
Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with 1,382 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days is a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. We’ve got some size coming through, but the wind is going to be a real headache for most of the run. You’ll need to be patient and pick your moments.
The first real chance to even think about paddling out isn’t until Thursday, the 23rd of July. There’s a clean little window on the morning, with a 5ft swell from the west and a cross-offshore breeze. The period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s not going to have much grunt, and the combined energy is only 245 (weak to moderate). It’s marginal, but it’s the first thing that’s not completely blown out. The afternoon gets hit by a strong breeze, so no good there.
Friday the 24th has more size, but it’s not clean. The morning sees an 8ft west swell with a 9-second period, and while the wind is cross-off, it’s a strong breeze, so it’s going to be messy. The combined energy jumps to 1138 (strong to very strong), but that’s all power and no finesse. The afternoon is even worse with cross-shore winds. A tough one for experts only, if you’re desperate.
Saturday the 25th is a similar story. Morning has a 8ft WNW swell, a 10-second period, and a moderate cross-shore breeze. The energy is still high at 1118 (strong), but it’s not clean. A definite expert-only day if you’re looking for a battle.
The standout moment, and I mean the real standout, is Thursday, the 30th of July. The morning is glassy. Absolutely glassy. We’ve got a 4ft west swell with a 9-second period and a light breeze from the northeast that’s basically non-existent. Combined energy is a modest 245 (weak to moderate), but with conditions like that, you’ll be getting clean, fun waves. This is your best bet for the whole run. The afternoon gets a bit lumpy, so make the most of the morning.
There’s another promising window on Friday, the 31st of July. The morning is clean again with a light cross-offshore breeze from the southwest. The swell is a consistent 5ft from the west, 9-second period, and the energy is 303 (moderate). It’s not the biggest, but it’s clean and rideable.
After that, the first week of August fades out. The 1st and 2nd are small and weak, with very little energy. Then on Monday the 3rd of August, we get a pulse of 7ft from the northwest with a cross-offshore breeze, but the period is a short 8 seconds and the energy is 634 (moderate to strong). It’s clean, but the quality is questionable. A bit of a gamble.
So, to sum it up: The Cove is a reef break that’s exposed to the NW swell, but the wind is the enemy for most of this forecast. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you can find a peak on the good days. The best on offer is undoubtedly the morning of Thursday, the 30th of July – that glassy, clean 4ft west swell. The morning of Friday the 31st is a solid second choice. Everything else is a battle with the wind or too small. Keep your eyes on the forecasts, because things can change, but for now, mark that Thursday in your calendar.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WNW on Sun night, strong winds from the WNW by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WSW on Thu morning, strong winds from the W by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
165 | 192 | 290 | 271 | 545 | 602 | 330 | 254 | 237 | 238 | 512 | 678 | 1138 | 1207 | 1382 | 1118 | 989 | 676 | 407 | 276 | 871 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | 5:13AM3.94m | 6:01PM4.00m | 6:29AM3.92m | 7:01PM4.14m | 7:34AM4.01m | 7:51PM4.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | 11:45AM2.35m | 00:26AM2.39m | 12:46PM2.31m | 1:24AM2.19m | 1:36PM2.21m | 2:10AM1.96m | |||||||
4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | 4:46 | — | — | 4:48 | — | — | 4:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:55 | — | — | 9:53 | — | — | 9:52 | — | — | 9:50 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — |
83 | 33 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1118 | 989 | 676 | 407 | 276 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 6 | N 9 | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | N 8 | — | — |
2 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 66 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | WNW 10 |
165 | 192 | 290 | 271 | 545 | 602 | 330 | 254 | 237 | 238 | 512 | 678 | 1138 | 1207 | 1382 | — | — | — | — | 115 | 871 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 265 | 601 | 363 | 810 | 954 | 354 | 63 | 447 | 36 | 34 | 880 | 412 | 1106 | 668 | 1144 | 63 | 593 | 421 | 785 | 621 | 531 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










