The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.3° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,064 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. 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 2.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 23rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 24th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Mon 24th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s have a look at The Cove’s 16-day forecast. This reef break points west-north-west and it’s fairly reliable. Water temp’s about average for the season, nothing crazy.

First up, Sunday the 23rd is a total dud. You’ve got a weak 3ft west-north-west swell, a messy cross-shore blowin’ 20 km/h, and the energy’s only 144. It’s just poor. Don’t bother.

Now, Monday the 24th of August? That’s the call. Morning’s glassy with a light south-easterly offshore breeze, and the swell’s a clean 7ft from the west-north-west, period at 11 seconds. Energy hits 942 – that’s a proper reef wave. Afternoon stays clean but drops off a little.

After that, it goes flat. From Tuesday the 25th through the end of August, the swell is small – mostly under 3ft – and the energy’s weak. Some mornings look clean, but the ocean’s just not got any push.

We get a pulse on Tuesday the 1st of September: 6ft from the west, but it’s blown out by a 25 km/h cross-shore. Wednesday the 2nd morning is clean with an offshore south wind and a 5ft west swell, but it’s only moderate energy. It’s okay, but not the one.

Then, look out for Sunday the 6th of September. That’s the standout. Morning brings a 8ft west swell with a long 12-second period, a light offshore south-south-easterly wind, and the energy is a massive 1656. That’s a heavy, powerful, clean reef. This one’s for experts only. Afternoon holds at 7ft, still offshore. Crowds are possible, so get out early.

Monday the 7th it’s going back to junk with a strong onshore wind.

So the two highlights: Monday the 24th of August for a great clean day, and Sunday the 6th of September for the serious power.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SE by Tue morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu morning). Mainly strong winds.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
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
2
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WNW
7
1
WNW
8
1.5
WNW
11
2
WNW
11
1.8
WNW
11
1.5
W
10
1.2
W
11
0.9
W
9
0.7
W
8
0.5
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
8
0.3
W
10
0.6
W
10
0.6
W
9
0.4
W
8
0.3
W
8
0.2
W
8
0.8
NE
4
0.9
N
6
1.1
N
7
0.9
NNW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
96
113
480
942
778
476
317
140
69
35
23
19
70
59
22
11
4
21
58
121
86
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
10
NW
5
SSE
10
SE
20
SE
20
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
15
ESE
25
ESE
30
ESE
25
ESE
30
E
30
ESE
30
E
35
E
35
ENE
35
ENE
25
ENE
10
ENE
10
ESE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
6:34PM4.01m
7:22AM3.94m
7:29PM4.24m
8:08AM4.17m
8:10PM4.48m
8:43AM4.38m
8:45PM4.70m
9:14AM4.57m
9:16PM4.89m
9:44AM4.72m
9:46PM5.03m
10:13AM4.81m
10:16PM5.11m
Low Tide
12:23PM2.55m
1:05AM2.25m
1:18PM2.35m
1:49AM1.97m
1:59PM2.11m
2:26AM1.71m
2:35PM1.88m
2:59AM1.48m
3:08PM1.68m
3:31AM1.30m
3:40PM1.52m
4:03AM1.17m
4:11PM1.43m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:50
5:52
5:56
5:58
6:00
6:01
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:40
8:37
8:36
8:32
8:30
8:27
8:23
 mm
1
4
13
2
Temp °C
14
15
13
17
18
14
16
16
12
17
17
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
15
13
Feels °C
12
13
13
13
14
11
11
11
8
12
12
11
10
10
10
9
8
8
11
14
11
  • 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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