Cape May, NJ

MapLive · -

2h 15m of daylight left

Sunset at 11:30 PM

SKIPSkip

1.0/ 10 · Poor

Best time to ride

9 PM–10 PM

Next 12 hours

Probably not worth the paddle.

Tide window opening

Conditions

Wave

0.8 ft→

Sweet spot 2.5–6 ft

Period

2s→

Sweet spot 9–13 s

Wind

11 mph S→

Side-on

Tide

Next · Low 04:52 AM

Session plan

Skip

Probably not worth the paddle.

Cape May, NJ

SKIP

Peak window

9 PM–10 PM

Avg score 1.0/10

Why this score

Tide will shift conditions soon.

Wave height0.8 ft

Swell period2s

WindSide-on 11 mph

Current: 0.8 ft @ 2s • 11 mph wind. waves are mostly too small or too big to shine short period is making things weaker and choppier wind is starting to hurt shape a bit wind direction is fighting the banks and shape

Next 12 hours

Peak window 9 PM–10 PM

Today's read·Auto-generated from the forecast

Quiet day — 0.8 ft and not much to work with. Tide shift to low around 4:52 AM could change the picture.

9 PM

1.00.8ft

10 PM

1.00.8ft

11 PM

1.00.8ft

12 AM

1.10.8ft

1 AM

1.10.9ft

2 AM

3.31.0ft

3 AM

3.31.1ft

4 AM

1.51.1ft

5 AM

1.01.1ft

6 AM

1.01.1ft

7 AM

2.11.0ft

8 AM

3.60.9ft

Sunrise 10:28 AM Sunset 11:30 PM

Next 5 days

Best window

Best this week

6.2/10

Thursday, Sep 3 • 1 PM–2 PM

Wave 0.6 ft

Period 9s

Wind max 15 mph

Temp 73–89°F

Tuesday, Sep 1

4.7 / 10

Best: 7 AM–8 AM

Wave: 0.5 ft

Period: 7s

Wind max: 11 mph

Wednesday, Sep 2

5.1 / 10

Best: 7 AM–8 AM

Wave: 1.0 ft

Period: 11s

Wind max: 14 mph

Thursday, Sep 3

6.2 / 10

Best: 1 PM–2 PM

Wave: 0.6 ft

Period: 9s

Wind max: 15 mph

Friday, Sep 4

4.7 / 10

Best: 8 AM–9 AM

Wave: 1.0 ft

Period: 3s

Wind max: 18 mph

Saturday, Sep 5

3.5 / 10

Best: 1 PM–2 PM

Wave: 0.6 ft

Period: 5s

Wind max: 16 mph

Day	Best window	Score	Wave	Period	Wind max	Temp
Tuesday, Sep 1	7 AM–8 AM	4.7	0.5 ft	7s	11 mph	73–89°F
Wednesday, Sep 2	7 AM–8 AM	5.1	1.0 ft	11s	14 mph	74–78°F
Thursday, Sep 3	1 PM–2 PM	6.2	0.6 ft	9s	15 mph	73–89°F
Friday, Sep 4	8 AM–9 AM	4.7	1.0 ft	3s	18 mph	72–85°F
Saturday, Sep 5	1 PM–2 PM	3.5	0.6 ft	5s	16 mph	68–79°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