The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s brewing at The Cove. This is a reef setup that’s pretty exposed to the swell, so when it gets a clean northwest groundswell, it can really fire. But we’ve got a rough start to this 16-day window, so hold your horses.

For the first few days, the wind is a real problem. Wednesday morning kicks off with a 8ft northwest swell, but it’s got a cross-on wind from the west-northwest at 12 mph, and the water’s all choppy. The energy is moderate (1078), but the conditions are just not there. The afternoon improves a little – the swell bumps to 8ft with a longer 11-second period, and the wind drops to a light breeze from the east, but it’s still cross-shore. The water temperature is normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Thursday is a write-off. The morning has a 7ft swell with a short, weak 6-second period and a fresh 22 mph cross-shore wind. The energy is weak (547) and the whole thing is lumpy. The afternoon drops to 3ft but the wind is a cleaner cross-off from the west-southwest, though the swell is tiny and the period is a poor 9 seconds. Still not worth it.

Friday morning sees a 8ft swell from the west with a 13-second period – that’s a proper groundswell. The energy jumps to a strong 1881. The wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-off, so the waves are clean, but the tide might be a factor. It’s marginal but could be a sneaky session for intermediate surfers. The afternoon is a no-go: 15ft is too big for most, with a near gale cross-shore wind making it dangerous.

The weekend is rough. Saturday has 12ft to 8ft waves, but the wind is cross-shore or cross-on, and the chop is nasty. The morning has a fresh 22 mph breeze, and the afternoon is a little better with a moderate breeze, but the quality is poor. The energy is moderate to strong (2546 in the morning, 1399 in the afternoon), but the wind just ruins it.

Sunday, September 6, is a bit of a truce. The swell drops to 4ft to 4ft from the west, with a 8-9 second period. The wind swings offshore from the south at 12 mph, and the conditions are clean. The energy is low (238-268), but it’s the best we’ve seen. The Cove will be small and clean – a good one for a longboard or a fun mid-length. The water is still normal for the season.

Monday and Tuesday are blown out. The wind is fresh to strong, and the swell builds back up to 6ft to 13ft, but the cross-off and cross-shore winds make it a stormy mess. The energy is high (4369 on Tuesday afternoon), but it’s just not surfable for a paddle.

By Wednesday, September 9, the swell is huge at 13ft, but the wind is a strong cross-on, and the waves are messy. This is kite-surfing territory, not for us.

The second week is a mixed bag. Thursday, September 10, has a 8ft northwest swell with a clean cross-off wind, but the energy is moderate (780). It’s marginal, but the wind is better. Friday and Saturday are small (3ft to 6ft) with poor wind, so not much to get excited about.

The standout is Sunday, September 13. The swell is only 3ft, but it’s a clean west swell with a 10-11 second period. The wind is offshore from the south, gentle to moderate, and the conditions are clean. The energy is low (251-295), but it’s glassy. The Cove is a reef, so a long-period groundswell breaking straight is a caveat, but with offshore wind, it should be rideable and fun. The crowd is “sometimes” a problem, so expect a few locals out.

Monday, September 14, is small (2ft to 2ft) with a fresh offshore wind, but the energy is too low (67-104). Tuesday drops to 2ft, and it’s a no-go.

The last day of the window, Wednesday, September 16, has a 6ft west swell with an 11-second period. The wind is a moderate cross-off, and the energy is moderate (920). It’s clean but marginal – worth a look if you’re desperate.

Overall, the first week is mostly a waste. The one true standout is the morning of Sunday, September 6, for clean, small waves. The second week’s best is Sunday, September 13, for a glassy, small session. The long-range swell on Wednesday, September 16, is promising but less certain. Keep your eye on the skies, and don’t get too excited about the big stuff – it’s all wind and noise.

Rusty.

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