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: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 11mph S winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 22mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 8mph WSW winds.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with gentle WSW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 9mph SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate SSW wind around 12mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
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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.
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 9.2s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph 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 0.5ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 0.3ft ESE secondary swell at 10s, a 0.8ft SSW 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 Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 7.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
