Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, W swell with 340 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with W 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for The Cove.
There’s a bit of a slow start, and honestly, the next handful of days are a write-off. You’ve got weak swell and shifty winds messing up the lineup. We’re looking at a gap with no real recommendations until we get to Thursday morning, July 9th. That’s the first time things come together.
Thursday morning, July 9th is your clear standout of the first week. The Cove is seeing a 4 ft swell out of the west, but the real story is the wind. It’s a clean, light 5 mph offshore breeze from the south. That’s going to put a glassy face on the waves, making them smooth and tidy for a session. The combined swell energy is moderate (235), and the water temp is 54°, right about average for this time of year, so a spring suit will do you fine.
After that morning, the surf drops off again. Friday and Saturday look small and chop-ridden with onshore or cross-onshore winds. The rest of that week and into the second week is mostly puny – we’re talking swell heights of 2 ft or less, with weak energy readings dropping below 100. We’re looking at another long gap of poor to flat conditions all the way through to the start of the following week.
Now, while there’s nothing else worth paddling out for in the near-term, the long-range forecast throws in a bit of a wildcard. Around Monday, July 20th, the swell picks up to a solid 6 ft from the west. The combined energy jumps right up to a strong 553. That’s serious size. But here’s the catch – it’s blowing a moderate cross-onshore wind at 15 to 20 mph. That’s going to chop it up pretty badly. This setup looks far more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The waves will be there, but they’ll be messy and hard to ride cleanly. Just keep an eye on it, the wind might swing in your favour as it gets closer.
Until then, the pick of the whole period is that Thursday morning session. It’s a short window, so be on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 201 | 327 | 340 | 196 | 299 | 184 | 97 | 326 | 332 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 64 | 43 | 40 | 43 | 27 | 158 | 265 | 281 | 158 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:28PM4.15m | 3:34AM4.35m | 4:32PM4.19m | 4:44AM4.32m | 5:39PM4.30m | 5:57AM4.37m | 6:43PM4.48m | 7:09AM4.50m | 7:42PM4.70m | 8:15AM4.66m | 8:36PM4.92m | 9:14AM4.82m | 9:27PM5.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:27PM2.34m | 10:13AM1.93m | 10:45PM2.31m | 11:26AM1.91m | 00:02AM2.14m | 12:33PM1.81m | 1:08AM1.85m | 1:33PM1.67m | 2:06AM1.53m | 2:27PM1.53m | 2:58AM1.22m | 3:16PM1.44m | 3:47AM0.99m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:18 | — | — | 4:18 | — | — | 4:20 | — | — | 4:22 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:24 | — | — | 4:26 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:19 | — | — | 10:17 | — | — | 10:16 | — | — | 10:15 | — | — | 10:14 | — | — | 10:13 | — | — | 10:12 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 14 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | NNE 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 11 | W 10 |
| kJ | 24 | 14 | 340 | 196 | 299 | 184 | 97 | 326 | 332 | 267 | 203 | 129 | 64 | 43 | 40 | 43 | 27 | 158 | 265 | 281 | 158 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | W 12 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NE 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | W 20 | E 6 | — | W 18 |
| kJ | 15 | 7 | 8 | 39 | 38 | 17 | 72 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 12 | — | — | — | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | E 8 | W 21 | W 13 | W 20 | W 19 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 7 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | ENE 2 | E 6 |
| kJ | 201 | 327 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 303 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 32 | 7 | 32 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 170 | 0 | 9 | 16 | 0 |
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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