
Surf Forecasts:
The Cove Cape May surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, S swell with 126 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove Cape May this week:
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove Cape May in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it for The Cove Cape May.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – this 16-day window is a tough one. We’re staring down a long stretch of small, weak, and messy surf. The first real chance to even think about a paddle isn’t until Monday the 14th, and even then, it’s marginal. For the first week and a half, we’re looking at a whole lot of nothing. The good news is that the spot is fairly consistent, so it’s not unusual for the area to have a flat spell like this, but it’s a real bummer right now.
Looking at the whole period, the only day that could be considered a standout is Tuesday the 22nd. I know it’s a long way off, but it’s the only pulse of energy with any real push. The other days are just ankle-biters.
Let’s break it down. The first few days are a total write-off. We’ve got a tiny 1 ft swell from the E on the 7th with a period of 10 seconds, weak wave energy (33), and a southerly wind ruining it. It’s just poor. We go through a whole string of these small, onshore or cross-onshore, short-period wind swells right through to the 13th. The swell never gets above 4 ft, and the combined energy is mostly in the teens or 30s, which is weak. The wind is almost always wrong.
The one bright spot in the first week is Monday the 14th. The morning shows glassy conditions with the wind dropping to 0 mph. The swell is still tiny at 1 ft from the ESE with a period of 9 seconds, and the energy is weak (32), but for a longboard or a big foamie, that glassy morning would be a beautiful, clean session. It’s about the only time the wind cooperates.
We then go through another patch of small, choppy surf from the 15th to the 20th. The 18th has a clean offshore wind from the N, but the swell is a pathetic 2 ft from the S with a period of 4 seconds. It’s clean, but it’s barely a ripple.
Now, for the one true standout. Tuesday, September 22nd. That afternoon, the ENE swell hits 3 ft with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 126. It’s still a short-period swell, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but it’s the biggest and most energetic swell of the whole forecast. The wind is onshore from the S at 12 mph, which is a shame, but the size is real. The Cove is a point break, so it can handle a bit of wind better than a beach break, and the swell direction is from the ENE, which is not the optimum SE, but it’s close enough to push some waves in. This is really the only time the water’s got any push for a proper shortboard. The water temp is a toasty 77°F, which is a whopping 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a wetsuit.
Honestly, if you’re desperate for a surf, paddle out on the 14th in the morning for a glassy longboard session. But if you want any real power, you’re waiting for the 22nd. It’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 22°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 9 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
29 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 11 | 50 | 91 | 61 | 31 | 39 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 31 | 24 | 15 | 24 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:45PM1.73m | 6:20AM1.39m | 6:41PM1.78m | 7:13AM1.50m | 7:32PM1.81m | 8:01AM1.60m | 8:18PM1.80m | 8:46AM1.67m | 9:02PM1.75m | 9:29AM1.70m | 9:44PM1.66m | 10:10AM1.70m | 10:25PM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:03AM0.09m | 12:00PM0.06m | 00:55AM0.01m | 12:57PM-0.00m | 1:41AM-0.05m | 1:49PM-0.04m | 2:25AM-0.07m | 2:38PM-0.05m | 3:06AM-0.05m | 3:25PM-0.02m | 3:45AM-0.01m | 4:11PM0.04m | 4:24AM0.07m | |||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 28 | 24 | 25 | 30 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 23 | 31 | 29 | 22 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | SSE 6 | ENE 4 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 4 | SE 10 | SSE 4 |
29 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 39 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 31 | 24 | 4 | 24 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | E 5 | SE 8 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 10 | SE 8 | SE 7 | S 5 | — | S 5 | E 8 | SE 10 | E 4 | SE 9 |
3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 7 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 15 | 4 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SE 8 | — | — | S 6 | SE 6 | — | — | E 9 | — | E 8 | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 9 | E 8 | — | — | S 5 | NE 4 | ESE 6 |
1 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | W 3 | SSW 2 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 6 | — | NE 3 | — | E 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | S 3 | — |
— | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 11 | 50 | 91 | 61 | 31 | — | 5 | — | 6 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 5 | 6 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 151 | 60 | 118 | 727 | 255 | 321 | 1442 | 727 | 37 | 36 | 18 | 207 | 142 | 497 | 1151 | 1145 | 242 | 21 | 60 | 60 |
Best forecast wave conditions in New Jersey | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the The Cove Cape May Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Cove Cape May provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Cove Cape May can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Cove Cape May 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 (The Cove Cape May) 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 The Cove Cape May 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.
The Cove Cape May is 50 km (31 miles) from Ocean City. If you plan a vacation in New Jersey, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ocean City. Ocean City has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










