Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, W swell with 338 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove this week:
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, this is Rusty. Let’s be honest, the next 16 days at The Cove look like a long, drawn-out battle with the wind. The early part of the period is a write-off, so we’re looking at a big gap before anything even gets close to worthwhile. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is pretty much normal for the time of year, so don’t expect any surprises there.
The first week, from Thursday the 16th right through to the evening of Sunday the 26th, is a tough stretch. The swell is small and weak, the wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and the wave energy is low. You’ll see a few pulses of energy, like a combined energy of 243 on the 23rd, but the wind is straight cross-shore at 16 mph, so it’s messy. On the 24th, the swell jumps up to 7 ft, but the period is a weak 11 seconds and the wind is cross-on at 22 mph, making it big, lumpy, and only for the hardcore. The wave energy hits 1027, but it’s a real beast. For the whole first week, the surf is just poor.
The second week starts to show a little more promise. The first real standout comes on Tuesday the 28th, early morning. The Cove is showing a 3 ft swell from the WNW, with a 10-second period, which is a decent groundswell. The wave energy is 211, so it’s got some punch. The real story is the wind: a light WSW breeze at 6 mph, blowing cross-offshore. That’s clean as a whistle. The break is a reef, so that longer period will wrap in nicely. It’s a fairly consistent spot, and crowds can happen, but for a Tuesday morning, you might score a few solo ones. That’s your best window. It’s not huge, 3 ft, but it’ll be clean and fun for an intermediate.
After that, the 29th has a morning session with a cross-off breeze, but the wind is stronger at 19 mph, and the swell is a touch smaller. It’s surfable but not as good. The rest of the period fades out into small, weak slop. So, if you’re hanging for a wave, wait for the 28th, and get out early. The rest is a write-off, so keep the board waxed and hope the forecasts change. This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 27 | 55 | 214 | 125 | 108 | 99 | 123 | 84 | 61 | 70 | 41 | 71 | 104 | 74 | 69 | 117 | 174 | 51 | 71 | 169 | 264 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:57AM4.92m | 10:59PM5.25m | 11:45AM4.85m | 11:44PM5.19m | 12:31PM4.70m | 00:29AM5.05m | 1:16PM4.50m | 1:14AM4.84m | 2:04PM4.29m | 2:03AM4.58m | 2:54PM4.11m | 2:57AM4.31m | 3:51PM3.98m | 4:00AM4.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:47PM1.44m | 5:20AM0.88m | 5:31PM1.54m | 6:05AM1.00m | 6:14PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.22m | 6:58PM1.91m | 7:38AM1.51m | 7:46PM2.13m | 8:29AM1.81m | 8:40PM2.34m | 9:27AM2.09m | 9:49PM2.49m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 4:31 | — | — | 4:31 | — | — | 4:33 | — | — | 4:35 | — | — | 4:37 | — | — | 4:39 | — | — | 4:41 | — | — |
 | — | — | 10:08 | — | — | 10:07 | — | — | 10:05 | — | — | 10:04 | — | — | 10:01 | — | — | 10:00 | — | — | 9:58 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | N 6 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | N 8 | W 9 | W 9 | N 7 | N 7 |
| kJ | 27 | 55 | 214 | 125 | 108 | 99 | 123 | 84 | 61 | 11 | 27 | 41 | 83 | 74 | 69 | 47 | 19 | 41 | 41 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | ENE 9 | N 5 | W 9 | N 6 | WNW 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | N 7 | N 7 | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 22 | 12 | 24 | 32 | 31 | — | 10 | 4 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | — | — | — | — | E 6 | E 7 | N 7 | ENE 9 | WNW 12 | NE 9 | NW 8 | N 6 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 31 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 | — | NNE 4 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 4 | NW 6 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 6 | 15 | 67 | — | 6 | — | 70 | 41 | 71 | 104 | 61 | 66 | 117 | 174 | 51 | 71 | 169 | 264 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 183 | 16 | 65 | 87 | 63 | 87 | 65 | 7 | 34 | 125 | 46 | 46 | 825 | 63 | 311 | 739 | 778 | 453 | 1363 | 36 | |
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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