
Surf Forecasts:
The Cove Cape May surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, ESE swell with 48 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 0.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming up for The Cove at Cape May. The pattern’s pretty flat for a long stretch, but there’s a bit of life later down the line.
To start, the water temperature is about average for this time of year at The Cove Cape May, nothing wild to report there.
We’re looking at a real lull for the first week. From September 14th right through to September 20th, there’s virtually nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, mostly around 0.7 ft to 1 ft, and the wave energy is weak – you’re seeing combined energy values down around 14 to 60, which is basically nothing. Winds are mixed, sometimes cross-off or glassy on the morning of the 16th, but with no swell to work with, it’s just flat and clean. A long, quiet stretch.
Then we start to see a change. On September 21st (Monday), the swell finally shows up with a pulse of 7 ft to 7 ft from the east, but it’s pretty short period at 8 seconds. The energy jumps up to over 500 (moderate). Problem is, the winds are a strong cross-off at 19 mph, so it’s clean but bumpy. This is still a poor surf call given the quality, so I wouldn't get too excited just yet.
The real standout comes on September 24th (Thursday). This is the best on offer for the whole run. We’ve got a 8 ft east-northeast swell rolling in, period up to 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a thumping 1709 – that’s strong to very strong energy. Winds are cross-off from the east at 12 mph, so the face should be clean. That said, at 8 ft this is getting into expert territory only; it’s going to be powerful. The Cove is a point break that handles an east swell, and with that size and period, it’ll have some proper shape. The crowds are often around here, so expect company.
Before that, September 23rd (Wednesday) has a 7 ft east swell with clean cross-off winds from the northwest in the afternoon, but it’s a marginal call. Good for a look, but the 24th is the one to aim for.
After that peak, it fades quickly. The 25th gets messy with strong southerlies, and by the 26th and 27th it’s dropping back under 3 ft, with energy levels fading to under 300 and poor winds.
Overall, you’ve got a long flat spell, then a short window of proper – but expert-level – surf around the 24th. Get on it if you’re game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun night, min 19°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Mon morning, calm by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu night, min 20°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 12 | E 6 | ESE 8 | S 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
53 | 29 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 28 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 10:25PM1.55m | 10:51AM1.66m | 11:05PM1.43m | 11:32AM1.60m | 11:48PM1.30m | 12:16PM1.53m | 00:34AM1.19m | 1:05PM1.46m | 1:27AM1.10m | 2:01PM1.41m | 2:32AM1.05m | 3:05PM1.39m | 3:41AM1.04m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:24AM0.07m | 4:57PM0.12m | 5:02AM0.16m | 5:44PM0.21m | 5:41AM0.25m | 6:34PM0.30m | 6:23AM0.34m | 7:30PM0.37m | 7:13AM0.41m | 8:31PM0.41m | 8:12AM0.45m | 9:34PM0.42m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
7:10 | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 |
Feels °C | 28 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 |
53 | 29 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 28 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | — | NE 4 | S 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 | E 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 7 |
41 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | SSE 6 | E 15 | E 15 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 14 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | — | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — |
2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 4 | NNW 3 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | SSE 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | S 4 |
— | 9 | 4 | 13 | 24 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 28 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 216 | 296 | 603 | 1150 | 1142 | 497 | 1145 | 1170 | 66 | 21 | 537 | 36 | 418 | 1144 | 372 | 380 | 1177 | 1177 |
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.










