Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 17s period, SSW swell with 200 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with SW 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 (Sep 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM. 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+) | 5AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight up: the outlook for Japs Cove over the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, frustrating stretch of mostly small, messy, onshore-affected surf. This is a sheltered reef setup that needs just the right combination, and we just aren’t seeing it.
The swell that does show up is tiny – mostly 1 to 3 feet – and comes from the southwest, which is the direction Japs Cove actually wants (optimum swell from SSW). But the period is all over the place, from a weak 6 seconds up to a more promising 19 seconds. Even when the period gets longer, the size is just too small to make it worthwhile, and the combined wave energy stays in the low-to-moderate range, typically between 100 and 300 (moderate energy). The water temperature anomaly is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
The real killer is the wind. For the entire forecast period, it’s almost always a cross-onshore breeze, mostly from the SSE, S, or WSW, with only a couple of brief moments of light onshore wind. That means the surface will be choppy or at least rippled nearly all the time. On Saturday the 19th, there is a morning with very light onshore wind from the south, but the swell is still only 2 feet. It’s not going to be clean enough to get excited about.
There are no standout days here. Nothing is big enough or clean enough to recommend paddling out. This break is rated for advanced surfers only, and even they would struggle to find a wave worth the effort. The inconsistency of the break is a factor here – it rarely fires, and this stretch is a perfect example of why. For kite surfers, the combination of persistent cross-onshore winds and small, weak swell might make the bay look a bit more interesting, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a write-off.
So, honestly, if you’re hanging on for a wave at Japs Cove, you’re looking at a blank run that lasts the entire 16-day window. The forecasts can always change, but as it stands, there’s nothing on offer. Keep an eye on the charts, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 13 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 103 | 100 | 96 | 63 | 45 | 167 | 48 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 88 | 39 | 200 | 100 | 86 | 144 | 74 | 121 | 184 | 184 | 131 |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 10:37AM2.08m | 10:55PM1.86m | 11:05AM2.08m | 11:40PM1.67m | 11:33AM2.05m | 00:30AM1.48m | 12:02PM1.98m | 1:37AM1.31m | 12:37PM1.89m | 4:36AM1.23m | 1:24PM1.80m | 2:45PM1.73m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:52PM0.50m | 4:49AM0.63m | 5:36PM0.51m | 5:12AM0.81m | 6:24PM0.56m | 5:32AM0.98m | 7:20PM0.64m | 5:45AM1.12m | 8:35PM0.71m | 10:16PM0.72m | 11:43PM0.65m | ||||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 6 |
| kJ | 21 | 100 | 63 | 48 | 33 | 167 | 47 | 32 | 19 | 17 | 40 | 20 | 200 | 100 | 86 | 144 | 74 | 121 | 184 | 184 | 61 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 10 | SW 13 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 5 | SW 15 | W 5 | SW 21 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 103 | 35 | 96 | 63 | 35 | 44 | 17 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 88 | 39 | 5 | 60 | 5 | 71 | 32 | 110 | 69 | 61 | 131 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | S 10 | WSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 15 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 14 | S 10 | SW 21 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 37 | 7 | 15 | 58 | 45 | 57 | 48 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 75 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 32 | 7 | 72 | 6 | 21 | 20 | 59 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | W 4 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 3 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 34 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 51 | 9 | 10 | 73 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 127 | 21 | 156 | 127 | 23 | 73 | 127 | 4 |
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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