Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with 223 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 0.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM. 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+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
How’s it going? Rusty here, and I’ve got to tell you, the next couple of weeks at Japs Cove are looking proper flat and messy. There’s a whole lot of nothing on the horizon, and I mean a long stretch of it. From now until the end of August, you’re looking at knee-high slop with junk winds. It’s one of those times where you’d honestly be better off doing anything else.
The only real glimmer is on the morning of Wednesday, August 19th. The swell will be tiny – about 2ft from the SSW – but the wind is glassy at 5 km/h, so it’ll be clean. For this sheltered reef, that’s as good as it gets in this window. The water is running 71°F, which is a solid 5°F warmer than the usual for this time of year – super noticeable. The waves will be soft and crumbly, nothing spectacular, but if you’re desperate, that’s the session to chase.
Past that, the swell just dies. We’re talking 1ft to 2ft for days, and every session is blown out by cross-shore or cross-onshore winds. The energy readings are weak – mostly under 300. The period is around 13-18 seconds, which is fine for shape, but there’s just no water moving. Japs Cove is a spot that breaks rarely as it is, so this dry spell is normal, but it doesn’t make it any easier to take.
Around the 29th, there’s a little nudge – swell bumps to 3ft from the SSW, and the energy jumps to 511-619, which is moderate. But the wind is still cross-on, so it’ll be lumpy and uninviting. The 30th looks similar – marginal at best. Still nothing you’d set an alarm for.
The first of September rolls in and we’re back to weak, small, and poor – 2ft is nowhere near enough. Honestly, there are no good surf options in this whole 16-day stretch. It’s a proper blank run. But keep in mind, forecasts can change, and for an inconsistent reef like this, it tends not to stay flat forever. When it comes, it’ll come. Until then, I’ll be here, watching the tide charts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 180 | 146 | 109 | 142 | 209 | 217 | 125 | 118 | 118 | 115 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 50 | 50 | 120 | 127 | 111 | 112 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:48AM1.36m | 1:51PM1.88m | 3:40AM1.21m | 2:44PM1.83m | 3:56PM1.81m | 8:34AM1.36m | 5:13PM1.84m | 8:37AM1.43m | 6:14PM1.92m | 8:51AM1.49m | 7:01PM2.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:03PM0.79m | 6:56AM0.97m | 9:28PM0.80m | 7:11AM1.13m | 11:09PM0.74m | 00:27AM0.64m | 10:12AM1.35m | 1:17AM0.53m | 12:01PM1.32m | 1:55AM0.42m | 12:56PM1.25m | 2:26AM0.34m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 16 | W 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 |
| kJ | 42 | 50 | 37 | 48 | 36 | 217 | 21 | 118 | 118 | 115 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 12 | 42 | 120 | 9 | 57 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 8 | SSW 15 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | S 14 |
| kJ | 180 | 146 | 70 | 142 | 209 | 5 | 125 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 42 | 29 | 17 | 58 | 111 | 103 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SW 19 | SW 20 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 16 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 2 | 42 | 109 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 56 | 14 | 11 | 50 | 49 | 47 | 50 | 50 | 58 | 127 | 20 | 112 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 64 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | 15 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 11 | 51 | 11 | 4 | 127 | 10 | 10 | 127 | 9 | 11 | 73 | 9 | 11 | 51 | 11 | 77 | 127 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Los Angeles County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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