Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,083 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s 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 (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. 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 2.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here again, but this time in feet and miles.
So, looking at the next 16 days, The Cove is mostly going to be a frustrating watch. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing before we hit anything worth reporting.
From Friday the 21st through Sunday the 23rd of August, the story is all onshore and cross-shore winds, choppy sea state, and swell under 4 feet. The combined energy is weak, topping out at 170. It’s a total waste.
Then Monday the 24th of August is your one chance. The Cove is an intermediate reef break, fairly consistent. Monday morning brings a clean cross-off breeze from the SE with a solid 7ft swell from the WNW. The period is 11 seconds, so it's got some groundswell push. The combined energy hits 1051, which is strong. The swell direction is right on the money for this spot. The water temp’s about 57 degrees, which is average for the season. It’s got size – too much for beginners on a shallow reef. The shape will be good, especially with that longer period. Crowds are a possibility. This is your standout.
Monday afternoon is still 6ft and clean, but the energy drops, and there’s talk of tide issues. Still surfable.
After that, it’s back to small, clean but tiny waves through the week. Swell stays under 4 feet.
Friday the 28th the wind picks up, and conditions get messy again.
Right at the tail end, on Saturday the 5th of September, the morning shapes up with a light offshore breeze. Swell is 3ft from the north. The energy is 173, moderate. The wind goes glassy in the afternoon with a 4ft north swell. It’s small and clean, nothing special, but after a two-week drought, it’s something.
So, one proper morning on the 24th of August is your best bet. The rest is a grind.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat morning, calm by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NNE 8 | N 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 297 | 230 | 153 | 73 | 48 | 75 | 138 | 548 | 1065 | 749 | 392 | 211 | 132 | 50 | 37 | 10 | 18 | 49 | 42 | 82 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | 8:08AM4.17m | 8:10PM4.48m | 8:43AM4.38m | 8:45PM4.70m | 9:14AM4.57m | 9:16PM4.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | 1:59PM2.11m | 2:26AM1.71m | 2:35PM1.88m | 2:59AM1.48m | 3:08PM1.68m | 3:31AM1.30m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — |
 | 8:46 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 15 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | N 9 | NNE 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | E 8 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 12 | 4 | 153 | 73 | 48 | 21 | 138 | 548 | 1065 | 749 | 392 | 211 | 132 | 50 | 37 | 10 | 18 | 46 | 42 | 82 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 9 | WNW 7 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | — | N 7 | N 6 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 9 | N 9 | W 10 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 49 | 29 | 34 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | W 16 | W 8 | N 6 | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | N 6 | — | N 9 | W 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | NNE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 12 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | ENE 7 | SE 3 | SE 3 | SE 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | — | W 4 | — |
| kJ | 297 | 230 | 9 | 24 | 27 | 75 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 7 | 18 | 7 | 21 | 78 | 49 | — | 10 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 239 | 63 | 223 | 63 | 36 | 21 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 158 | 207 | 104 | 34 | 9 | 9 |
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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