The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for The Cove.

The next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag, with some absolute gems hidden in there if you're patient and can handle the size. The early part of the week is pretty grim, but we've got some proper groundswell and clean conditions lining up for a couple of standout sessions that'll make all the waiting worth it.

First up, Monday and Tuesday are a write-off. The swell on Monday the 7th is a messy 6ft from the WSW with a short 9-second period, on a strong cross-off wind. Wave energy is moderate (512) but the conditions are just marginal and the tide's all wrong. Tuesday the 8th morning is our first glimmer of hope with a clean 8ft W swell at 11 seconds. The wind is offshore from the SSE, so the face will be clean, and the wave energy is strong (1803). It’s scoring decently for a reason, but it's on the bigger side – not for beginners. The afternoon turns into a rainy, choppy mess, so get out early.

Wednesday and Thursday are on the smaller, weaker side with onshore or cross-off winds. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate, with wave energy dropping right off (220-235). Friday the 11th looks lumpy and cross-chopped, best avoided.

Right, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday the 12th of September is the big one for experienced crew. The morning at The Cove sees a solid 13ft swell from the WNW, with a very long 13-second period. The wave energy is massive (4683), and the wind is a clean offshore from the S. This is big, powerful groundswell – not for the faint-hearted. It'll be a proper paddle, and that longer period will hold up well on this reef setup. This is a standout for experienced surfers only.

The quality holds into Sunday the 13th. The morning still has a strong 10ft swell from the WNW at 12 seconds, with a light cross-off breeze. Wave energy is still very high (2361). But the real magic is Sunday afternoon: glassy conditions with a 7ft W swell. That combination of glass and a solid, long-period swell is about as good as it gets for a clean session. The water temperature is around average for this time of year.

We get a bit of a lull through the start of the following week, though Monday the 14th morning has a clean 6ft W swell on a moderate offshore before the wind cranks up again.

Looking further out, Tuesday the 15th of September kicks back into life with another solid pulse. A massive 15ft WNW swell with strong energy (3834) and a clean cross-off wind. This is again only for experts, but the power is definitely there.

The rest of the run into the third week gets messy. Strong winds, shorter periods, and lumpy conditions dominate from the 16th onwards. There’s a potential 16ft WSW swell on Saturday the 19th, but with a near-gale cross-shore wind making it completely unsurfable. The very end of the window on the 22nd has a tiny 2ft swell with a 17-second period, but the wind is cross-shore and choppy, so that long period won't save it.

So to sum it up: The early week is a bust. The standout is Saturday the 12th in the morning for the experienced – big, powerful, and clean. Sunday the 13th afternoon is the other peak, with that glassy, long-period swell that will have the place humming. Be ready to jump when it’s good, because the rest of the time you’ll be watching from the cliff.

Rusty.

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