Cape May, NJ

MapLive · -

4h 36m of daylight left

Sunset at 12:22 AM

SKIPSkip

2.0/ 10 · Poor

Best time to ride

11 PM–12 AM

Next 12 hours

Probably not worth the paddle.

Tide window opening

Conditions

Wave

1.4 ft→

Sweet spot 2.5–6 ft

Period

4s→

Sweet spot 9–13 s

Wind

9 mph SE→

Onshore

Tide

Next · Low 05:39 AM

Session plan

Skip

Probably not worth the paddle.

Cape May, NJ

SKIP

Peak window

11 PM–12 AM

Avg score 2.3/10

Why this score

Tide will shift conditions soon.

Wave height1.4 ft

Swell period4s

WindOnshore 9 mph

Current: 1.4 ft @ 4s • 9 mph wind. wave height is okay but not doing the heavy lifting short period is making things weaker and choppier light wind is keeping things clean wind direction is fighting the banks and shape

Next 12 hours

Peak window 11 PM–12 AM

Today's read·Auto-generated from the forecast

Quiet day — 1.4 ft and not much to work with. Tide shift to low around 5:39 AM could change the picture.

8 PM

2.01.4ft

9 PM

2.01.3ft

10 PM

1.01.8ft

11 PM

1.32.3ft

12 AM

3.22.8ft

1 AM

4.02.7ft

2 AM

4.02.6ft

3 AM

3.82.6ft

4 AM

2.32.3ft

5 AM

3.11.9ft

6 AM

3.51.6ft

7 AM

3.51.5ft

Sunrise 9:48 AM Sunset 12:22 AM

Next 5 days

Best window

Best this week

6.5/10

Wednesday, Jul 22 • 5 PM–6 PM

Wave 1.4 ft

Period 8s

Wind max 25 mph

Temp 71–84°F

Saturday, Jul 18

2.3 / 10

Best: 3 PM–4 PM

Wave: 1.5 ft

Period: 4s

Wind max: 20 mph

Sunday, Jul 19

4.2 / 10

Best: 6 PM–7 PM

Wave: 1.3 ft

Period: 3s

Wind max: 26 mph

Monday, Jul 20

2.2 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 0.7 ft

Period: 5s

Wind max: 11 mph

Tuesday, Jul 21

1.5 / 10

Best: 1 PM–2 PM

Wave: 2.5 ft

Period: 4s

Wind max: 25 mph

Wednesday, Jul 22

6.5 / 10

Best: 5 PM–6 PM

Wave: 1.4 ft

Period: 8s

Wind max: 25 mph

Day	Best window	Score	Wave	Period	Wind max	Temp
Saturday, Jul 18	3 PM–4 PM	2.3	1.5 ft	4s	20 mph	72–85°F
Sunday, Jul 19	6 PM–7 PM	4.2	1.3 ft	3s	26 mph	73–82°F
Monday, Jul 20	10 AM–11 AM	2.2	0.7 ft	5s	11 mph	70–81°F
Tuesday, Jul 21	1 PM–2 PM	1.5	2.5 ft	4s	25 mph	73–85°F
Wednesday, Jul 22	5 PM–6 PM	6.5	1.4 ft	8s	25 mph	71–84°F

Spot intelWetsuit, hazards & notes

Not beginner-friendly today

Beginner basics

Where to go

Find a stretch of beach without a jetty in either direction (between Cove Beach and the Convention Hall area can work). Pick a small, organized day and stay between lifeguards.

What to avoid

Don't paddle near the rock jetties — wave reflection plus rocks is a beginner's worst case. Strong rips form between jetties on bigger swell, so skip the spot when it's overhead.

Best beginner conditions

Waist-high E or SE swell, 9-12s period, light NW or N wind, mid to high tide. Calm summer mornings before the wind swings onshore.

New to surfing? Read the beginner guide →

Wetsuit

Summer setup

Season-based baseline. Water temp varies week to week.

Full guide

Boardshorts / Bikini

Or 2mm top on windy mornings

2mm Springsuit / Shorty

If you get cold easily

Spot notes