New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Poverty Beach, New Jersey. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with 8mph S winds.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph NNE winds.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate N wind around 9mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and poor with 14mph S winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 19mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 6s with strong WNW wind at 14mph. Surf tapers off through the afternoon to 0-1ft.
6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Poverty Beach sits near the southern tip of Cape May where the coastline curves to face south, picking up S and SSE swells that the rest of the Jersey Shore misses. The sandy bottom produces mellow, rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and those looking for uncrowded conditions away from the tourist-heavy Cape May beaches. North winds blow offshore here, making it a good option when NW winds are messing up the east-facing beaches further north.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Poverty Beach is 2-3ft with a 8.1s swell period. Wind is SE at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Poverty Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.9ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft SE secondary swell at 13s, a 0.5ft SSE 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 Poverty Beach is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 8.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Poverty Beach 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 Poverty Beach. 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.
Poverty Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Poverty Beach sits near the southern tip of Cape May where the coastline curves to face south, picking up S and SSE swells that the rest of the Jersey Shore misses. The sandy bottom produces mellow, rolling waves that are ideal for beginners and those looking for uncrowded conditions away from the tourist-heavy Cape May beaches. North winds blow offshore here, making it a good option when NW winds are messing up the east-facing beaches further north.
The prime season at Poverty Beach 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 Poverty Beach include shorebreak, occasional rips, beach erosion. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Poverty Beach 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.
