Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 20s period, SW swell with 552 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 0.9m 20s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. 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+) | 8AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 20s |
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 offer.
Honestly, it’s a pretty flat and frustrating stretch ahead for this region. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but the surf is looking poor for almost the entire run. There are no real standouts here, just a whole lot of waiting.
The only spot we’ve got to look at is Japs Cove, a sheltered reef break that’s really for advanced surfers only. It’s inconsistent and sometimes gets crowded, so even when there is a pulse, you’ve got to weigh that up.
Let’s start from the beginning. From Sunday 19 July right through to the end of the month, the swell is tiny, mostly between 2ft and 3ft from the SSW or SW. The wind is nearly always cross-on, and the water temp is sitting at a very unusual 71°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. The energy is all over the place, ranging from weak to moderate (228 to 653), but the wave quality is consistently described as poor.
There are a few mornings where the wind is light and the conditions are only “marginal” – like Tuesday 21 July morning, Saturday 25 July morning, and Sunday 26 July morning – but with the swell so small and the direction not quite locking in, it’s still a tough call. The tide could mess it up too. It’s just not worth paddling out for.
Now, moving into early August, there is a tiny flicker. On Saturday 1 August morning, the swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSW, with moderate energy (853) and light cross-on wind. It’s still “marginal” and the wave quality isn’t great, but if you’re desperate and you’re an advanced surfer, it’s the best of a bad bunch. The swell period is a short 13 seconds, so don’t expect much push.
After that, it fades again. Sunday 2 August drops back to 3ft, and by Monday 3 August it’s a pathetic 2ft with almost no energy (91). The run just fizzles out.
Bottom line: there’s nothing worth getting excited about here. For an inconsistent, sheltered reef like Japs Cove, this kind of blank run isn’t unusual, but it sure is frustrating. Keep an eye on the forecasts – it tends not to stay this poor forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 24 | S 13 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 20 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 211 | 193 | 201 | 175 | 481 | 256 | 291 | 239 | 183 | 178 | 225 | 280 | 284 | 368 | 217 | 368 | 404 | 294 | 552 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:13AM1.47m | 3:12PM1.88m | 3:49AM1.29m | 4:02PM1.89m | 6:02AM1.23m | 4:55PM1.91m | 7:47AM1.30m | 5:48PM1.95m | 8:40AM1.37m | 6:36PM2.01m | 9:12AM1.43m | 7:20PM2.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:47PM0.94m | 8:12AM0.79m | 10:17PM0.88m | 8:50AM0.98m | 11:45PM0.76m | 9:39AM1.13m | 00:51AM0.63m | 10:51AM1.23m | 1:40AM0.50m | 12:04PM1.26m | 2:19AM0.40m | 1:00PM1.24m | 2:53AM0.31m | ||||||
 | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — |
 | 8:01 | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | S 13 | S 13 | W 7 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 20 |
| kJ | 98 | 193 | 201 | 175 | 481 | 256 | 291 | 239 | 183 | 124 | 225 | 280 | 131 | 276 | 209 | 222 | 217 | 206 | 552 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 13 | W 4 | SSW 12 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 8 | SSW 14 | W 6 | SW 26 | S 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 211 | 85 | 88 | 84 | 3 | 107 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 178 | 32 | 105 | 284 | 47 | 23 | 368 | 404 | 294 | 161 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 5 | SSW 20 | S 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | WSW 18 | SSW 26 | SSW 24 | SSW 24 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
| kJ | 10 | 8 | 37 | 51 | 20 | 16 | 25 | 21 | 38 | 134 | 120 | 31 | 66 | 368 | 217 | 26 | 25 | 18 | 16 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 4 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 25 | — | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 11 | 11 | 60 | 11 | 9 | 73 | 9 | 11 | 77 | 10 | 127 | 83 | 10 | 9 | 127 | 10 | 11 | 127 |
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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