Surf Forecasts:
The Cove Cape May surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 55 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 0.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this straight from the start: the 16-day window for The Cove Cape May is a tough one. There’s no real swell to get excited about, and the conditions are messy for the most part. We’ve got a long stretch of flat, weak, and choppy days ahead, so the only real chance to wet a line comes right at the very end.
The opening run from August 19th right through to the end of August is a write-off. Swell heights are tiny, mostly bouncing between 0.3 ft and 2 ft, and the energy is dead – we’re looking at combined energy values barely cracking 70 (34 to 84) for most of that period. The wind is a mixed bag of cross-onshore, cross-off, and even some glassy moments, but the swell just isn’t there to make anything of it. The best you’ll get is a clean surface on August 20th afternoon, August 21st, or August 22nd, but with a wave that’s barely a ripple, it’s not worth paddling out for.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t appear until Wednesday, September 2nd. The morning shows a bit of life: a 2 ft ESE swell with a period of 11 seconds, combined energy of 88 (still weak, but slightly better). The wind is cross-off from the NNW, so the surface will be clean. The wave comment calls it “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and honestly, that’s the best we’ve got. The swell direction (ESE) is a bit off from the optimum SE for The Cove, so don’t expect peak shape, but it’s rideable. The afternoon on the 2nd pushes combined energy up to 116 (moderate) with a 2 ft ESE swell, 10-second period, and light cross-shore wind. Still not a standout, but it’s the most promising day in the entire forecast.
By Thursday, September 3rd, the wind swings around to a fresh SE breeze, lumping things up, and the energy drops back into the 50s. It’s back to poor conditions.
As for the water temp, when we get that first surfable window on September 2nd, the water is sitting at 75°F, which is about average for the time of year – the anomaly is just 1°F, nothing unusual.
The Cove is a point break, fairly consistent, and fairly exposed to the swell, but the crowds are often around. With this kind of lacklustre outlook, it’ll probably be quieter than usual. The period is mostly short to moderate, so no worries about it being too straight for the point.
The only real standout in the whole 16 days? The morning of Wednesday, September 2nd. It’s not big, it’s not powerful, but it’s the only time the conditions line up enough to make it worth a look. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | E 15 | SE 8 | ESE 4 | ENE 5 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
34 | 31 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 18 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 29 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:53PM1.44m | 2:08AM1.13m | 2:49PM1.41m | 3:10AM1.06m | 3:49PM1.41m | 4:15AM1.05m | 4:48PM1.44m | 5:16AM1.07m | 5:41PM1.49m | 6:08AM1.12m | 6:28PM1.56m | 6:53AM1.19m | 7:11PM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:08PM0.34m | 8:03AM0.33m | 9:11PM0.39m | 8:58AM0.37m | 10:13PM0.39m | 9:56AM0.38m | 11:11PM0.36m | 10:52AM0.35m | 00:01AM0.31m | 11:43AM0.30m | 00:44AM0.25m | 12:30PM0.24m | 1:22AM0.19m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 16 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | S 5 | SE 8 | ESE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
34 | 31 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 18 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 29 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SE 4 | S 4 | S 4 | ESE 8 | E 15 | SE 14 | ESE 8 | SE 4 | SSE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 5 | E 6 | E 6 |
— | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | — | — | SE 5 | SE 5 | E 15 | E 7 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 12 | E 7 | SE 4 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | — |
— | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | — | ENE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 4 |
— | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 12 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 22 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 66 | 164 | 296 | 555 | 70 | 1008 | 1008 | 507 | 321 | 665 | 81 | 125 | 81 | 38 | 38 | 164 | 109 | 1016 | 321 | 60 |
Best forecast wave conditions in New Jersey | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











