
Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period, SW swell with 255 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good hard look at what’s on the cards for Japs Cove over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. We’re looking at a real dry spell for quality waves. The whole 16-day window is littered with poor surf conditions, and only one day even sniffs at being rideable, so buckle up.
The pattern starts on Sunday the 13th of September and right out of the gate, it’s a no-go. We’ve got a tiny 1.0ft SW groundswell, but at 19 seconds the period is super long, which can be good for shape at this reef setup, but it’s undone by a cross-onshore wind. The water is a very unusual 73°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. Overall, the combined swell energy is weak, only reading 134, and the conditions are just messy.
That same story plays out day after day for well over a week. From the 13th right through to the morning of Monday the 21st of September, every session is marked as “poor surf conditions.” We see small swell, generally between 1.0ft and 3ft, and the wind is mostly a cross-onshore breeze from the west or southwest, keeping the surface chopped up. It’s a real bummer. There’s a brief moment on Tuesday the 15th in the afternoon and again on Saturday the 19th in the morning where we get a clean, offshore wind from the SSW and S, but those swells are so tiny and weak, it’s hardly worth paddling out for.
Now, finally, on the morning of Monday the 21st of September, we get the only faint glimmer of hope. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SW with a 17-second period. The combined energy hits 401, which is moderate, so there’s some actual push in the water. The wind is light and cross-onshore from the SE, which will keep it from being perfect, but it’s the least choppy we’ll see. The guidance says it’s “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so timing the tide will be everything. Don’t expect fireworks, but if you’re desperate, this is your window. Get there early. Keep in mind this spot is a rare and inconsistent advanced reef break, so it’s not for beginners at all.
After that Monday morning, it goes right back to poor conditions. The swell stays around the 2ft to 3ft mark but the wind turns back cross-onshore or onshore for the remainder of the forecast period through to Monday the 28th of September. The energy dips back down, and the surface is choppy again. There’s no other standout worth mentioning.
So, to sum it up: a long, quiet, and messy run ahead. The only real possibility is the morning of September 21st for the most determined among you. For everyone else, it might be a good time to clean the wax off your board and wait for a better forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
58 | 202 | 51 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 75 | 39 | 200 | 59 | 86 | 144 | 74 | 121 | 184 | 184 | 131 | 199 | 252 | 199 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 8:20AM1.44m | 4:28PM1.73m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:15AM1.43m | 00:36AM0.56m | |||||||||
— | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
7:02 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 6 |
45 | 202 | 51 | 32 | 20 | 18 | 39 | 11 | 200 | 59 | 86 | 144 | 74 | 121 | 184 | 184 | 59 | 36 | 252 | 61 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SW 13 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 6 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 21 | S 12 | W 4 | W 5 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 18 |
12 | 44 | 31 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 64 | 39 | 10 | 37 | 33 | 71 | 44 | 5 | 13 | 61 | 90 | 199 | 33 | 199 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 9 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | S 12 | SW 14 | S 11 | SSW 14 | S 11 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 |
58 | 57 | 48 | 29 | 14 | 14 | 75 | 35 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 32 | 21 | 69 | 21 | 131 | 58 | 7 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | SE 2 | SSE 3 | SE 2 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 2 | — | — | W 5 | W 6 | — | W 6 | — |
19 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 14 | 91 | — | 33 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 156 | 19 | 156 | 73 | 0 | 156 | 51 | 15 | 4 | 51 | 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.










