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 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Cove Cape May sea temperature is
24.8°C
1.6° 

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 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 17s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, S swell with 77 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 17s period with SE 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 4s 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) 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 0.3m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 31st Aug)1ft (0.3m) 17s
Best Surf 8PM (Mon 31st Aug)1ft (0.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 8PM (Fri 28th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's cut through the noise and look at what's cookin' at this spot.

First up, it's a quiet start. We're lookin' at a stretch of small, weak surf that barely gets its feet wet for the better part of a week and a half. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sittin' at 76.64°F with a positive anomaly of 2.88°F, so it's nearly three degrees above average – nice for a long session in the wettie, but the ocean's not cooperating yet.

Monday afternoon the 24th starts us off with glassy conditions, but the swell is a pathetic 0.7ft from the ESE with a 12-second period. The combined energy is a measly 20 (weak energy), and honestly, it's just not worth paddling out for. That sets the tone for a long, drawn-out flat spell. From there, we get tiny waves day after day, mostly under 1.6ft, with a mix of glassy mornings and gnarly cross-onshore winds that chop everything up. Thursday the 27th sees a bump to 3.3ft but the period drops to a shocking 5 seconds – that's pure windslop, not surf.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn't show up until Tuesday, September 1st. We get a morning with a gentle offshore breeze from the NNE, and the swell is 1.3ft from the SE, but now the period jumps to a very long 15 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 79 (still weak), and it's described as "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." That's a teaser, not a main event.

Now, hang onto your board, because Thursday, September 3rd is the standout. There's a solid jump in size. Thursday morning brings a 6.2ft east swell with a 7-second period, and the combined energy roars to life at 640 (strong to very strong wave energy). The wind is light and offshore from the north, keeping it clean. This is the best on offer. The Cove Cape May is a point break, and that east swell direction is right in line with its optimum from the SE. With 6.2ft, it's getting up there – not for beginners, but strong intermediates will have a ball. It's "fairly consistent" here, and crowds are "often" a thing, so expect company.

Thursday afternoon drops a little to 5.9ft, still from the east, and it stays clean. Friday the 4th holds at 5.9ft in the morning with a fresh offshore from the north, but the combined energy is still 637. The catch is, the period is only 8 seconds, so it's a shorter-period swell. That means it'll be a bit more walled up at a point break, but still plenty rideable. The wind stays offshore or cross-off through the weekend, keeping things clean, but the swell slowly backs off each day.

By Monday, September 7th, we're back down to 2.6ft with a long 9-second period and a light offshore breeze. It's surfable, but nothing to get excited about.

So, the bottom line: the first week and a half is a write-off – tiny, weak, or wind-chopped. The one true standout is Thursday, September 3rd, with the 6.2ft east swell, light offshore wind, and strong energy. That's your window. Friday the 4th is also solid. After that, the swell fades. It's been a long wait, but that one day could be a ripper.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
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
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
12
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
11
0.3
SE
9
0.4
SE
9
0.4
ESE
9
1
SSE
5
1
SSE
5
0.4
ESE
9
0.6
ESE
8
0.7
SSE
6
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
7
0.4
SE
6
0.4
SE
8
0.8
SSE
3
1.1
S
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13
19
18
18
18
14
19
32
40
48
32
47
34
17
16
19
10
18
12
52
Wind (km/h)
0
S
15
NNW
15
NW
15
NW
10
NNW
5
SSE
25
SSE
25
S
25
SSE
30
SSE
20
SSW
15
SW
10
WSW
20
NE
15
NE
15
ESE
15
S
15
S
30
SSE
20
SSW
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
High Tide
6:28PM1.56m
6:53AM1.19m
7:11PM1.62m
7:34AM1.28m
7:50PM1.66m
8:12AM1.36m
8:27PM1.68m
8:49AM1.44m
9:03PM1.68m
9:24AM1.51m
9:38PM1.65m
10:00AM1.57m
10:15PM1.59m
Low Tide
00:44AM0.25m
12:30PM0.24m
1:22AM0.19m
1:13PM0.19m
1:57AM0.13m
1:54PM0.14m
2:31AM0.08m
2:34PM0.10m
3:04AM0.04m
3:15PM0.09m
3:38AM0.02m
3:57PM0.09m
4:14AM0.03m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:42
7:40
7:38
7:37
7:36
7:35
7:32
 mm
4
4
8
4
5
Temp °C
26
25
21
25
24
22
24
24
25
25
25
24
28
27
23
24
23
24
25
25
Feels °C
27
24
19
24
23
23
21
22
25
24
25
26
30
28
22
24
22
23
23
26
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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