All beaches

Cape May

Beach break

3/10 · PASSGREEN
Updated today

Small — offshore NW @ 16.

0mph. Ideal swell angle.

0-1ft ankle9s SE
16mphOffshore
52°3/2mm
LOW
Swell
Peak 6a0-1ft ankle @ 5s
5a8a11a2p5p8p9p
Sunrise 6:35amAir 44°F
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Spot guide

Facing

SE (southeast-facing — tip of NJ peninsula picks up wide swell window)

Ideal swell

E, ENE, NE — unique orientation picks up NE swells well

Ideal wind

NW, W (offshore)

Tide

Works at all tides

Break type

Beach break

Ability level

Beginner to Intermediate

Crowd

Light to moderate

Hazards

Rip currents, tidal currents near inlet

Best season

Fall and winter — NE storms a specialty here

Bottom

Sand

Local knowledge

Southernmost tip of NJ with a unique orientation that picks up NE swells that miss most of the Jersey Shore. Gets offshore NW winds when the rest of the coast is blown out. A hidden gem for northeast swells in fall/winter.

Beach fee

IN SEASON (Memorial Day–Labor Day): Beach tag required. Season $40 early (before June 1), $50 regular. Daily $10. 3-day $20. Children 11 and under free. Veterans and active military free with ID. Tags available at Beach Tag HQ at 704 Beach Ave and boardwalk kiosks. Cash or check only. Off-season (after Labor Day): FREE.

Parking

Free street parking throughout Cape May. No paid municipal lots for beach access. Some metered parking in the Victorian downtown shopping district. Off-season: park anywhere with ease. Summer weekends fill quickly — side streets several blocks back are free.

Transit

NJ Transit Cape May Line bus service from Atlantic City. NJ Transit/Greyhound bus from NYC (~3.5 hours). Cape May–Lewes Ferry from Delaware (car + passengers). Cape May is the end of the line — most convenient to drive.