Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSW swell with 604 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SSW 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 1.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Right off the bat, we’re looking at a pretty quiet spell for Japs Cove. This is a sheltered reef setup that only breaks for the experts, and it’s inconsistent at best. The first sniff of anything marginally rideable doesn’t show up until Saturday the 5th of September, and even then it’s a real struggle. The water is sitting at 74°F which is much warmer than normal for this time of year—basically you’re swimming in a bath.
The best window in the whole 16-day outlook is the morning of Sunday the 6th of September. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the S with a period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy reaches 476 (moderate). But the real winner here is the wind: glassy conditions. That’s a rare treat for Japs Cove, and it should make the place look as good as it gets. The swell direction is SSW, which is a solid match for the optimum. Keep in mind though, it’s a highly inconsistent spot and crowds are possible when it's clean.
The morning of Monday the 7th is the next best call, with 3ft S swell at 13 seconds, but the wind is cross-on from the W, so it won’t be as clean as Sunday. The morning of Friday the 11th shows a bit of hope with 2ft SW swell and light onshore wind, but it’s still marginal.
After that, things drop right off. There’s a long gap with no real options from the 13th of September right through to the end of the forecast. The swell stays tiny, mostly 1ft to 2ft, and the wind is consistently cross-on or onshore. The energy levels bounce around but never translate into anything worthwhile. The 18th of September sees a 2ft SW swell with a 20-second period, but the wind is cross-on again, so it’s just another day of watching the horizon.
So, to sum it up: Sunday the 6th is your window. Get it while it’s there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 83 | 207 | 319 | 364 | 310 | 322 | 425 | 277 | 273 | 233 | 508 | 487 | 318 | 571 | 555 | 420 | 378 | 283 | 190 | 135 | 235 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:57PM2.00m | 6:19AM1.25m | 3:20PM2.00m | 7:21AM1.38m | 4:51PM2.05m | 7:49AM1.50m | 6:06PM2.15m | 8:17AM1.63m | 7:06PM2.24m | 8:45AM1.75m | 7:57PM2.29m | 9:13AM1.86m | 8:44PM2.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:16PM0.58m | 7:05AM1.25m | 11:45PM0.44m | 10:05AM1.32m | 00:46AM0.29m | 11:53AM1.24m | 1:34AM0.17m | 1:00PM1.09m | 2:14AM0.11m | 1:53PM0.92m | 2:50AM0.11m | 2:40PM0.76m | 3:23AM0.17m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 18 | W 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 29 | 207 | 41 | 364 | 310 | 322 | 425 | 277 | 229 | 168 | 508 | 487 | 318 | 571 | 555 | 420 | 378 | 283 | 190 | 133 | 98 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | S 14 | SSW 16 | S 15 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | S 12 | SW 11 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 17 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 74 | 57 | 319 | 21 | 114 | 99 | 95 | 189 | 273 | 233 | 19 | 10 | 243 | 4 | 7 | 49 | 49 | 25 | 31 | 135 | 235 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSE 15 | SW 11 | W 4 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 14 | W 12 | — | W 5 | — | SW 10 | SW 21 | SW 22 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 83 | 19 | 47 | 48 | 43 | 59 | 6 | 48 | 30 | 138 | 3 | — | 13 | — | 4 | 18 | 18 | 93 | 94 | 31 | 28 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | W 4 | — | W 5 | — | — | W 3 | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 3 | WNW 5 | — | W 6 | W 4 |
| kJ | — | 21 | — | — | 7 | 9 | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | 12 | — | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 45 | — | 15 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 73 | 11 | 9 | 127 | 21 | 156 | 138 | 4 | 83 | 54 | 31 | 83 | 51 | 23 | 73 | 64 | 27 | 73 | 73 | 12 |
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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