The Cove surfForecast / Scot – North Coast / UK

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Tuesday 12 May 2026 BST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Cove surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Cove sea temperature is
8.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Wednesday (May 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (May 18) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 13th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue morning, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu night, light winds from the SSE by Sat night).

Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
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
4
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
1
2
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WNW
8
3.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
12
3
WNW
12
2.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.8
N
7
2.1
N
7
1.9
N
9
1.6
N
9
1.3
N
9
1.1
N
9
1.1
N
9
0.9
W
12
1.4
W
14
1.5
W
13
1.4
W
12
1.1
W
11
0.9
W
11
0.8
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1023
2383
2017
2918
2239
1409
455
343
465
562
425
282
203
207
239
714
760
563
287
182
127
Wind (km/h)
40
WNW
35
W
10
S
15
N
15
NNW
15
NNW
30
N
30
N
35
NNW
30
NNW
25
NNW
10
NNW
15
NNE
10
ENE
10
SE
10
ENE
20
E
15
ESE
25
SE
25
SE
10
SE
cross
cross
off
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:17AM4.22m
6:12PM4.25m
6:12AM4.44m
6:59PM4.50m
7:02AM4.68m
7:42PM4.74m
7:49AM4.89m
8:24PM4.94m
8:35AM5.04m
9:06PM5.08m
9:22AM5.10m
9:48PM5.13m
10:12AM5.06m
10:33PM5.11m
Low Tide
11:55AM1.91m
00:19AM2.22m
12:46PM1.64m
1:08AM1.93m
1:31PM1.38m
1:53AM1.64m
2:15PM1.18m
2:37AM1.39m
2:58PM1.07m
3:20AM1.21m
3:41PM1.07m
4:05AM1.11m
4:26PM1.18m
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:54
4:52
4:48
4:47
4:45
4:43
4:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:29
9:30
9:32
9:35
9:37
9:39
9:42
1
4
2
2
Temp °C
9
9
7
8
9
7
8
8
7
7
7
7
8
8
7
9
9
8
10
9
9
-1
0
2
3
4
3
1
0
-1
0
0
3
4
4
3
5
4
3
4
3
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
N
9
0.6
N
8
3
WNW
11
3
WNW
12
3
WNW
12
2.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.2
WNW
10
0.9
WNW
9
0.7
WNW
8
1.6
N
9
1.3
N
9
1.1
N
9
1.1
N
9
1
N
10
1.4
W
14
1.5
W
13
1.4
W
12
1.1
W
11
0.9
W
11
0.8
W
10
Energy kJ
93
47
2017
2918
2239
1409
455
248
140
72
425
282
203
207
192
714
760
563
287
182
127
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
N
8
0.3
N
7
0.2
NNE
7
0.1
NE
9
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.7
WNW
8
0.7
WNW
8
0.6
W
8
0.6
W
8
0.9
W
12
1
N
10
0.9
N
10
0.9
NNE
9
0.6
N
8
0.5
N
8
0.4
NNE
8
Energy kJ
19
9
5
3
10
11
70
70
44
43
239
200
151
116
52
35
22
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
16
0.4
WNW
14
0.4
WNW
15
0.3
ESE
6
Energy kJ
5
70
77
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WNW
8
3.5
WNW
10
1.5
N
6
1.8
N
7
2.1
N
7
1.9
N
9
0.4
SE
3
0.5
SE
3
0.5
SE
4
0.4
SE
3
0.6
SE
4
0.8
ESE
4
0.4
SE
3
Energy kJ
1023
2383
176
343
465
562
2
5
6
3
10
24
4
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
4
4
4
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
Distance (km)
491
423
0
87
32
35
907
389
388
87
87
32
16
9
0
9
16
9
34
17
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
1
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
4
4
4
4
1
1
1
2
2
3
1
1
3
3
4
3
3
3
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
8
9
4
8
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
  • 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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