The Cove Cape May Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.93° N 74.94° W

The Cove Cape May Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 05 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove Cape May sea temperature is
25.2°C
3.1° 

The Cove Cape May surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Cove Cape May surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, SSW 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 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 10th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 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 real about what’s on offer for The Cove Cape May over the next couple of weeks. I’ve looked at the numbers, and this is a lean stretch, no two ways about it.

We’re kicking off with a long dry spell. From Saturday, September 5th all the way through to Tuesday, September 15th, it’s basically a flat, wind-battered snooze. The swell is tiny, barely a ripple, with heights hanging around 0.7ft to 2ft and weak energy readings (mostly 3 to 38). The winds are a mixed bag, but the surf just isn’t there. You’re looking at about ten days of nothing worth paddling for at The Cove.

The first real glimmer of life doesn’t show up until Wednesday, September 16th. The morning brings a bump to 4ft from the east, with a short period of 6 seconds and a moderate energy reading of 113. The wind is light and cross-offshore, so the surface will be clean. The afternoon sees the swell push to 5ft (224 energy), but it turns onshore and choppy. The morning of Thursday the 17th has the same 5ft, but it’s cross-on. Friday the 18th morning has the biggest combined energy of the run at 325, with a 5ft easterly swell (9-second period), but it’s onshore wind. The water temp is a balmy 77°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year.

Looking at the whole picture, the best chance for a wave is the Wednesday, September 16th morning session. That 4ft of east swell with clean, light offshore conditions is the standout. It’s not a monster, but it’s the only time the conditions line up for a decent, clean surf. The Cove faces southeast, so that east swell will wrap in nicely. It’s a consistent spot, so it’ll be breaking, but the “often” crowds mean you won’t be alone. For the rest of that second week, the swell gets bigger but the wind is messy, making it a tough paddle.

So, mark your calendar for the 16th. The rest of the forecast is a waiting game. Keep the board waxed for that one morning.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 21°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Wed night).

Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ESE
8
0.2
ESE
8
0.2
E
6
0.2
E
7
0.2
S
6
0.6
E
7
0.5
E
8
0.4
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
9
0.7
SSW
4
0.8
SSW
4
1
S
4
1.5
SSW
6
0.5
S
6
0.3
SSE
6
0.1
SE
10
0.1
SE
10
0.3
ENE
6
0.3
ENE
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
6
6
3
4
2
35
34
30
17
16
15
12
19
40
126
20
7
4
4
6
6
Wind (km/h)
20
N
10
W
15
NE
15
NE
25
ENE
15
ESE
10
NNE
10
SW
20
WSW
10
NW
5
SSW
20
SW
25
SSW
30
SSW
40
SW
25
WNW
20
NW
25
NE
20
NNW
20
NW
20
NNE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
3:27PM1.62m
4:08AM1.20m
4:40PM1.67m
5:19AM1.28m
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
Low Tide
8:35AM0.20m
9:59PM0.23m
9:48AM0.19m
11:06PM0.17m
10:57AM0.13m
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
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:23
7:22
7:21
7:19
7:17
7:15
7:15
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
23
25
25
23
23
22
22
24
24
22
25
24
23
27
25
25
28
27
17
22
22
Feels °C
21
24
25
22
21
20
22
23
23
21
25
23
20
24
20
23
25
26
14
18
19
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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