Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with 7,793 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with WNW 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break it down for The Cove. This reef break is fairly consistent, and the water temp is about 54°F, which is normal for this time of year.
The pattern for the next couple of weeks is a slow start with a big spike in energy later, but the wind’s going to be a factor. The best clean waves will come when the wind lays down.
This Saturday, September 12, is a rough start. The morning has 8ft swell from the WNW, but that 25 mph SW wind makes it ugly. The afternoon jumps to 12ft, but it’s still blown out.
Sunday, September 13, is where we get our first good window. The morning is a cleaner 7ft WNW swell (11 second period) with light cross-off wind, but the afternoon is the gem. It drops to 6ft from the WNW, and it’s glassy—dead calm, north wind at 3 mph. That’s going to be clean, fun reef waves.
Monday, September 14, drops off. The morning is a smaller 3ft NNW swell, clean but weak. The afternoon gets 4ft from the west, again glassy. Surfable but nothing special.
Tuesday, September 15, is a complete loss. Wind and chop ruin it.
From Wednesday, September 16, through Friday, September 18, the swell builds. By Friday morning, September 18, we’re looking at 13ft from the WNW (13 second period) with moderate energy. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but at over 8ft, this is for experts only.
The big standout? I’m calling Sunday, September 27 morning. That’s a 13ft WNW groundswell with a very long 14-second period, offshore wind from the south at 16 mph, and the energy is massive. That’s a serious, clean, powerful reef wave for experienced surfers only. It’s a long way out, so don’t bet the farm, but that’s the session to aim for.
The Saturday before (September 26) also has big WNW swell, but the wind is more cross-on, so it’s not as clean.
First week has a few small, clean windows. The second week is where the heavy stuff rolls in. That Sunday the 27th is the one to watch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat morning, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the W by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | W 13 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2377 | 3440 | 1928 | 1008 | 596 | 339 | 313 | 262 | 329 | 311 | 233 | 657 | 459 | 452 | 509 | 1212 | 3462 | 7793 | 5275 | 3352 | 3035 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:12AM5.01m | 10:14PM5.32m | 10:45AM4.94m | 10:49PM5.21m | 11:16AM4.81m | 11:23PM5.00m | 11:47AM4.64m | 11:58PM4.71m | 12:19PM4.44m | 00:35AM4.38m | 12:56PM4.22m | 1:21AM4.04m | 1:43PM4.00m | 2:27AM3.75m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:05PM1.28m | 4:31AM0.90m | 4:40PM1.32m | 5:06AM1.09m | 5:15PM1.44m | 5:39AM1.36m | 5:50PM1.64m | 6:12AM1.69m | 6:27PM1.89m | 6:47AM2.04m | 7:09PM2.16m | 7:27AM2.38m | 8:04PM2.43m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:27 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 13 | SE 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 9 | N 8 | W 13 | N 9 |
| kJ | 2377 | 8 | 1928 | 1008 | 596 | 289 | 189 | 262 | 329 | 311 | 233 | 192 | 459 | 452 | 108 | 65 | 32 | 26 | 12 | 3352 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | — | — | NNW 15 | NNW 13 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | — | N 7 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 42 | 165 | 339 | 313 | 232 | 151 | 104 | 71 | — | 135 | 331 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | WNW 13 | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | — | W 4 | W 5 | WNW 10 | NW 8 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | WNW 14 | WNW 13 | — | W 11 |
| kJ | 40 | 3440 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 40 | 37 | 657 | 145 | — | 509 | 1212 | 3462 | 7793 | 5275 | — | 3035 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 421 | 593 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 63 | 46 | 678 | 785 | 176 | 21 | 10 | 491 | 531 | 523 | 421 | 421 | 10 |
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.
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