Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, WNW swell with 763 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. 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 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
Alright folks, let’s talk about The Cove. It’s a reef setup, intermediate territory. Right now, we’re in a bit of a slow patch. The water temp is sitting at 56.5°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year.
We’ve got a bit of swell on Monday, the 24th, with waves around 6.6ft coming from the WNW, but it’s a cross-off wind and the energy is moderate (933). It’s a bit marginal overall, nothing to get too excited about. That drops off hard. Tuesday the 25th into Wednesday the 26th sees the swell fading hard, down to under 1.6ft and basically no energy (29). That’s a dead spell. Thursday the 27th is still tiny, just 2.3ft, and while it’s clean, it’s barely surfable. Friday the 28th is a write-off with light rain and messy cross-onshore wind.
Then we get a bump over the first weekend. Saturday the 29th has some 5.9ft windswell from the WNW, but the period is short (6 seconds) and the wind is howling at 22 mph, making it lumpy and choppy. Not your friend. Sunday the 30th brings a moment of calm with glassy conditions in the morning, but that 5.2ft swell is still short-period and lacking shape (166). Worth a look if you’re desperate, but don’t expect magic.
After that, we hit another lull. Monday the 31st through to Wednesday the 2nd of September is mostly small or wind-affected junk. Thursday the 3rd of September morning finally gives us a clean window with offshore winds from the SSE and a 3.6ft W swell. The energy is moderate (331) and the conditions are looking *good*. That’s a solid session for the intermediate crew.
Now, the real standout is Saturday, the 5th of September. This is the one. We’ve got a proper 9.8ft groundswell from the west with a long 13-second period. The energy is very strong (2833), and the wind is fresh offshore from the south. That’s a recipe for some serious, powerful waves at this reef. This is expert territory – over 8.2ft, so leave the foam boards at home. The afternoon cleans up even more with 8.2ft waves and moderate offshore wind. If you’re an experienced surfer, that Saturday is your day. Sunday the 6th is still good with a 6.6ft west swell and gentle offshore wind (956), but it’s backing off.
Heads up for Monday the 7th of September: the models are spitting out a massive 23.0ft west swell, but the energy is off the charts (10612) and the wind is onshore. That size is way too big for this break and will be dangerous. Don’t even think about paddling out.
All in all, there’s a dry spell right now, but keep your eyes on Thursday the 3rd of September for a clean, fun session, and definitely circle Saturday the 5th of September for the big, powerful swell if you’ve got the skills.
That’s the word. Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
925 | 763 | 551 | 317 | 149 | 49 | 24 | 13 | 22 | 68 | 57 | 35 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 176 | 159 | 244 | 191 | 142 | 84 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | 9:44AM4.72m | 9:46PM5.03m | 10:13AM4.81m | 10:16PM5.11m | 10:42AM4.84m | 10:47PM5.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | 3:40PM1.52m | 4:03AM1.17m | 4:11PM1.43m | 4:35AM1.10m | 4:44PM1.40m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 |
925 | 763 | 551 | 317 | 149 | 49 | 24 | 13 | 22 | 68 | 57 | 48 | 48 | 50 | 37 | 22 | 10 | 244 | 191 | 142 | 84 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | — | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 8 | N 8 | N 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 | N 8 | N 8 | W 9 | N 8 |
5 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 10 | — | E 7 | W 9 | N 8 | W 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 3 | SE 4 | SE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | ESE 4 |
— | 2 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 36 | 49 | — | — | — | 25 | 176 | 159 | — | — | — | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 34 | 17 | 170 | 170 | 132 | 16 | 0 | 63 | 83 | 176 | 176 | 32 | 46 | 7 | 7 | 87 | 10 |
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.











