
Surf Forecasts:
The Cove Cape May surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, S swell with 127 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cove Cape May this week:
The surf forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Cove Cape May in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 2AM. 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 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get real about The Cove. It's looking like a pretty flat and messy stretch ahead. The wave energy is mostly weak, and the wind is working against us for a long time. We're going to be waiting a good while for anything that's even worth a look.
The first week is a bust. From Monday, July 27th, right through the weekend, it's tiny and poor. Onshore winds and chop are the story. The water's about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
The first sign of life comes on Monday, August 3rd. The wind goes light offshore from the NW, cleaning it up. The swell is still small, around 4ft, but the combined energy ticks up to 229 (moderate). It's a short-period SSE swell, so it's a messy wind swell, but it's the first surfable wave we've seen. The morning is the call.
Tuesday, August 4th, offers a glassy morning with a 2ft SSE swell. The energy is weak at 65, so it's a real paddle.
Then we drop off again. The rest of the week is a mix of tiny, weak, and choppy. Not much to talk about.
The next chance is Sunday, August 9th, with a cross-offshore NW wind. The swell is 3ft from the SSE, with a short period of 5 seconds and weak energy (86). It's surfable, but very ordinary.
The best of the whole forecast is probably the Monday morning of August 10th. A light easterly wind is cross-off, giving us clean, glassy conditions with a 3ft SSE swell. The period is up to 8 seconds and the energy is 79 (weak). It's not going to be a big day, but it'll be the cleanest, most fun wave of the whole run. The Cove is a point break, and these small, clean swells can offer some fun little rides. It's exposed to the SE, so the direction is right. It's an intermediate spot, so it's fine for most folks. There's nothing here that's too big for anyone.
So, it's a lean period. The crowd factor is "often" at The Cove, so even when it's small, you might have some company. There's no big swell coming, just a few windows of clean conditions with small waves. Get out there early in the morning when the wind is right.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed night, min 20°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 10 | S 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
21 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 22 | 24 | 127 | 57 | 50 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 37 | 30 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 53 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 7:21AM1.13m | 7:39PM1.62m | 8:03AM1.18m | 8:19PM1.65m | 8:43AM1.23m | 8:57PM1.67m | 9:20AM1.27m | 9:32PM1.66m | 9:56AM1.31m | 10:07PM1.64m | 10:32AM1.36m | 10:42PM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:16AM0.21m | 12:55PM0.21m | 1:57AM0.16m | 1:37PM0.18m | 2:34AM0.12m | 2:17PM0.15m | 3:09AM0.09m | 2:56PM0.14m | 3:43AM0.07m | 3:36PM0.14m | 4:16AM0.06m | 4:16PM0.15m | 4:50AM0.05m | ||||||
— | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
8:16 | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 27 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | SSE 7 | ENE 6 | E 6 |
21 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 57 | 50 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 37 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | ENE 5 | SE 10 | SE 9 |
12 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 30 | 16 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 8 | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | — | — | — | SE 9 | SSE 8 | — | SE 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | — | S 3 | S 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | S 6 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 4 | WNW 4 | NE 5 | N 3 | — | — | — | SSE 3 | S 5 |
2 | — | 2 | 10 | 22 | 24 | 127 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 21 | 14 | 36 | 2 | — | — | — | 11 | 53 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 354 | 321 | 164 | 81 | 1505 | 7 | 7 | 37 | 81 | 70 | 38 | 0 | 7 | 70 | 81 | 37 | 380 | 102 |
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.










