The Cove Surf Forecast, New Jersey
New Jersey
Current Conditions
PoorWave Height
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
3.7s
Wind
17mph
S / Gusts 28mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Wind Swell
2.5ft @ 4sS
Nearest Webcam
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 312-3ft
Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 12-3ft
PoorSlim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with 19mph out of the SSW.
6am9am12pm3pm
4s SSW|12-19mph SW
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorPretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with strong NE wind at 15mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
6s S|11-15mph ENE
Forecast Charts
The Cove Surf Spot Guide
Break
Point
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
N
Season
Fall
The Cove in Cape May is one of the few true point breaks in New Jersey, producing hollow left-hand barrels that wrap around the rocky point at the southern tip of the state. The south-facing coastline picks up S and SSE swells that the rest of the Jersey Shore misses, making it a go-to spot during tropical swells and south wind events. The unique geometry of the cove focuses wave energy into a defined takeoff zone, rewarding surfers with surprisingly powerful and well-shaped rides for the Mid-Atlantic.
RocksStrong currentsShallow sectionsLocalismCold water
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The Cove Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for The Cove?
The current wave height at The Cove is 2-3ft with a 3.7s swell period. Wind is S at 17mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the The Cove surf forecast?
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.
What is the breaking wave height at The Cove?
The current breaking wave height at The Cove is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.5ft S wind swell swell at 4s. 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.
When is the best time to surf The Cove?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf The Cove is Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 3.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.