Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with 390 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s 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 (Aug 17) at 5AM. 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 0.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let's not sugarcoat it – the next sixteen days are a tough watch for anyone looking to get wet.
We're looking at Japs Cove, a tricky reef that needs a specific SSW swell. The water is sitting at about 71°, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so that's a bit of a bonus if you're just floating around.
The surf, though, is a long, hard grind. From the 14th right through to the 24th of August, it's a desert. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the wind is constantly cross-onshore or choppy. The energy is weak, with numbers like 348 down to 141, which is just a flat, powerless feeling. There's one morning on the 17th where it goes glassy, but the swell is still only 2ft at 14 seconds, so it's small and weak. It's a long, boring stretch of nothing.
The only real hope comes in the final days. The morning of the 25th of August (Tuesday) finally shows a bump to 3ft from the SSE, with moderate energy at 691, and a 16-second period. That's a long period groundswell, ideal for this reef, but the wind is still cross-on. The following days, the 26th, 27th, and 28th, have energy in the 450-545 range, and a few sessions are marked as “marginal surf forecast,” which is the best we can hope for. The swell stays around 3ft from the S and SSW, but the wind never quite gets offshore.
This is a classic example of a forecast offering a couple of "maybe" sessions at the tail end of a long, flat spell. The 25th onward is the best of a bad lot, but it's a long way off, so don't hold your breath. This spot is inconsistent as it is, and right now, it's more of a head-scratcher than a head-dipper.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 390 | 330 | 326 | 318 | 310 | 217 | 214 | 186 | 140 | 136 | 146 | 107 | 188 | 209 | 217 | 123 | 118 | 120 | 115 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:08PM2.08m | 12:01PM1.95m | 11:54PM1.84m | 12:35PM1.95m | 00:44AM1.59m | 1:11PM1.93m | 1:48AM1.36m | 1:51PM1.88m | 3:40AM1.21m | 2:44PM1.83m | 3:56PM1.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:38AM0.36m | 6:00PM0.73m | 6:07AM0.57m | 6:56PM0.76m | 6:33AM0.78m | 8:03PM0.79m | 6:56AM0.97m | 9:28PM0.80m | 7:11AM1.13m | 11:09PM0.74m | 00:27AM0.64m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 6 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 390 | 330 | 326 | 318 | 310 | 217 | 52 | 50 | 140 | 113 | 37 | 38 | 188 | 209 | 217 | 123 | 118 | 120 | 115 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | W 5 | S 11 | W 5 | W 5 | S 10 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 9 | W 5 | W 14 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 12 | W 5 |
| kJ | 10 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 214 | 186 | 32 | 136 | 146 | 107 | 38 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SW 13 | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | WNW 9 | — | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | W 12 |
| kJ | 6 | 44 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 42 | 43 | 15 | 7 | — | 13 | 56 | 14 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | — | W 4 | — | — | W 4 | W 6 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — |
| kJ | 5 | — | 9 | — | — | 20 | 85 | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 9 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 156 | 51 | 4 | 73 | 127 | 17 | 11 | 127 | 11 | 11 | 51 | 11 | 156 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 0 |
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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