The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s get into it.

First off, I’ll be straight with ya – The Cove is a reef setup that’s fairly consistent, but this forecast is a long stretch of meh, with only a few flickers of something rideable. The water’s sitting at 55°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real chance to paddle out comes on Friday the 10th, but it’s a grim start. Morning has a weak 3ft W swell, period of 9 seconds, and the wind is cross-on from the NW. The energy is weak (185), and the conditions are just plain poor. The afternoon picks up a little to 4ft, still from the W, with a longer 11-second period, and the energy climbs to moderate (334). The wind is barely there, but it’s still cross-on, so it’s marginal at best – a “maybe” session if you’re desperate.

Saturday the 11th is more of the same. Both morning and afternoon offer 4ft and 4ft W swell, but the wind is cross-on, and the conditions are poor. The energy drops from 273 to 205, and it’s just not worth the effort.

Now, Sunday the 12th morning has a tiny 2ft W swell with a short 8-second period and weak energy (66), but the wind is cross-off from the E, so it cleans up. It’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon is even smaller at 2ft, and the wind goes cross, making it choppy.

Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are a write-off with tiny swell, though Tuesday morning does see a pulse of 3ft WNW swell, period 10 seconds, and energy of 211. The wind is cross-off and clean, but it’s still marginal. Afternoon improves to 3ft W with a solid 11-second period and 242 energy, but again, just marginal.

The big standout – and I mean the *only* standout – comes on Monday the 20th. After a long run of nothing, we get a solid 6ft NNW swell, period 8 seconds, with the wind swinging offshore from the S. The energy is strong (459), and the conditions are clean. That morning is the best on offer. The afternoon gets even better with a 4ft N swell, glassy conditions, and 275 energy – perfect for The Cove. This is your window. It’s not huge, but for this reef, it’ll be clean and fun. Just be aware that the period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a bit short-period, but the offshore wind will make it work.

Before that, we’ve got a massive gap from the 14th through the 19th with nothing worthwhile. In fact, the 19th has a 10ft NW swell, but the wind is a strong cross-on, making it a choppy mess. That’s more of a kite surfing day than a paddle session.

After the 20th, it drops off again. The 21st and 22nd see some size (6ft and 8ft), but the wind is howling cross or cross-on, so it’s blown out. There’s a hint of something on the 23rd morning with a 7ft W swell, 10-second period, and strong energy (825), but the wind is cross-off, so it’s clean. That’s a marginal call for the more experienced crew – 7ft is pushing it for beginners, and the crowd at The Cove can be around sometimes, so keep an eye out.

The rest of the run into the 25th is small, windy, and not worth a look.

So, bottom line: if you’re keen, circle Monday the 20th. That’s your best shot. The morning and afternoon both offer clean, surfable waves with offshore and glassy wind. Everything else in this 16-day window is a struggle.

Rusty.

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