The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

The Cove is your only spot on the table for this 16-day window, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on it. It’s an exposed reef break that’s fairly consistent, best with a NW swell. The water temp? Just about average for the time of year.

The start is a bit rough. Friday 11th looks messy with a 35 km/h WSW cross-off wind and a 7ft W swell on a short 7-second period—combined energy sitting at 470, so not much grunt, and the conditions are poor. Friday afternoon settles a touch, 6ft at 9 seconds, but still just marginal.

Saturday 12th is a write-off. We’re looking at a 50 km/h wind and a big 12ft short-period swell—strong energy (3581), but it’s a washing machine for all but the most committed, and even then it’s poor.

Now, Sunday 13th morning is where we start to see a glimmer. The wind drops right back to a gentle 15 km/h cross-off, the swell drops to 6ft from the WNW with an 11-second period, and combined energy is 923. It’s clean and expect very good surf conditions. Sunday afternoon stays clean-ish but goes cross-on, so it’s not as tidy.

Monday 14th is a gem for the intermediate surfer. Morning has clean offshore winds from the south at 20 km/h, a 3ft NNW swell with a long 12-second period—440 energy—and it’s clean. Afternoon keeps the offshore theme, SSW at 15 km/h, 4ft W swell at 9 seconds, 487 energy. Both sessions have good surf conditions. This is your standout window for the first week: clean, manageable, fun waves at The Cove.

Tuesday 15th through Wednesday 16th goes flat and choppy. Cross-on winds, rain, lumpy conditions—just not worth paddling out.

Thursday 17th morning picks up a bit with a 8ft W swell, 9 seconds, 996 energy, and a cross-off breeze, but it’s only marginal. Thursday afternoon jumps to 12ft at 13 seconds, a big 4629 energy, but with a strong cross wind—lumpy, not fun.

Friday 18th and Saturday 19th mornings keep the big swell (10ft to 12ft) and strong cross-off winds. Saturday afternoon 19th sees a massive 21ft W swell at 15 seconds—combined energy 17321—which the file flags as too big for this break. Only for experts, and even then, it’s pushing limits.

Now, hold onto your board. Sunday 20th morning is the absolute standout of the whole outlook. You’ve got a 20ft W swell at 14 seconds, 13352 energy, and a fresh offshore south wind at 30 km/h. It’s clean. This is a serious groundswell, very long period—the kind that will wrap into The Cove beautifully if you’ve got the skill. It’s marked as excellent for experienced surfers. If you can handle big reef waves, this is the session. Sunday afternoon goes stormy, so get it early.

Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd are big and messy with cross winds. Wednesday 23rd is a no-go with gale-force winds. But then Thursday 24th morning delivers again: a 15ft NNW swell at 10 seconds, 4685 energy, with a light offshore breeze from the south—clean as a whistle. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Another big day for the crew who knows what they’re doing.

The final days, 25th and 26th, fade out with cross-on winds and poor conditions.

Best on offer: Sunday 20th morning for the big wave experts—20ft, offshore, clean. For the everyday surfer, Monday 14th morning is your pick: clean, 3ft, offshore, and just lovely.

Rusty out.

Read more