The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.9°C
0.8° 

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 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, W swell with 2,940 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period with N swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove this week:

The surf forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 31st Aug)2ft (0.6m) 7s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 3rd Sep)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 4th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break down what’s cooking at The Cove over the next couple weeks. Water temp is around 55°F with an anomaly of just 1°F, so pretty average for late summer – no wetsuit issues.

The first week is mostly flat and rubbish. From Sunday August 30th through Tuesday September 1st, the swell is tiny and winds are all over the place – not worth paddling out. We finally see a pulse on Wednesday September 2nd: 1.7m (6ft) north swell with a light easterly cross-off breeze, clean but only marginal – combined energy is 547 (moderate). That’s your first real chance, but don’t expect much.

Thursday September 3rd gets bigger: 2.4m (8ft) west swell, 11-second period, combined energy 1476 (strong), but with a strong cross-off wind from WSW. The length of period means it’ll be lined up at this reef, but the wind will make it bumpy.

Friday September 4th is huge – 3.0m (10ft) WNW swell, 12-second period, combined energy 2472 (very strong) – that’s expert-only territory with strong cross-off wind. Not the cleanest.

The real standout is Monday September 14th. Monday morning brings 1.9m (6ft) north swell with a gentle southerly cross-off breeze – clean, combined energy 629 (moderate). That’s waist-to-chest high, well-shaped, and the reef will handle it. Optimum swell direction for The Cove is NW, north is close enough. Crowds are only sometimes, so you might have a few out but it’ll be fine.

Monday afternoon goes glassy – 1.4m (5ft) north swell with dead calm, combined energy 335 (moderate). Could be some fun little waves if you’re quick.

Also note: Saturday September 12th morning shows 3.5m (12ft) WNW swell, 9-second period, combined energy 1981 (very strong) – massive but short period, so it’ll be a thick and heavy. Only for experts, and the moderate cross-off wind will keep it bumpy.

Overall, the middle of the second week looks like the best bet. Keep an eye on that Monday.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue morning, light winds from the NNW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed morning, strong winds from the W by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
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
1
0
0
0
2
1
2
0
2
4
1
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)
0.9
N
7
0.8
N
7
0.6
N
7
0.5
N
6
0.4
N
6
1.3
W
6
0.4
W
9
2
WNW
7
1.5
NNW
7
1.7
N
9
1.5
N
10
0.9
N
9
2.1
W
7
2.4
W
11
2.5
W
13
3
WNW
12
2.2
WNW
12
1.6
W
12
1.1
W
11
1.8
W
10
1.2
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
73
56
33
21
12
143
26
414
222
455
400
142
465
1392
2171
2472
1430
702
267
589
168
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
20
ESE
20
ESE
10
WSW
35
W
15
SSW
40
SSW
40
WNW
20
NW
10
E
30
SE
20
SSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
20
SSW
45
WSW
45
W
35
W
45
WNW
40
WNW
25
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
10:42AM4.84m
10:47PM5.13m
11:13AM4.82m
11:19PM5.06m
11:47AM4.72m
11:55PM4.92m
12:25PM4.57m
00:38AM4.69m
1:11PM4.38m
1:32AM4.40m
2:10PM4.17m
2:47AM4.12m
3:31PM4.04m
Low Tide
4:44PM1.40m
5:08AM1.12m
5:17PM1.45m
5:43AM1.23m
5:54PM1.57m
6:21AM1.42m
6:34PM1.76m
7:04AM1.70m
7:23PM1.99m
7:57AM2.02m
8:29PM2.21m
9:12AM2.31m
10:04PM2.29m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:09
6:11
6:13
6:16
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:22
8:19
8:15
8:13
8:09
8:07
8:05
 mm
1
1
2
2
2
1
3
1
Temp °C
13
14
14
16
12
13
14
13
11
11
11
14
15
14
12
13
13
12
12
13
12
Feels °C
10
10
13
14
5
8
7
5
5
5
4
9
7
7
8
5
4
5
3
4
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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