Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with 522 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Japs Cove this week:
The surf forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Japs Cove in the next 16 days are 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming up at Japs Cove. I’ve gotta be straight with you – this forecast is a tough one. The whole 16-day stretch is a bit of a bummer, with nothing but "poor surf conditions" flagged across every single window. The waves are small, the wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and there’s no real quality on offer.
The first bit of action we can talk about is from Tuesday, 28 July, right through the next couple of weeks. The swell hangs around the 1.0ft to 3ft mark, mostly from the SSW or SW, with periods that bounce around a bit – from 12 seconds up to 20 seconds later on. The combined energy is all over the place, starting off moderate (581) then dropping to weak (76) by the 6th of August, before climbing back up to moderate (308) by the 12th. But here’s the thing: the wind is never on your side. It’s either a cross-offshore or a light cross-on breeze, which messes with the surface.
For a reef break like Japs Cove, it’s inconsistent at the best of times, and this run is no exception. The wave heights are tiny – well under 5ft – so it’s not too big for anyone, but the shape and quality just aren’t there. The water temperature is listed as 73°F with a 7°F anomaly, which is *much warmer than normal* for this time of year. That’s a real standout, but it doesn’t help the surf.
There’s no standout day here. Nothing worth paddling out for. The best you can hope for is a few crumbly small waves on the 30th of July (Thursday morning) when the wind is light and straight onshore, but even then it’s scored as poor. The 12th of August (Wednesday) has the biggest combined energy (308) and a 2ft SSW swell with a 18-second period, but again, the wind is cross-on or onshore. That long period (18 seconds) is a groundswell, which at a reef could sometimes offer some shape, but with the wind and the tiny size, it’s not going to deliver.
Honestly, I’d keep the board in the car and save the energy. It’s a blank run for paddle surfing. The coast looks more interesting for a kite session if the wind picks up, but for us wave hunters, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 528 | 510 | 417 | 318 | 362 | 280 | 215 | 193 | 329 | 329 | 284 | 222 | 202 | 178 | 52 | 47 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 41 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:28AM1.54m | 9:10PM2.25m | 10:53AM1.58m | 9:43PM2.23m | 11:19AM1.62m | 10:16PM2.17m | 11:44AM1.67m | 10:50PM2.06m | 12:10PM1.72m | 11:26PM1.90m | 12:38PM1.78m | 00:07AM1.71m | 1:10PM1.84m | 1:00AM1.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:58PM1.09m | 4:24AM0.19m | 3:34PM1.05m | 4:52AM0.21m | 4:11PM1.01m | 5:18AM0.28m | 4:50PM0.99m | 5:42AM0.37m | 5:34PM0.97m | 6:06AM0.49m | 6:25PM0.94m | 6:30AM0.64m | 7:28PM0.91m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 528 | 510 | 417 | 318 | 362 | 280 | 215 | 193 | 329 | 329 | 284 | 222 | 202 | 178 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 43 | 42 | 27 | 24 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 15 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 26 | 19 | 30 | 172 | 165 | 128 | 134 | 130 | 12 | 18 | 34 | 14 | 26 | 18 | 52 | 37 | 17 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 38 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | SSE 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 27 | 51 | 162 | 29 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 33 | 33 | 15 | 15 | 45 | 47 | 45 | 15 | 7 | 41 | 41 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 64 | 10 | 10 | 41 | 10 | 11 | 73 | 0 | 11 | 127 | 11 | 11 | 127 | 11 | 11 | 64 | 9 | 11 | 83 | 11 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Los Angeles County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Japs Cove Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Japs Cove provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Japs Cove can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Japs 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 (Japs 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 Japs 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.
Japs Cove is 5 km (3 miles) from Rancho Palos Verdes. If you plan a vacation in Los Angeles County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Rancho Palos Verdes. Rancho Palos Verdes has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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