
Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,635 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's comin' our way.
Honestly, for the next week or so, The Cove is a write-off. The wind is all over the shop and the swell is just messy. We've got a solid run of poor surf conditions from Friday, 17th July, right through to Thursday, 23rd July. The wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and with energy readings bouncing between weak and moderate, it's choppy and lumpy. There are a few days of moderate wave energy in there, but the conditions just aren't cooperating. This stretch is a no-go for a paddle.
Now, things start to look interesting on Friday, 24th July. The swell jumps up to 10ft from the WNW, and the combined energy surges to a strong level. That's a real injection of power. The wind is cross-off, keeping things clean, but the surf report flags it as marginal, likely due to tide or size. This is big, powerful groundswell for The Cove, and 10ft is starting to push into expert territory. It's also a classic reef break, so that long-period energy will focus nicely, but it's a session for solid surfers only.
Saturday, 25th July, looks better again. The morning has a 7ft WNW swell with a clean, moderate offshore breeze from the S. The energy is still strong, and the forecast is for "very good surf conditions." The offshore wind will make The Cove's reef setups glassy.
The real standout, though, is Monday, 27th July. We've got an excellent forecast for experienced surfers. The morning has a 7ft WNW swell with light cross-off winds and a very strong energy reading. The afternoon is even better, with an 8ft WNW swell and a long period, pushing the energy up to a very strong level. The wind is light and cross-off. This is proper groundswell, and the longer period means those waves will have some real teeth and shape, with nice long lulls between sets.
Later, on Tuesday, 28th July, the morning session looks magic with 6ft WNW swell, a long period, and glassy conditions from a light breeze. The energy is strong, and the forecast is for "very good surf conditions." This is a window for the early birds.
After that, things start easing off again from Wednesday, 29th July, with the swell dropping and the wind turning cross-on, bringing us back to poor surf into the first few days of August.
So, to sum it up: The first week is a complete bust. Hold out for the weekend of the 24th and 25th. The absolute pick of the whole forecast is Monday, 27th July, with Tuesday morning, 28th July, as a close second. Those are the days where it all comes together.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
125 | 108 | 106 | 169 | 122 | 84 | 74 | 77 | 45 | 207 | 237 | 323 | 275 | 331 | 441 | 371 | 343 | 196 | 226 | 415 | 910 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | 4:54PM3.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | 10:35AM2.28m | 11:12PM2.51m | ||||||||
4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — | 4:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:58 | — | — | 9:55 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | E 6 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | WNW 11 | N 6 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 7 | — |
125 | 108 | 106 | 1 | 122 | 84 | 23 | 10 | 43 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 371 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | E 7 | ENE 10 | W 9 | WNW 12 | W 8 | N 7 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 15 | — |
1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 9 | 15 | 27 | 13 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 6 | — | — | W 14 | WNW 12 | NE 9 | N 6 | NE 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 31 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 8 | NNE 5 | N 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 |
6 | 9 | 53 | 169 | 27 | 44 | 74 | 77 | 45 | 207 | 237 | 323 | 275 | 331 | 441 | — | 343 | 196 | 226 | 415 | 910 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 1106 | 63 | 424 | 207 | 35 | 26 | 259 | 123 | 289 | 726 | 63 | 311 | 447 | 447 | 491 | 424 | 36 | 186 | 473 | 21 |
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.










