New Jersey
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Poverty Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Poverty Beach, New Jersey. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with 11mph from the SSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 22mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 10mph from the SSW.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with 8mph from the WSW.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and poor conditions with 7mph from the W. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Poverty Beach sits near the southern tip of Cape May where the coastline curves to face south, picking up S and SSE swells that the rest of the Jersey Shore misses. The sandy bottom produces mellow, rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and those looking for uncrowded conditions away from the tourist-heavy Cape May beaches. North winds blow offshore here, making it a good option when NW winds are messing up the east-facing beaches further north.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Poverty Beach is 1ft with a 6.2s swell period. Wind is S at 6mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Poverty Beach is 1ft, produced by a 1.6ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 1ft ESE secondary swell at 9s, a 0.3ft S wind swell swell at 1s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Poverty Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 5.1s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Poverty Beach works best with a S swell and N winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Poverty Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Poverty Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Poverty Beach sits near the southern tip of Cape May where the coastline curves to face south, picking up S and SSE swells that the rest of the Jersey Shore misses. The sandy bottom produces mellow, rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and those looking for uncrowded conditions away from the tourist-heavy Cape May beaches. North winds blow offshore here, making it a good option when NW winds are messing up the east-facing beaches further north.
The prime season at Poverty Beach is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Poverty Beach include shorebreak, occasional rips, beach erosion. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Poverty Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
