New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at The Cove, 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: 0–1ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light NE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 21mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 9mph from the WSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 19mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with gentle NE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light winds out of the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 8mph SW winds.
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The Cove at Sandy Hook is one of New Jersey's premier point breaks, producing long right-hand walls that peel along the tip of the Sandy Hook peninsula. The unique south-facing orientation picks up S and SE swells that most of the east-facing Jersey Shore misses, lighting up on hurricane groundswells and strong south wind swells. A fiercely localized wave with a dedicated crew, The Cove is considered a regional classic and one of the few true point breaks on the entire East Coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at The Cove is 1-2ft with a 9.65s swell period. Wind is NE at 3mph 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 The Cove is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.4ft ESE primary swell at 10s, a 0.3ft 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 The Cove is Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 1ft waves, a 9.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
The Cove works best with a SE swell and SW 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 The Cove. 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.
The Cove is a point with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. The Cove at Sandy Hook is one of New Jersey's premier point breaks, producing long right-hand walls that peel along the tip of the Sandy Hook peninsula. The unique south-facing orientation picks up S and SE swells that most of the east-facing Jersey Shore misses, lighting up on hurricane groundswells and strong south wind swells. A fiercely localized wave with a dedicated crew, The Cove is considered a regional classic and one of the few true point breaks on the entire East Coast.
The prime season at The Cove 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 The Cove include localism, strong currents, rocks, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our The Cove 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.
