Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, WNW swell with 10,741 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period with WNW 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 (Sep 13) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s. 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 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The Cove has been the only spot firing in our window, and she’s got plenty of ups and downs. First couple days, Sunday into Monday, are looking clean but smaller. We’ve got a solid NW groundswell pushing in around 7ft at 11 seconds Sunday morning, with light offshore wind – that’s clean. The Cove (and by that I mean the reef setup) is going to hold that swell well, but it’s not huge. Still, glassy conditions mean you’ll be trading waves with a few others, not a crowd. Water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing crazy.
Things get a bit messy by Tuesday and Wednesday – wind swings cross and onshore, chop messes up the lineup, swell drops. It’s not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate. That stretch from Tuesday morning through Thursday afternoon is a write-off, honestly.
Then Friday the 18th rolls around and the ocean wakes up. We’ve got a strong WNW swell building to 13ft at 14 seconds, with cross-off wind. The combined energy is solid (5756), and it’s clean but big. This is expert territory – 13ft reef waves, not for the faint-hearted. If you’re not confident, sit this one out. But if you are, this is proper.
Saturday the 19th stays big, 10-12ft, still clean but wind picks up. It’s powerful but a bit raw. Then Sunday the 20th is the standout. We’re looking at a 16ft WNW swell at 15 seconds, with offshore wind in the morning. Combined energy is massive (10279). This is as good as it gets – big, clean, lined-up reef waves. The crowd will be there, but the waves are worth it. Just know it’s only for experts.
Then things get wild. Monday the 21st, the ocean turns angry. Swell jumps to 21ft, gale-force cross winds, blown out. No chance. Tuesday the 22nd drops back to 13ft, clean again, but it’s still big and the wind is cross-off – manageable for the experienced only.
Wednesday the 23rd is a no-go – 24ft with near gale winds. That’s not surfing, that’s survival. Thursday the 24th is another big one, 16ft+ and clean, still too big for most. The energy readings are off the charts (over 9000). This is serious heavy water.
Friday the 25th through Sunday the 27th is all blown out or just too big – 55 km/h winds, 21ft waves, onshore. No good. The last day, Monday the 28th, drops back to 8ft but it’s cross-onshore and lumpy. Not great.
So overall, if you’re an expert, Sunday the 20th is the one. If you’re not, Sunday the 13th or Monday the 14th are your clean, smaller windows. Beyond that, it’s all about sitting and waiting for that one perfect set.
That’s the look. Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | NNW 9 | N 9 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1008 | 596 | 289 | 254 | 224 | 294 | 267 | 192 | 153 | 556 | 572 | 244 | 373 | 455 | 6374 | 5746 | 3666 | 1437 | 2474 | 2863 | 8168 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 1:43PM4.00m | 2:27AM3.75m | 2:54PM3.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:27AM2.38m | 8:04PM2.43m | 8:25AM2.67m | 9:34PM2.60m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:23 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 5 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | NNW 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | NNE 9 | — | — |
| kJ | 1008 | 596 | 289 | 157 | 224 | 294 | 267 | 192 | 153 | 556 | 572 | 225 | 84 | 61 | 6374 | 5746 | 3666 | 1437 | 7 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 15 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | SE 6 | N 10 | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | — | WNW 18 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 42 | 127 | 276 | 254 | 186 | 158 | 1 | 68 | — | — | 461 | 244 | — | 180 | 28 | 10 | 10 | 8 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 3 | S 3 | SSE 3 | — | NNW 10 | WNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | — | — | W 8 | W 9 | — | — | — | S 4 | W 11 | W 11 | W 13 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 5 | 6 | — | 163 | 71 | 102 | 365 | — | — | 373 | 455 | — | — | — | 48 | 2474 | 2863 | 8168 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 678 | 668 | 621 | 287 | 278 | 0 | 418 | 491 | 523 | 921 | 678 | 7 | 678 | 759 | 995 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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