The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.0° C
0.4° 

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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, NW swell with 650 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove this week:

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 4PM (Wed 22nd Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, grab your wettie, this is Rusty.

Well, to be honest, the next 16 days are looking pretty grim for The Cove. This is a real dry spell, and I’m not just talking about the weather. The first real recommendation for a surf doesn't appear until Wednesday the 15th of July, but even then, it's a tough call. The pattern is set for a long stretch of frustrating conditions, and it's not until the very end of the window that we finally see something worthwhile.

Starting off on Wednesday morning, the 15th, we have a tiny 2ft W swell moving through, but it's coming from the wrong direction for this spot. The wind is a cross-offshore SE breeze at 12 mph, which keeps the surface clean, but the swell is weak, with combined energy at just 70. It's really small and not offering much. The water temp is 55°, which is about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

The next couple of weeks are a real slog. The sea is pretty much a mess, with cross-on winds and choppy surf dominating the forecast. It’s a lot of windswell, with periods mostly under 10 seconds, and the energy readings are all over the place. The swell stays small, often under 3ft, and the wind is never really on our side. This is a real lesson in patience.

The only standout in this whole outlook comes right at the very end. On Monday the 27th of July, we finally get a different setup. The morning shows a 4ft W swell with a 10-second period, which is a decent groundswell. The combined energy is a moderate 317. What makes it special is the wind – a clean, cross-offshore SW breeze at 15 mph. This will make the waves clean and lined up. The afternoon holds similar promise with a 3ft W swell and clean conditions. After all that chop, this is the one true bright spot. On the 27th, The Cove should finally show its reef-pass potential.

For a reef break like The Cove, this long period energy from the west is a good sign. It’s a spot that needs that longer period to wrap in properly. The downside is that it can be a bit inconsistent, but when it turns on, it’s a gem. Because it’s a fairly consistent break, this dry run is unusual, but it happens. The crowds can pop up here sometimes, but for the 27th, it should be worth fighting for. Just keep in mind that the 4ft swell is a manageable size for intermediates, but it’s not a beginner wave.

So, the takeaway? You’re waiting a long time, but lock in the 27th of July. The run-up is a write-off, but that Monday morning could be a real treat.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the NW by Fri afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
W
9
0.5
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.4
WNW
13
0.9
WNW
11
0.8
WNW
10
0.8
WNW
9
0.7
WNW
9
1
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
7
0.8
WNW
7
0.8
WNW
7
0.9
WNW
7
0.5
W
11
0.6
W
11
0.9
WNW
7
0.6
W
10
0.5
W
10
1
WNW
8
1.2
WNW
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
64
39
25
27
55
210
125
110
79
130
93
53
53
79
59
83
90
69
46
133
66
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
20
ESE
10
S
5
NW
15
NNW
10
NW
20
NW
30
NW
20
NW
25
NW
20
N
15
WNW
20
WNW
30
W
25
WNW
20
NW
15
NW
10
WNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
25
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
10:07AM4.91m
10:14PM5.21m
10:57AM4.92m
10:59PM5.25m
11:45AM4.85m
11:44PM5.19m
12:31PM4.70m
00:29AM5.05m
1:16PM4.50m
1:14AM4.84m
2:04PM4.29m
2:03AM4.58m
2:54PM4.11m
2:57AM4.31m
Low Tide
4:03PM1.40m
4:34AM0.87m
4:47PM1.44m
5:20AM0.88m
5:31PM1.54m
6:05AM1.00m
6:14PM1.70m
6:51AM1.22m
6:58PM1.91m
7:38AM1.51m
7:46PM2.13m
8:29AM1.81m
8:40PM2.34m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:28
4:31
4:31
4:33
4:35
4:37
4:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:09
10:08
10:07
10:05
10:04
10:01
10:00
 mm
Temp °C
19
20
18
18
16
13
13
13
12
13
12
11
14
14
13
13
14
13
12
13
13
Feels °C
15
17
17
17
14
11
9
7
7
9
8
9
9
9
10
10
11
12
8
8
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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