What is the current surf forecast for The Cove?
The current wave height at The Cove is 1-2ft with a 6s swell period. Wind is W at 2mph. Conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The Cove Surf Forecast, New Jersey
New Jersey
Right nowPoor
1-2ft
A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions.
A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions.
Swell
1.5ft
6s · E
Wind
2–10mph
W · Calm
Water
80°F
Boardshorts / rashguard
Tide
High
falling · low 7:37 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 4 PM localWind: model · 4 PM localTide: forecast
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at The Cove for the cleanest windows.
Registered at the buoy
Swell2.1ft @ 10s ESE
Wind wave0.8ft @ 3s SE
The Cove 5-Day Forecast Summary
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. 0-1ft waves to start the day on E swell at 6s.
Fri, Sep 4: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 11mph WNW winds.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 15mph out of the N.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Afternoon is the play — morning is only very poor at 0-1ft. Wind drops off and the surface cleans up — poor by afternoon.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate WNW wind around 12mph.
Daily Forecast
Hourly Forecast
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor today — get one free email when The Cove turns Good.
Check The Cove from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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
(9)
The Cove Surf Forecast FAQ
(9)What is the breaking wave height at The Cove?
The current breaking wave height at The Cove is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.5ft E wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.3ft SE secondary swell at 9s. 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 3 PM to 6 PM with 1ft waves, a 5.8s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
What swell and wind direction work best at The Cove?
The Cove 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.
What tide is best at The Cove?
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.
What kind of wave is The Cove and who is it for?
The Cove is a point with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. 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.
When is the best season to surf The Cove?
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.
Are there any hazards to know about at The Cove?
Common hazards at The Cove include rocks, strong currents, shallow sections, localism, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).