Surf Forecasts:
Sandy Hook/The Cove surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, SSE swell with 46 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sandy Hook/The Cove this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Sandy Hook/The Cove in the next 16 days are 0.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sandy Hook/The Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me break it down for ya. Honestly, it’s a tough stretch ahead for surf at Sandy Hook/The Cove. This is a beach and reef setup that’s fairly exposed, but the models are showing a real flat spell for most of the 16-day window. From now through to early September, there’s just nothing doing – the swell is tiny, the energy is weak, and you’ll be bobbing around on ankle-snappers at best. There’s a long gap here with no real recommendations, so don’t get your hopes up for a quick fix.
Looking at the whole run, there’s really only one brief period that might offer a glimmer, but it comes with strings attached. On Wednesday, September 2nd, heading into Thursday, September 3rd, we finally see some pulse. The afternoon of the 2nd brings a combined swell energy of 155 – that’s moderate energy – with a 2 ft swell from the SE, period at 11 seconds, a bit on the longer side so it’ll have some push. The issue is the wind: fresh cross-onshore at 19 mph, making for a lumpy, choppy surface. Not great for a clean session. Thursday the 3rd carries on with similar 2 ft ESE/SE swell, energy in the 113 to 121 range, but still cross-onshore winds in the 12 mph range. This is more of a windswell/chop situation and honestly looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing given the conditions. The water temp on the 25th was 76°, a much warmer than normal anomaly of 4°, so that’s notable – unusually warm for this time of year, but it won’t make up for the lack of waves.
Beyond that, the rest of the outlook fades back to flat, tiny 0.3 ft to 1 ft slop with low energy right through to September 9th. There are a few glassy or light offshore moments – like the morning of August 26th with NW 3 mph glassy conditions, or Sunday August 30th with light cross-off winds – but with wave heights barely a ripple, it’s just not worth the paddle. The swell direction is mostly from the SE, which is the optimum direction for this spot, but the size and period just aren’t there. Crowds are possible, but honestly, there won’t be much to crowd over.
So, to sum it up: the only standout, and I use that term loosely, is that small window around September 2nd and 3rd. If you’re desperate and have a kite, maybe worth a look. For a paddle surfer, this is a long, flat spell. Keep an eye on forecasts, though – it tends not to stay this poor forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the S by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SE 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 11 | 17 | 10 | 16 | 31 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:54AM1.31m | 7:07PM1.55m | 7:32AM1.38m | 7:44PM1.58m | 8:07AM1.44m | 8:19PM1.58m | 8:42AM1.49m | 8:55PM1.55m | 9:17AM1.53m | 9:33PM1.51m | 9:57AM1.55m | 10:17PM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:42AM0.16m | 12:45PM0.23m | 1:23AM0.10m | 1:30PM0.19m | 2:02AM0.05m | 2:13PM0.15m | 2:39AM0.02m | 2:54PM0.12m | 3:14AM0.02m | 3:35PM0.12m | 3:49AM0.02m | 4:17PM0.13m | 4:24AM0.05m | ||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 7:38 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 33 | 29 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 32 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 4 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 5 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 17 | 4 | 16 | 31 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 6 | E 5 | SE 9 | — | — | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | S 6 | ESE 8 | S 5 | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 1 | 20 | — | — | 20 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 6 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 16 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 6 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | — | SSE 3 | S 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 12 | 9 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | — | — | 1 | 11 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 168 | 132 | 1223 | 5 | 335 | 1214 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 30 | 18 | 4 | 11 | 597 | 551 | 551 | 1321 | 132 | 36 |
Best forecast wave conditions in New Jersey | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Sandy Hook/The Cove Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Sandy Hook/The Cove provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Sandy Hook/The Cove can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Sandy Hook/The 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 (Sandy Hook/The 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 Sandy Hook/The 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.
Sandy Hook/The Cove is 13 km (8 miles) from Long Branch. If you plan a vacation in New Jersey, look for hotels and other accommodation in Long Branch. Long Branch has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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