Surf Forecasts:
Japs Cove surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with 310 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 8AM (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 Monday (Aug 17) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s 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 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) 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+) | 8AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Japs Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s be straight with you about Japs Cove. This is a tricky, inconsistent reef that needs a good SSW bump to even wake up, and we’re in for a long flat spell. The water’s at 71°F, which is a lot warmer than usual for the season, so at least the temperature isn’t working against you.
From the 16th right through to the end of the month, it’s a rough stretch. Nearly two weeks of poor surf with tiny waves running from about 1ft to 3ft. The swell period is long, 13 to 19 seconds, which would be great on a clean day, but the wind is almost always cross-onshore or onshore, chopping it up. The combined energy in the water is moderate, but it’s all for nothing with that breeze.
The only highlight is Saturday morning the 29th of August. A brief window of glassy clean conditions with the wind dropping to nearly nothing, just a light WSW air. We'll see 2ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period, giving the reef a little life with moderate energy (311). It’ll be surfable, but it’s a short window before the afternoon wind ruins it again.
Given how small the waves are and how often the wind is on it, this stretch looks way more fun for a kite surfer than for a paddle surfer. For most of the outlook, you're better off waiting for a better forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | 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 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 310 | 217 | 214 | 186 | 186 | 180 | 146 | 109 | 142 | 209 | 217 | 125 | 118 | 118 | 115 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 50 | 50 | 120 |
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 | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 12:35PM1.95m | 00:44AM1.59m | 1:11PM1.93m | 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 | |||||||||
Low Tide | 6:56PM0.76m | 6:33AM0.78m | 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 | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 12 | W 6 |
| kJ | 310 | 217 | 214 | 32 | 186 | 85 | 65 | 47 | 142 | 209 | 217 | 125 | 118 | 118 | 115 | 69 | 68 | 16 | 25 | 31 | 51 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | WSW 5 | W 6 | SW 19 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 7 | 9 | 2 | 186 | 32 | 180 | 146 | 70 | 18 | 25 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 49 | 68 | 42 | 42 | 120 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 10 | W 10 | S 10 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | WNW 8 | SW 20 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 19 | W 12 | W 12 | SW 18 | W 11 | SW 17 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 42 | 109 | 13 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 56 | 11 | 11 | 50 | 9 | 47 | 50 | 50 | 58 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 4 | W 6 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — |
| kJ | — | 15 | 39 | — | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 17 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 127 | 22 | 73 | 127 | 11 | 11 | 51 | 11 | 11 | 51 | 0 | 11 | 64 | 9 | 41 | 51 | 0 | 128 | 127 | 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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