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: Monday 21 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SW swell with 338 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 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 11AM. 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+) | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Lookin' at the charts for Japs Cove, and I gotta level with you—it's a tough stretch. This spot is a sheltered, advanced-only reef break that's already inconsistent, and for the entire 16-day window, the conditions are just locked into a poor run. There's simply no good surf on offer right now.
We're starting with the swell on Monday the 14th, with a tiny 1ft SSW groundswell riding a very long 18-second period. That long period suggests some real energy for its size, but the combined swell energy is weak, reading at only (96). The real killer is the 12 mph cross-shore wind from the SE, which is gonna chop it all up. The water temp is sitting at 73°, which is 7° warmer than normal—that's a very unusual anomaly for this time of year.
The following days just aren't any better. Through the rest of the week into the weekend, we see the swell bumping up to about 2ft from the SSW, and the combined energy gets into the moderate range, peaking around (398) on Sunday afternoon. But the wind is consistently cross-onshore or onshore, from the S, W, or WSW, ranging from a light breeze up to a moderate breeze. That's leaving the surface with a cross-chop and ripples, making it a messy, frustrating paddle for the couple of knee-high bumps that roll through.
Heading into the second week, from around the 22nd of September right through to the 29th, the pattern holds. Swell hangs around 2ft to 3ft with periods dropping from 16s to 13s, but we just can't get the wind to cooperate. It's basically the same story: onshore flow or cross-onshore wind every session, whether it's a light breeze or a moderate blow. It’s going to feel like a long, flat, blown-out stretch. Honestly, with the poor quality and persistent wind at a sheltered beach-and-reef setup like this, it might look more interesting for a kite surfer than for us paddle surfers. Keep the board in the car and hope the forecast changes, because a blank run like this can happen here.
Stay tuned,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 48 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 75 | 39 | 200 | 59 | 86 | 144 | 74 | 121 | 184 | 184 | 131 | 199 | 252 | 199 | 252 | 252 | 241 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 8:02AM1.50m | 5:41PM1.80m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:58AM1.34m | 1:13AM0.48m | ||||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 6 | SW 19 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 31 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 39 | 11 | 200 | 59 | 86 | 144 | 74 | 121 | 21 | 184 | 41 | 199 | 252 | 50 | 38 | 36 | 78 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 6 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 21 | S 12 | W 4 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
| kJ | 48 | 108 | 106 | 90 | 64 | 39 | 10 | 37 | 33 | 71 | 25 | 6 | 184 | 61 | 69 | 21 | 55 | 199 | 252 | 252 | 241 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 9 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 21 | SSW 14 | S 11 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 17 | 29 | 14 | 15 | 75 | 35 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 20 | 32 | 110 | 69 | 21 | 131 | 58 | 18 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 21 | — | — | 15 | — | — | 81 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 156 | 23 | 156 | 73 | 0 | 11 | 51 | 0 | 11 | 73 | 11 | 10 | 51 | 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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