Surf Forecasts:
The Cove surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, W swell with 5,734 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. We’ve got the full 16-day outlook for The Cove, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s get into it.
The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday the 1st through to Wednesday the 4th, the wind is a problem, and the wave quality is poor. We’re looking at a lot of messy, lumpy, or choppy conditions with moderate to fresh breezes, so there’s nothing to get excited about. The afternoon of the 4th sees a big jump in size with 13ft of swell from the W, but it’s wrapped in a strong cross-shore wind, making it a messy, blown-out mess. Not worth a paddle.
The real standout, and the only one I’m calling out, is Wednesday the 9th. The Cove is the spot to be. We’ve got a solid 12ft of swell from the NNW, and the morning is glassy – absolutely dead calm, zero wind. That’s a rare treat. The combined energy is strong, clocking in at 1703, and the wave comment says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is a big, powerful reef break, so this is strictly for the crew who know what they’re doing. The afternoon stays clean with a light offshore breeze and 10ft, so you’ll get a full day of it. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
After that, Thursday the 10th through the weekend of the 13th, the surf drops right off. We’re talking small, weak energy, with heights under 3ft and combined energy values dropping into the double digits. There’s nothing to chase until Monday the 14th. That morning brings a clean 4ft of swell from the W with a long 11-second period, and the wind is light offshore. The afternoon turns glassy again. It’s a modest wave, but it’ll be clean and fun. Tuesday the 15th morning is similar but smaller, with 3ft and a nice 13-second period, clean and light. The afternoon turns choppy again.
So, the short version: if you’re a competent surfer, Wednesday the 9th is the absolute best bet for a solid, clean, powerful session. The second week is a waiting game, with a small, clean window on Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th mornings. The long gap from the 4th to the 9th is a dead zone, and then again from the 10th to the 14th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Tue morning, light winds from the ENE by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Fri night, light winds from the S by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 35 | 148 | 200 | 833 | 855 | 586 | 246 | 157 | 672 | 2079 | 3527 | 5734 | 1948 | 904 | 329 | 137 | 119 | 164 | 1372 | 1122 | 455 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:47AM4.72m | 11:55PM4.92m | 12:25PM4.57m | 00:38AM4.69m | 1:11PM4.38m | 1:32AM4.40m | 2:10PM4.17m | 2:47AM4.12m | 3:31PM4.04m | 4:29AM4.01m | 5:06PM4.09m | 6:11AM4.14m | 6:28PM4.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:43AM1.23m | 5:54PM1.57m | 6:21AM1.42m | 6:34PM1.76m | 7:04AM1.70m | 7:23PM1.99m | 7:57AM2.02m | 8:29PM2.21m | 9:12AM2.31m | 10:04PM2.29m | 10:53AM2.41m | 11:44PM2.10m | 12:19PM2.25m | 00:56AM1.73m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 7:59 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | N 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | NNE 8 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | NNE 8 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 35 | 21 | 21 | 833 | 855 | 586 | 246 | 157 | 68 | 31 | 11 | — | — | 11 | 329 | 137 | 119 | 164 | 7 | 1122 | 455 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SE 5 | N 13 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | — | W 7 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | N 9 | N 9 | NNE 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 26 | 1 | 3 | 99 | 43 | 18 | — | 4 | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 40 | 39 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 86 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | SE 7 |
| kJ | 10 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | W 6 | WNW 7 | — | — | SE 4 | W 4 | W 5 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 13 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | — | SE 4 | SSE 4 | S 4 | W 9 | — | — |
| kJ | 9 | 148 | 200 | — | — | 17 | 30 | 29 | 672 | 2079 | 3527 | 5734 | 1948 | 904 | — | 17 | 15 | 44 | 1372 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 593 | 412 | 35 | 9 | 9 | 50 | 148 | 7 | 1085 | 621 | 759 | 421 | 423 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 171 | 7 |
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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