NW, 9-second period, and combined energy surges to 1124 and 1248 (strong). But it's cross-on or onshore, choppy, and the size is solid. This is for experts only. If you're a strong paddler, there'll be power, but the conditions are messy.

Monday the 10th morning is a nice reset: 4 ft from the north, 8-second period, 259 combined energy (moderate), and clean cross-off wind. That's a decent session. Afternoon is wind-affected.

Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are small and poor again. Wednesday afternoon has a glassy 1 ft, but it's flat.

Now, if you're looking ahead, Thursday the 13th afternoon is a true standout. The Cove gets 7 ft from the west, 8-second period, combined energy of 588 (strong), and clean cross-off wind. The guidance calls this a very good session. That's the one to circle. Still a bit hefty for beginners, but for intermediates and up, it's quality.

Friday the 14th morning is also good: 6 ft from the west, 9-second period, 432 combined energy (moderate), and light offshore wind. Clean and punchy. Afternoon gets a bit messy with rain and stronger cross-off wind.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are a letdown—strong cross-on wind, lumpy, and the swell is dropping. Not worth it.

So, the standout is the afternoon of the 13th of August. The Cove will be pumping with a solid west swell, clean conditions, and strong energy. The 14th morning is a close second. The rest is mostly waiting or small windows.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SW by Thu night).

Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
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
0
0
0
1
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
N
8
0.9
NNW
8
1
NNW
8
1.2
WNW
8
1.2
NNW
8
1.5
NNW
9
1.3
N
9
1.3
N
9
1
N
8
0.8
N
8
0.8
N
8
0.7
N
8
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.5
N
7
0.3
W
10
0.3
W
10
0.3
W
10
0.6
W
9
1.1
W
9
1.5
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
113
118
147
192
197
344
275
258
136
82
80
58
42
28
27
18
17
17
61
198
342
Wind (km/h)
25
W
20
WNW
20
W
20
NW
10
NW
10
SE
10
E
10
ESE
15
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
20
E
20
E
30
E
25
ENE
15
N
20
NW
15
WNW
5
SW
10
SE
10
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
High Tide
11:14AM4.61m
11:15PM4.95m
11:46AM4.59m
11:48PM4.91m
12:20PM4.52m
00:23AM4.81m
12:59PM4.42m
1:04AM4.67m
1:46PM4.29m
1:55AM4.48m
2:44PM4.17m
3:01AM4.28m
3:55PM4.11m
Low Tide
5:10PM1.63m
5:36AM1.32m
5:43PM1.68m
6:12AM1.38m
6:19PM1.78m
6:50AM1.50m
6:59PM1.93m
7:34AM1.68m
7:47PM2.10m
8:27AM1.89m
8:50PM2.27m
9:36AM2.09m
10:15PM2.33m
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
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part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:01
5:03
5:07
5:09
5:11
5:13
5:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:37
9:35
9:31
9:30
9:28
9:24
9:22
 mm
1
1
4
5
7
5
6
5
4
Temp °C
14
13
12
13
13
12
15
16
13
12
12
12
12
12
11
13
13
12
13
14
13
Feels °C
9
9
9
10
11
10
12
14
10
8
9
8
8
7
6
9
9
8
12
12
11
  • 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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