Cape May Area Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

New JerseyNear Avalon, Cape May CountyNWS zone NJZ024NWS Philadelphia/Mt Holly

Rip current risk today: Moderate. Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.

Surf 2 to 3 feet, water in the lower 70s. Buoy CMAN4, 14 mi out, measured 76 °F water. Sunset 6:59 PM.

Rip current risk: ModerateToday
Surf: 2 to 3 feetForecast
Water: In the lower 70sForecast
Sunset: 6:59 PMEDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Cape May Area Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force

No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Cape May Area Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 329 PM EDT, 9/20/2026.

Today Monday

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: 2 to 3 feet
Water temperature: In the lower 70s
UV index: Moderate
High temperature: In the mid 70s
Weather: Partly sunny
Wind: Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph
Thunderstorms: None

UV index 3 to 5. Cover up and stay in the shade near midday.

Tomorrow Tuesday

High rip current risk

Rip current risk: High
Surf: 3 to 5 feet
High temperature: In the lower 70s
Weather: Cloudy. Showers likely
Wind: Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph
Thunderstorms: None

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Atlantic Coastal Cape May. Issued 3:29 PM EDT on Sun, Sep 20 by the National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mt Holly.

Monday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: 2 to 3 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Moderate
Water Temperature: In the lower 70s
Weather: Partly sunny
High Temperature: In the mid 70s
Winds: Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph
Tides, Cape May: Low at 10:15 AM EDT. High at 05:01 PM EDT
Sunrise: 6:45 AM
Sunset: 7:00 PM

Tuesday

Rip Current Risk: High
Surf Height: 3 to 5 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
Weather: Cloudy. Showers likely
High Temperature: In the lower 70s
Winds: Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph
Tides, Cape May: Low at 11:11 AM EDT. High at 05:49 PM EDT
Sunrise: 6:46 AM
Sunset: 6:58 PM

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

The product as issued

FZUS51 KPHI 201929
SRFPHI

Surf Zone Forecast for New Jersey and Delaware
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
329 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

NJZ014-210915-
Eastern Monmouth-
Including the beaches of Sandy Hook
329 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Moderate. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 70s. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny until 2 PM, then cloudy. 
High Temperature............Around 70. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 15 mph.
Tides...
   Belmar...................Low at 09:44 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:01 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:42 AM. 
Sunset......................6:57 PM.

.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph.
Tides...
   Belmar...................Low at 10:37 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:56 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:43 AM. 
Sunset......................6:55 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

NJZ026-210915-
Coastal Ocean-
Including the beaches of Long Beach Island
329 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Moderate. 
Water Temperature...........In the upper 60s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the lower 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph.
Tides...
   Barnegat Inlet...........Low at 10:17 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:30 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:42 AM. 
Sunset......................6:57 PM.

.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Tides...
   Barnegat Inlet...........Low at 11:08 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:19 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:43 AM. 
Sunset......................6:56 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

NJZ025-210915-
Coastal Atlantic-
Including the beaches of Atlantic City
329 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Moderate. 
Water Temperature...........In the mid 60s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the lower 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
Tides...
   Atlantic City............Low at 09:54 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:27 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:44 AM. 
Sunset......................6:58 PM.

.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Tides...
   Atlantic City............Low at 10:50 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:15 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:44 AM. 
Sunset......................6:57 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

NJZ024-210915-
Atlantic Coastal Cape May-
Including the beaches of Ocean City
329 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Moderate. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 70s. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the mid 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
Tides...
   Cape May.................Low at 10:15 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:01 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:45 AM. 
Sunset......................7:00 PM.

.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the lower 70s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Tides...
   Cape May.................Low at 11:11 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:49 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:46 AM. 
Sunset......................6:58 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

DEZ004-210915-
Delaware Beaches-
Including the beaches of Rehoboth Beach
329 PM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Moderate. 
Water Temperature...........In the mid 70s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tides...
   Rehoboth Beach...........Low at 10:01 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:48 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:46 AM. 
Sunset......................7:01 PM.

.TUESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................3 to 5 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the lower 70s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds 20 to 25 mph.
Tides...
   Rehoboth Beach...........Low at 10:56 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:36 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:47 AM. 
Sunset......................7:00 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy CMAN4, 8536110 - Cape May, NJ, 14 mi away, reported 5:00 PM.

Water temperature: 76 °F
Air temperature: 76 °F
Wind: 10 kt from the S

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Tides today

Stone Harbor, Great Channel, 2.3 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

High tide3:26 AM3.5 ft
Low tide9:23 AM1.3 ft
High tide4:10 PM4.4 ft
Low tide10:44 PM1.4 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Stone Harbor, Great Channel.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:45 AM
Sunset today: 6:59 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:46 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 6:57 PM

Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

Ocean City

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

No thunderstorms are in the forecast today. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office PHI, issued 329 PM EDT, 9/20/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone NJZ024.