The Cove Surf Break

The Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 58.62° N 3.65° W

Issued: 12 pm 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove sea temperature is
12.0° C

Normal for this time of year

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 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, WNW swell with 392 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s 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 (Jul 07) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cove in the next 16 days are 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Tue 7th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 7th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 4PM (Fri 10th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk surf for The Cove.

Right off the bat, Tuesday morning has a bit of life – clean 3ft swell from the west with a 9-second period. Water temp is sitting at 54°, pretty much dead average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 232, and with glassy conditions and that light easterly breeze being totally calm, it’s actually looking good. The swell direction is right in the pocket for what this reef likes. Crowds can show up sometimes, so keep that in mind.

Tuesday afternoon stays clean, 3ft west swell, period 9 seconds, cross-off wind from the southeast at 3 mph. Energy dips a touch to 213, but still moderate. Surfable and tidy.

Wednesday morning brings a slight bump in size to 4ft from the west, still 9-second period, but a 9 mph cross-shore westerly starts to mess with the surface. Energy picks up to 300, but conditions are marginal – I’d skip it. Wednesday afternoon is worse, clear skies but the same cross-shore wind with 4ft waves and energy at 296. Poor.

Thursday morning: some clouds, light 3 mph cross-off from the southwest, 4ft west swell, 9 seconds, energy 257. Clean and good. Thursday afternoon really stands out – glassy, 3 mph north-northeast breeze, 5ft west swell, 9-second period, and energy jumps to 353. That’s the pick of the first few days. Clean, solid, and the swell direction is ideal.

Friday morning drops to 2ft, 12-second period from the west – that longer period brings better shape but smaller size. Energy is 193, glassy, but it’s weak. Okay for a longboard. Friday afternoon goes downhill with a 9 mph cross-onshore, 4ft west-northwest swell, energy 407 but the wind chops it up.

Saturday and Sunday mornings are mostly poor or very ordinary. Sunday morning has a tiny 2ft west swell, 8 seconds, energy down at 65, and clean with a light cross-off, but too small to get excited about.

Then Tuesday, July 14th morning: glassy, 4ft west swell, 10-second period, energy 242. That’s a real redemption window. Clean and solid. Don’t miss it.

After that, the surf fades. Wednesday July 15th through to the end of the run is mostly small, weak, and often blown out. There’s a bit of clean energy on Saturday July 18th with a glassy 2ft west-northwest swell, but the period is short at 7 seconds. Not worth paddling out for. The last decent-looking chance is Sunday July 19th morning – 2ft west-northwest swell, 8 seconds, light cross-off, but it’s ordinary at best.

Overall, the standout windows are Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon this week, with a bonus glassy session on Tuesday July 14th. Everything else is either too small, too choppy, or just not worth your time.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
0
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
W
9
1
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.2
W
9
1.3
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.2
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.1
W
9
0.6
W
12
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
W
10
1.2
W
10
1.1
W
9
0.9
WNW
9
0.7
W
8
0.6
W
8
0.5
W
7
0.5
WNW
7
0.6
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
152
159
332
239
282
325
224
320
184
103
392
332
267
203
123
64
41
28
29
59
265
Wind (km/h)
0
E
5
SE
20
W
15
W
15
WNW
5
E
5
SW
5
NNE
10
WNW
5
ESE
15
NW
20
WNW
15
WNW
10
N
10
SSE
5
ESE
15
ENE
10
SSE
5
ESE
15
E
15
SE
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:30PM4.17m
2:32AM4.42m
3:28PM4.15m
3:34AM4.35m
4:32PM4.19m
4:44AM4.32m
5:39PM4.30m
5:57AM4.37m
6:43PM4.48m
7:09AM4.50m
7:42PM4.70m
8:15AM4.66m
8:36PM4.92m
Low Tide
8:23PM2.27m
9:06AM1.88m
9:27PM2.34m
10:13AM1.93m
10:45PM2.31m
11:26AM1.91m
00:02AM2.14m
12:33PM1.81m
1:08AM1.85m
1:33PM1.67m
2:06AM1.53m
2:27PM1.53m
2:58AM1.22m
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:16
4:18
4:18
4:20
4:22
4:24
4:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
10:20
10:19
10:17
10:16
10:15
10:14
10:13
 mm
1
1
Temp °C
12
14
14
17
18
16
20
19
17
16
11
11
13
13
12
16
17
15
19
20
19
Feels °C
12
13
13
16
16
15
20
20
17
17
8
8
11
11
11
15
15
12
17
16
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
W
9
1
W
9
0.6
N
7
1.2
W
9
0.4
NNE
6
1.4
W
9
1.2
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.1
W
9
0.7
W
9
1.3
WNW
11
1.3
W
10
1.2
W
10
1.1
W
9
0.9
WNW
9
0.7
W
8
0.6
W
8
0.5
W
7
0.5
WNW
7
0.6
WNW
9
1.1
WNW
10
Energy kJ
152
159
34
239
14
325
224
320
184
74
392
332
267
203
123
64
41
28
29
59
265
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
N
8
0.7
N
7
0.3
NNE
8
0.5
N
7
0.3
N
6
0.4
NNE
10
0.4
NNE
10
0.3
NNE
10
0.6
W
12
0.3
NNE
9
0.2
NNE
8
0.2
NNE
8
0.1
NE
8
0.1
NE
7
0.1
N
7
0.2
NNW
6
0.1
N
7
0.1
W
21
0.3
WNW
12
0.1
W
20
Energy kJ
80
54
13
24
7
33
33
18
103
15
7
6
2
2
1
4
1
9
30
7
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
12
0.3
NNE
9
0.1
N
7
0.1
E
8
Energy kJ
3
16
1
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
W
9
0.8
W
5
1.3
W
9
0.3
ESE
2
0.3
SE
2
0.3
SE
2
0.4
SE
3
0.4
SE
3
Energy kJ
332
37
282
1
1
1
2
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Distance (km)
0
0
17
7
7
0
0
0
7
0
63
21
7
32
0
0
51
17
34
17
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
9
8
8
8
8
6
5
5
5
7
5
5
5
6
8
6
5
6
6
9
  • 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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