Surf Forecasts:
The Cove Cape May surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 5s period, S swell with 129 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 1.5m 5s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for The Cove Cape May.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. This is one of those periods where you’re better off tuning up your board than rushing out the door. We’re looking at a solid two-week gap with almost nothing worth paddling out for. The first surfable moment doesn't pop up until Thursday the 20th of August, and even then, it’s a real struggle.
Right out of the gate, Sunday the 9th through the 19th is a dead zone. Tiny windswell, messy directions, and generally poor conditions. We see a lot of cross-onshore chop and barely any energy. The combined energy readings are in the single digits and low twenties (5 to 88), which tells you just how weak it all is. You’d be fighting for a 2ft ripple.
Now, on Thursday the 20th of August in the morning, we finally get a little something. The Cove will see a small 2ft swell from the SE, and the real hero here is the wind. It’s coming out of the NNE and it’s offshore. That’s clean. The water temp is around 78°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year – a nice little bonus if you're going in. The wave comment finally says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," and it scores a 1/10 in my book. It’s not good, but it’s the best we’ve got. The period is a moderate 11 seconds, so it’ll have a little bit of shape on that point. But be warned, crowds are often a problem here, so don't expect a quiet session for such small, clean waves.
That little window closes fast. By Thursday afternoon, the wind swings onshore again and it’s back to poor conditions. From Friday the 21st all the way through to Monday the 24th of August, it’s back to tiny, messy, or weak swell. We even see a 0.7ft glassy morning on the 24th with a long period of 12 seconds, but with combined energy of just 25, there’s no power to push any real waves.
The honest truth? Don’t hold your breath. This is a long, lean spell for the Cape. The forecasts can always change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sun night, min 24°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 6 | S 4 | SSE 5 | S 6 | S 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 8 | S 4 | S 5 | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 10 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 5:54PM1.76m | 6:27AM1.30m | 6:53PM1.84m | 7:25AM1.39m | 7:47PM1.89m | 8:18AM1.48m | 8:38PM1.90m | 9:08AM1.55m | 9:25PM1.86m | 9:56AM1.60m | 10:11PM1.77m | 10:42AM1.61m | 10:55PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:17AM0.07m | 12:06PM0.01m | 1:13AM-0.02m | 1:05PM-0.05m | 2:04AM-0.08m | 2:00PM-0.09m | 2:51AM-0.12m | 2:53PM-0.09m | 3:37AM-0.12m | 3:44PM-0.06m | 4:21AM-0.08m | 4:34PM0.00m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 |
Feels °C | 31 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 26 | 30 | 31 | 25 | 30 | 31 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | S 4 | SSE 5 | SE 10 | S 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 8 | S 4 | SE 8 | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | ENE 5 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 6 | SE 8 | E 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 4 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 7 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 6 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | S 5 | — | — | E 13 | SE 10 | — | E 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | — | S 6 | WNW 2 | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | S 5 | NNW 2 | ENE 3 | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | — | SSW 3 |
| kJ | 15 | — | — | 18 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | 9 | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 125 | 105 | 552 | 1151 | 38 | 296 | 152 | 684 | 1145 | 1019 | 296 | 497 | 1144 | 418 | 372 | 3145 | 109 | 105 | 399 | 684 |
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.
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