The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.6°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 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with 7,144 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 (Sep 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Best Surf 1PM (Sat 12th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 12th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let's get into it. The next couple of weeks have a wild mix of flat spells and serious power. The main focus is The Cove, and it's a tale of two forecasts: some average days early, and one absolute world-class window at the end.

We start off with a slow, building pulse. Monday the 7th sees a solid 6ft west swell rolling in, but it's getting hammered by a strong 19 mph cross-offshore wind. The water is sitting at 57°, which is just about average for this time of year. It's surfable but pretty average, with the combined energy reading at a moderate 522. Tuesday the 8th gets messy with onshore rain and strong wind, so Wednesday and Thursday drop right down into the doldrums—we're talking weak waist-high leftovers and no real juice.

Friday the 11th sees the size pick back up but the wind stays strong, keeping things raw and borderline. Saturday the 12th brings in a proper push: a 13ft WNW groundswell with a long period of 13 seconds. The combined energy spikes hard to 5253 (strong), and the wind is a nice moderate breeze out of the SSE, giving clean conditions. This is a serious, heavy wave—way too big and powerful for beginners. For the experienced crew who can handle a steep, long-period swell at a reef, this is the standout of the first week.

The middle of next week goes a bit quiet again. Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th are smaller, cleaner but lacking punch.

Then we get to the real story. Thursday the 17th afternoon starts to flip the switch—a clean 8ft west swell with an 11-second period and light 6 mph cross-offshore wind. The water will have warmed up a touch. That's a beautiful window.

But Friday the 18th is the absolute killer. Morning brings an exceptional 18ft west swell with a period of 13 seconds. The combined energy is off the charts at 10062. The wind is a gentle offshore from the south, just 9 mph. This is pure, unadulterated groundswell power—huge, clean, and lined up. This is an expert-only session; anyone else shouldn't even think about it. This is the best on offer by a long shot, and a day you will remember. The offshore wind will have it reeling down the reef.

Saturday the 19th holds solid at 8ft to 12ft and stays clean, with lighter wind. Sunday the 20th morning is another giant pulse at 16ft and offshore, again for experts.

The final days drop in quality as the onshore wind returns Monday the 21st and the sets lose their edge. Tuesday the 22nd shows some cleaner 8ft north swell but with side wind, so it's still a decent option but not the main event.

So, to boil it down: the first week is building but windy; the standout session by a mile is Friday the 18th at The Cove. The Saturday and Sunday after that are still excellent but getting bigger again. Keep the 18th circled, and the 19th and 20th mornings. It’s gonna be a big run.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Tue morning, light winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Sat night).

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
3
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
4
5
4
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
W
9
2.5
W
11
4
W
13
4
W
12
3
WNW
11
3
NW
10
1.6
NNW
8
1
W
9
0.9
W
6
1
W
8
1.3
W
9
1.2
W
9
1.9
W
10
2.4
W
10
4.5
WNW
14
4
WNW
13
3
WNW
13
2.5
WNW
12
2
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
1.1
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
494
1512
5148
3955
1923
1460
277
157
48
111
274
251
708
1131
6760
5246
3560
1945
955
607
240
Wind (km/h)
30
SW
35
SW
45
SSW
45
SW
45
NNW
30
NW
30
WNW
20
W
20
SSW
25
SSE
20
SSW
25
SW
40
WSW
40
WSW
40
WSW
20
SSE
20
SW
15
NNW
20
NW
10
WNW
15
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
6:28PM4.33m
7:23AM4.42m
7:29PM4.65m
8:16AM4.69m
8:17PM4.95m
9:00AM4.89m
9:00PM5.19m
9:38AM5.00m
9:38PM5.31m
10:12AM5.01m
10:14PM5.32m
10:45AM4.94m
10:49PM5.21m
Low Tide
12:19PM2.25m
00:56AM1.73m
1:20PM1.99m
1:50AM1.36m
2:08PM1.71m
2:35AM1.05m
2:50PM1.49m
3:16AM0.87m
3:29PM1.34m
3:55AM0.82m
4:05PM1.28m
4:31AM0.90m
4:40PM1.32m
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:26
6:28
6:31
6:33
6:35
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:59
7:55
7:52
7:50
7:46
7:44
7:40
 mm
4
2
1
1
1
5
4
1
Temp °C
15
15
12
12
12
11
12
13
11
13
15
14
14
14
13
11
15
13
12
12
12
Feels °C
7
7
3
3
3
3
6
8
7
8
11
10
6
6
5
7
11
9
8
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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