The Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
13.0° C
0.1° 

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 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,739 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period with NNW 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 (Jul 26) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 26th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 26th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 25th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for The Cove. We’ve got a bit of a frustrating start, but the second half of the outlook has some real promise.

The first few days are a write-off, I’m not gonna lie. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a no-go – the wind is howling out of the WNW around 15 to 22 mph, cross-onshore to cross, and it’s just choppy and messy. The swell is there, around 4 ft to 7 ft, with a short period of 7 to 8 seconds, but the conditions are poor. Not worth paddling out. Friday the 24th is a bit better in the morning with a 8 ft swell from the W and a longer 9 second period, combined energy of 908 (moderate), and the wind is cross-off at 22 mph making it clean, but it’s a strong breeze. Saturday the 25th sees a 7 ft swell from the WNW with a 10 second period, but the wind is cross and onshore, so it’s still not clean.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday the 26th morning is the first real standout. The Cove is a reef break, fairly consistent, and it’s exposed to the NW swell. We’ve got a 5 ft swell from the W with a 10 second period, combined energy of 523 (moderate), and the wind is a light ESE breeze around 6 mph, blowing cross-off. That’s going to be clean. The water temp is 55°, which is about average for the time of year. This is a good session for intermediates, but the swell is over 5 ft, so beginners might find it a bit much. The wind is light and the waves will have shape.

However, the absolute standout is Monday the 27th. The morning is looking excellent for experienced surfers. We’ve got a 7 ft swell from the W with a 10 second period, combined energy of 1098 (strong), and the wind is SW at 9 mph, cross-off and clean. The afternoon brings a 6 ft swell from the W with a 10 second period, and the wind swings to a light SSW at 9 mph, going offshore. That’s a clean, groomed wave. The swell is over 7 ft, so this is for solid intermediate to expert surfers only. The break can get crowded sometimes, so be prepared for company.

After Monday, things drop off. Tuesday the 28th through to the end of the month sees the wind picking up again, and the swell drops. There’s a bit of a lull from the 31st of July through to the 5th of August, with small, weak swells around 2 ft to 4 ft, and the combined energy drops to weak levels (96 to 143). The wind is mostly cross-off, but the waves are just too small for any real fun.

A small pulse shows up again on Thursday the 6th of August. The morning has a 4 ft swell from the W with a short 7 second period, combined energy of 195 (weak), but the wind is light SE at 6 mph, cross-off and clean. The afternoon is better with a 4 ft swell from the W and a longer 9 second period, combined energy of 250 (moderate), and the same light wind. It’s surfable, but not the quality of the 27th.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a dud, but Sunday the 26th is a good, clean session. Monday the 27th is the one to mark on the calendar if you’re experienced – it’s the best on offer. The second week is mostly small and weak, with a final small window on the 6th of August.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Mainly strong winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon).

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
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
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
1
3
2
2
4
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WNW
8
1.3
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
8
1.6
WNW
7
1.9
WNW
7
2.3
WNW
8
2.4
W
9
2.5
W
8
3
W
9
3
WNW
10
2.5
WNW
10
2.5
WNW
10
1.6
W
10
1.7
NNW
9
1.8
W
10
1.9
W
10
2.2
W
10
2.4
W
10
2.1
W
9
1.7
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
413
237
231
276
383
688
929
997
1219
1625
1352
1196
509
477
600
711
919
1057
763
506
318
Wind (km/h)
25
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
W
35
W
30
WSW
35
WSW
45
W
35
SW
35
WNW
30
WNW
20
WNW
20
NW
15
NW
15
WSW
20
WSW
20
SSW
10
SSE
30
SSW
50
WSW
35
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:51PM3.98m
4:00AM4.08m
4:54PM3.95m
5:13AM3.94m
6:01PM4.00m
6:29AM3.92m
7:01PM4.14m
7:34AM4.01m
7:51PM4.32m
8:24AM4.15m
8:32PM4.50m
9:05AM4.29m
9:09PM4.66m
Low Tide
9:49PM2.49m
10:35AM2.28m
11:12PM2.51m
11:45AM2.35m
00:26AM2.39m
12:46PM2.31m
1:24AM2.19m
1:36PM2.21m
2:10AM1.96m
2:18PM2.06m
2:49AM1.76m
2:55PM1.92m
3:24AM1.58m
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
light rain
cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:41
4:43
4:46
4:48
4:50
4:52
4:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:58
9:55
9:53
9:52
9:50
9:47
9:45
 mm
2
2
1
2
2
Temp °C
13
13
13
15
15
14
15
16
14
13
13
12
12
13
13
14
16
15
18
17
13
Feels °C
9
9
8
10
8
8
9
8
7
6
7
8
8
9
8
10
12
12
13
8
5
  • 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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