Japs Cove Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.72° N 118.34° W

Japs Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Japs Cove sea temperature is
22.4°C
3.4° 

Japs Cove surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Japs Cove surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with 501 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s 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 (Aug 29) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m 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 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 29th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 29th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Most Powerful 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table.

First up, we’re looking at Japs Cove, a sheltered reef set-up that only really works for the advanced crew. It’s inconsistent at the best of times, and sadly, this 16-day stretch is mostly a write-off. We’re talking a long, flat, and messy gap from now, right through until the first week of September. There’s barely a whisper of proper swell, and the wind is nearly always cross-onshore, chopping up what little bump there is.

The only real flicker of hope comes on Thursday, 3rd September, in the morning. The swell bumps up a little, hitting 4 ft from the SSW, with a decent period of 14 seconds and solid energy behind it (538). The wind is light and onshore, so it’s not clean, but the wave comment calls it “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions”—which, for Japs Cove’s standards in this bleak window, is about as good as it gets. It’s still not a standout, just the least poor option.

Then on Tuesday, 8th September, the morning shows some promise. Swell is small at 2 ft, but the period is long at 18 seconds from the SW, and the wind is glassy. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and the energy is moderate (278). It’s small, it’s inconsistent, and the spot rarely breaks, so don’t get your hopes up, but if you’re desperate for a groove, that glassy patch might just give you a couple of clean ones.

Water temp on the first day of note was 72°, which is a whopping 6° warmer than usual—very unusual for this time of year, so you can leave the thick rubber at home.

Honestly, this is a tough outlook. If it weren’t for those two brief windows, it’d be a total blank. For a spot that’s already inconsistent, this run of poor conditions is pretty normal for the area. Don’t hold your breath, but keep an eye on the forecasts—these things can change.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
14
0.6
S
11
0.4
SSW
17
0.6
SSW
17
0.4
SSW
19
0.9
SSW
17
0.8
SSW
17
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
14
0.6
S
12
0.6
S
12
0.5
S
11
0.4
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.7
S
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.8
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
74
85
119
186
125
475
373
402
392
249
239
180
134
112
103
67
68
108
161
205
212
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
15
WSW
10
SE
5
SSW
15
WSW
5
S
10
SW
20
W
10
SW
10
SSE
15
WSW
10
S
10
SSW
20
W
5
WSW
10
SW
20
WSW
10
W
10
WSW
20
WNW
5
W
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
High Tide
10:04AM1.73m
9:25PM2.16m
10:25AM1.81m
10:00PM2.08m
10:48AM1.89m
10:38PM1.95m
11:13AM1.95m
11:18PM1.78m
11:41AM2.00m
00:06AM1.58m
12:15PM2.03m
1:09AM1.38m
12:57PM2.03m
2:54AM1.23m
Low Tide
3:22PM0.87m
4:08AM0.30m
3:59PM0.78m
4:31AM0.39m
4:38PM0.71m
4:54AM0.51m
5:22PM0.67m
5:18AM0.65m
6:12PM0.65m
5:41AM0.81m
7:14PM0.65m
6:06AM0.96m
8:35PM0.64m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:24
7:23
7:22
7:21
7:20
7:19
7:16
 mm
Temp °C
24
26
24
25
26
26
24
24
23
22
22
22
21
21
21
21
22
21
21
22
22
Feels °C
27
28
25
28
28
27
26
24
22
24
22
23
21
20
20
21
20
21
20
20
20
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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