New Jersey
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.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 21mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 7s with moderate WSW wind around 7mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the WSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 9s and 9mph from the SW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 8s with moderate SSW wind around 12mph. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 18mph and poor by then.
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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 1-2ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is S at 7mph 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 1-2ft, produced by a 2.4ft ESE primary swell at 10s, a 1.3ft SSE secondary swell at 9s, a 1ft SW wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
