The Cove Cape May Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming up for The Cove at Cape May. The pattern’s pretty flat for a long stretch, but there’s a bit of life later down the line.

To start, the water temperature is about average for this time of year at The Cove Cape May, nothing wild to report there.

We’re looking at a real lull for the first week. From September 14th right through to September 20th, there’s virtually nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, mostly around 0.7 ft to 1 ft, and the wave energy is weak – you’re seeing combined energy values down around 14 to 60, which is basically nothing. Winds are mixed, sometimes cross-off or glassy on the morning of the 16th, but with no swell to work with, it’s just flat and clean. A long, quiet stretch.

Then we start to see a change. On September 21st (Monday), the swell finally shows up with a pulse of 7 ft to 7 ft from the east, but it’s pretty short period at 8 seconds. The energy jumps up to over 500 (moderate). Problem is, the winds are a strong cross-off at 19 mph, so it’s clean but bumpy. This is still a poor surf call given the quality, so I wouldn't get too excited just yet.

The real standout comes on September 24th (Thursday). This is the best on offer for the whole run. We’ve got a 8 ft east-northeast swell rolling in, period up to 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a thumping 1709 – that’s strong to very strong energy. Winds are cross-off from the east at 12 mph, so the face should be clean. That said, at 8 ft this is getting into expert territory only; it’s going to be powerful. The Cove is a point break that handles an east swell, and with that size and period, it’ll have some proper shape. The crowds are often around here, so expect company.

Before that, September 23rd (Wednesday) has a 7 ft east swell with clean cross-off winds from the northwest in the afternoon, but it’s a marginal call. Good for a look, but the 24th is the one to aim for.

After that peak, it fades quickly. The 25th gets messy with strong southerlies, and by the 26th and 27th it’s dropping back under 3 ft, with energy levels fading to under 300 and poor winds.

Overall, you’ve got a long flat spell, then a short window of proper – but expert-level – surf around the 24th. Get on it if you’re game.

Rusty.

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