Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 604 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 11PM. 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+) | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's on offer.
Honestly, it's a bit of a tough stretch ahead at Japs Cove. This is a sheltered, advanced-level reef break that’s inconsistent and only really works with a clean SSW swell. The problem is, for the next week or so, the wind is just never playing ball. We've got persistent cross-onshore breezes, chopping up any swell that does roll in. The water temp is around average for this time of year, but that’s about the only thing that's average.
The first few days, from Friday the 17th through to Wednesday the 23rd, it’s all poor surf conditions. Swell is tiny, mostly under 2ft, and the wind is a constant mess. The combined wave energy is weak to moderate, all sitting under 500. Not worth paddling out for.
We do finally see a bit of a lift on Monday the 20th. The morning has a 3ft SSW swell with a period of 15 seconds – that's proper long-period groundswell energy, which is nice for a reef setup like this. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 482, but the wind is still onshore, so it's marginal at best.
The real standout window, and the only one worth highlighting, looks like Saturday the 26th of July. The morning glass-off is the key here. We've got an onshore breeze of only 5 km/h – practically a slight air – which should result in glassy, clean conditions. The swell is a solid 4ft from the SSW, with a period of 13 seconds and combined energy of 843, which is strong. For a picky reef that needs the right direction and clean conditions, this is your best shot. It's not huge, so it's good for competent surfers, but the quality should be there if the wind stays light. Later that afternoon, the wind swings onshore and picks up, so the window is tight.
After that, we bump into another long gap of poor conditions right through to the end of the outlook on August 1st. The swell sticks around but the wind just won't tidy up.
So, to break it down: Japs Cove is an inconsistent spot, and this forecast reflects that. It’s a blank run for most of the period. The Saturday morning of the 26th is the only real chance for a clean session. The rest of the time, you’re fighting the wind for small, choppy waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the W by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 91 | 94 | 74 | 76 | 246 | 201 | 66 | 235 | 238 | 314 | 462 | 554 | 326 | 286 | 199 | 291 | 186 | 183 | 179 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | on |
High Tide | 11:24PM2.25m | 12:59PM1.80m | 00:13AM2.00m | 1:41PM1.84m | 1:07AM1.73m | 2:25PM1.86m | 2:13AM1.47m | 3:12PM1.88m | 3:49AM1.29m | 4:02PM1.89m | 6:02AM1.23m | 4:55PM1.91m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:24AM0.16m | 6:21PM0.96m | 7:01AM0.36m | 7:28PM0.96m | 7:37AM0.58m | 8:47PM0.94m | 8:12AM0.79m | 10:17PM0.88m | 8:50AM0.98m | 11:45PM0.76m | 9:39AM1.13m | 00:51AM0.63m | |||||||
 | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | 8:04 | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSE 11 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 |
| kJ | 25 | 21 | 13 | 76 | 246 | 201 | 39 | 235 | 238 | 314 | 462 | 554 | 326 | 286 | 121 | 291 | 186 | 183 | 104 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 6 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SW 16 | SSE 10 | S 13 | S 12 | W 4 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | S 14 |
| kJ | 55 | 74 | 74 | 12 | 26 | 26 | 66 | 36 | 160 | 98 | 4 | 37 | 107 | 203 | 199 | 48 | 59 | 55 | 179 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | W 17 | SW 13 | WSW 5 | SW 13 | S 13 | W 15 | W 4 | W 14 | W 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 16 | SSE 14 | S 17 | SSE 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 91 | 94 | 51 | 22 | 27 | 6 | 27 | 32 | 17 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 5 | 41 | 50 | 77 | 136 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SSE 3 | SSE 2 | SE 3 | SW 6 | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 4 | — | — | W 3 | W 4 | SW 8 | W 4 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 7 | 45 | 16 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 127 | 0 | 11 | 51 | 11 | 11 | 127 | 40 | 156 | 156 | 6 |
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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