The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

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