The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.8°C
0.8° 

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 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 12s period, W swell with 9,504 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 6.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 4th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 4th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Most Powerful 4PM (Fri 4th Sep)20ft (6.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s cooking at The Cove. It’s a reliable reef break that sees a lot of swell.

Right now, the first few days are a total loss. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are blown out by strong winds and raw, lumpy conditions. Friday afternoon sees a massive energy reading of (10,346), but with a near gale, it’s not surfable for a paddle board. More of a kite scene.

Sunday the 6th is small and clean. The swell is only 3ft to 3ft from the west, but with a light offshore breeze from the SSE, it’s clean glassy water for a longboard. Nothing special.

Monday the 7th afternoon is the first real chance. We get a 8ft swell out of the west and a solid offshore wind. It’s a fresh breeze, but the report says clean. The energy is moderate at (799). It’s the best of a rough first week.

Then we hit a long, quiet stretch. From Tuesday the 8th through Sunday the 13th, it’s cross-shore winds, messy chop, and poor quality. The swell comes and goes, but the wind kills it every time. That’s a full week of nothing.

Now, pay attention. Monday the 14th of September is the big one. The morning brings a solid 13ft swell from the west, with a light offshore breeze from the SSE. That’s a 13ft groundswell with an 11-second period – very long period, which on this reef will produce deep, open barrels. The combined energy is (4,135), which is strong. This is expert-only territory. Too big for anyone else.

But the absolute standout is Monday afternoon. The swell jumps to 18ft from the WNW, with glassy conditions from the SSW. That’s an 18ft wave with a 13-second period, with a combined energy of (10,538). That is pumping. It’s going to be a serious, heaving reef. Expect crowds.

Tuesday the 15th keeps the goods coming with 13ft to 15ft swells from the WNW and clean offshore winds. Still expert territory. Wednesday the 16th is a little smaller at 7ft to 12ft, but we get another glassy window in the afternoon from the WSW. That’s a beautiful, clean session for the experienced guys.

The last few days, Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th, the swell sticks around at 12ft to 13ft, but the wind turns onshore from the north, making it messy and marginal. The energy is still high (3,705), but the quality drops off.

So, the first week is a bust with a small clean session on Monday the 7th. The second week is all about Monday the 14th. That afternoon is the absolute best of the 16 days. If you’re an expert, that’s your window. The Cove will be a heavy, powerful reef with that long period and glassy conditions. Don’t miss it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, near gales from the WSW by Mon night).

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
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
1
0
0
0
1
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
W
6
1.4
W
7
1.1
W
7
2.5
WSW
10
6
W
12
4
WNW
9
3
WNW
8
2.1
W
10
1.6
WNW
9
0.7
W
9
1.1
W
8
0.9
W
10
1.8
W
6
2.2
W
7
1.9
W
8
1.8
NW
9
1.6
N
10
2.1
NNW
10
2
WNW
9
2
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
272
168
126
1250
9504
2290
1168
873
383
76
167
158
253
507
443
531
499
886
586
523
214
Wind (km/h)
35
W
30
WSW
20
SSW
35
SW
60
W
50
WNW
35
WNW
25
W
15
S
20
SSE
25
S
30
SW
40
WSW
45
WSW
55
WSW
50
WNW
50
WNW
45
NW
30
NW
20
WNW
5
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
1:11PM4.38m
1:32AM4.40m
2:10PM4.17m
2:47AM4.12m
3:31PM4.04m
4:29AM4.01m
5:06PM4.09m
6:11AM4.14m
6:28PM4.33m
7:23AM4.42m
7:29PM4.65m
8:16AM4.69m
8:17PM4.95m
Low Tide
7:23PM1.99m
7:57AM2.02m
8:29PM2.21m
9:12AM2.31m
10:04PM2.29m
10:53AM2.41m
11:44PM2.10m
12:19PM2.25m
00:56AM1.73m
1:20PM1.99m
1:50AM1.36m
2:08PM1.71m
2:35AM1.05m
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:18
6:20
6:22
6:24
6:26
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:09
8:07
8:05
8:01
7:59
7:55
7:52
 mm
1
2
1
2
7
3
3
Temp °C
15
16
14
13
13
12
13
14
13
15
19
17
14
14
11
11
11
10
12
12
11
Feels °C
8
10
9
6
1
2
6
10
10
11
16
12
6
5
0
1
0
0
6
7
8
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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