Surf Forecasts:
The Cove Cape May surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, S swell with 134 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 Monday (Aug 17) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cove Cape May over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is a tough one to call. Sometimes you gotta look at the data and just tell it like it is. For the Cape May area, the whole 16-day window is a real struggle. There’s a massive gap at the start with pretty much nothing worth paddling out for. From the 10th of August right through until the 19th, the surf is tiny and the wind is all over the place. It’s mostly flat, weak, and messy. You’re looking at a solid week and a half of no recommendation.
The first real glimmer of hope pops up on Wednesday the 19th of August. The Cove Cape May (point) sees a bump in energy. The combined swell energy hits 144 (moderate). Swell is coming from the SE at 2ft with a period of 12 seconds, which is a nice long-period groundswell. That longer period means better shaped waves and more energy, but at a point break like The Cove, it can actually line up real nice. The wind is offshore, cross-off from the ESE, keeping things clean. This is the standout of the whole forecast. It’s not huge, but it’s the best on offer. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting around 78°, which is nice.
The energy picks up a bit more on Thursday the 20th, with the combined energy hitting 261 (moderate) and the swell a bit bigger at 3ft from the SE, period 11 seconds. The problem is the wind swings onshore, making it choppy and lumpy. That’s a big letdown. The waves are there, but the quality gets wrecked.
After that, it fades out again. The next few days are small and weak, with no real punch. The last few days of the window, from the 23rd to the 25th, are mostly small and weak again. There’s one moment on Sunday the 23rd with a true offshore breeze from the NNE, but the swell is only 1ft, so it’s a glassy ankle-snapper. The crowd factor at The Cove is listed as "often", so you won’t be alone at the best times.
So, bottom line: if you're desperate for a wave, the morning of the 19th is your best bet. It’s the only real window of clean, rideable surf in an otherwise bleak run. Otherwise, it’s a good time to wax the board and wait for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 32°C on Mon night, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Thu morning, calm by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | WNW 4 | S 6 | S 6 | S 3 | S 4 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 4 | S 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 33 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 27 | 134 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 11:28AM1.58m | 11:39PM1.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:03AM-0.02m | 5:24PM0.09m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | 8 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 30 | 32 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 31 | 33 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 10 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | S 5 | WNW 3 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SE 8 | — |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 3 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | — | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 12 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | SE 9 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 8 | — | E 8 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | SE 11 | SE 10 | E 10 | E 13 | — | SE 7 | — | E 12 | SE 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 6 | WSW 2 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WNW 4 | NNE 3 | SW 2 | S 3 | S 4 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | NNE 2 | NE 4 | — | SW 3 | — | S 4 | S 6 |
| kJ | — | 19 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 33 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | — | 27 | 134 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1125 | 2670 | 21 | 330 | 105 | 247 | 730 | 1390 | 420 | 1008 | 2404 | 255 | 418 | 418 | 330 | 497 | 236 | 280 | 886 | 1177 | 8 |
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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