Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SSW swell with 240 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. 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 0.6m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. I’ve had a good look at the charts for this spot, and I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. The finder is showing zero recommendations across the entire 16-day window, so we’ll be leaning on the guidance to paint the picture.
The only break on offer is Japs Cove, a sheltered reef set-up that’s inconsistent and usually needs a specific SSW swell to really light up. It’s an advanced spot, but frankly, it’s not going to be doing much. The water is sitting at 72°, which is 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a seriously unusual anomaly, so you’ll be swimming in bathwater more than surfing.
The first week is a write-off. From Monday the 3rd right through to Sunday the 10th, we’re looking at tiny, weak swell – 1ft to 2ft from the SSW – with combined energy readings mostly in the low 100s (100 to 210). That’s weak to moderate energy at best. The wind is a constant problem too, mostly cross-onshore or onshore, with a light breeze that keeps things rippled and choppy. Every single session is flagged as “poor surf conditions.” There’s nothing to get excited about.
The second week doesn’t get any better. From Monday the 11th all the way to Tuesday the 18th, the swell stays stubbornly small, between 1.0ft and 2ft, and while the period stretches out a bit – hitting 18 to 20 seconds on a few afternoons like the 11th and 14th – that long-period groundswell is wasted on a tiny, sheltered reef. The combined energy does bump up into the 200s and even 300s by the 15th (302 to 305), but the wind is still a mess. On the 17th afternoon, we see a weird spike: 3ft from the west with a short, choppy 7-second period, and onshore SSW wind at 12 mph. That’s just junk.
Honestly, the whole 16 days is a blank run. For a spot like Japs Cove, which is already inconsistent, this kind of flat, wind-affected stretch isn’t unusual. It’s a tough time to be a surfer here. Don’t bother paddling out – the only thing that might be interesting is the moderate cross-shore winds on the 16th and 18th, which could be a look for the kite crew, but not for paddle surfing.
Keep your hopes up, though – forecasts can change, and it tends not to stay this poor forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 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 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 43 | 42 | 41 | 60 | 56 | 102 | 71 | 70 | 69 | 62 | 61 | 81 | 146 | 143 | 174 | 172 | 147 | 223 | 125 | 121 | 120 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:10PM1.84m | 1:00AM1.50m | 1:49PM1.90m | 2:19AM1.30m | 2:40PM1.95m | 4:36AM1.19m | 3:45PM2.02m | 6:57AM1.25m | 4:59PM2.12m | 8:00AM1.37m | 6:08PM2.24m | 8:39AM1.49m | 7:08PM2.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:28PM0.91m | 6:56AM0.79m | 8:49PM0.86m | 7:26AM0.94m | 10:27PM0.73m | 8:09AM1.09m | 11:55PM0.54m | 9:37AM1.21m | 1:00AM0.33m | 11:25AM1.23m | 1:52AM0.15m | 12:44PM1.17m | 2:37AM0.01m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SW 13 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 12 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 14 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 15 | 42 | 13 | 14 | 37 | 11 | 7 | 70 | 17 | 8 | 61 | 61 | 146 | 143 | 174 | 172 | 147 | 223 | 125 | 121 | 120 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | W 12 |
| kJ | 43 | 41 | 38 | 37 | 56 | 102 | 71 | 12 | 69 | 62 | 8 | 81 | 84 | 59 | 52 | 36 | 36 | 37 | 19 | 24 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 13 | W 4 | W 4 | SSW 9 | W 5 | W 4 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 42 | 9 | 41 | 60 | — | 2 | 13 | 3 | 15 | 37 | 39 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 15 | — | — | 13 | — | — | 11 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 128 | 9 | 11 | 128 | 0 | 156 | 51 | 11 | 11 | 73 | 9 | 11 | 127 | 9 | 10 | 156 | 9 | 11 | 202 | 9 |
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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