89°
Partly Sunny
5%
77
Cape May County, NJ · Atlantic Ocean
Cape May
America's oldest seaside resort and a National Historic Landmark — a Victorian town of 600+ gingerbread homes, tree-lined streets, the Washington Street pedestrian mall, and lifeguarded Atlantic sand along the Promenade. Regular sunset-watching at Sunset Beach on the Bay side.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
78°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 89°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Moderate rip current risk — nws: rip currents possible in the surf zone
67 /100
good
60 Swim
70 Sunbathe
81 Walk
77 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.7 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
89°F
Clear
Wind
10 to 15 mph
E
Rain
5%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
7:38 PM
6.2 ft · in 4.4h
Wave Height
3.3 ft
5s · E swell
Rip Current Risk
Moderate
NWS SRF · PHI · NJZ024 · Issued Jul 12, 8:36 AM
Tomorrow: Low
Water Quality
Clean
3 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:44 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:03 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:10 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 12:55 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 7:38 PM | High | 6.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:04 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 8:10 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 1:54 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 8:35 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 9:07 AM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 2:51 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 9:29 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:53 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 10:01 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 3:46 PM | Low | -0.3 ft |
| 10:21 PM | High | 6.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:44 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 10:53 AM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 4:41 PM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 11:12 PM | High | 6.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:32 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 11:44 AM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 5:35 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:01 AM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 6:19 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 12:34 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 6:30 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8536110, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
88°
Mostly Sunny
0%
83
84°
Sunny
0%
85
94°
Sunny
1%
73
89°
Sunny
2%
82
88°
Mostly Sunny
8%
81
88°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
17%
46
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 10 to 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 89°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Metered street and paid lots.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on beach/promenade May 15 – Sep 15. Leashed Sep 15 – May 15.
Entry Fee
Daily ~$10, three-day $20, weekly $25, seasonal $40
Address
Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Cape May today?
Cape May shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Cape May dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on beach/promenade May 15 – Sep 15. Leashed Sep 15 – May 15.
Is there an entry fee at Cape May?
Daily ~$10, three-day $20, weekly $25, seasonal $40
Are there lifeguards at Cape May?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Cape May during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Cape May?
Amenities at Cape May include lifeguards, Promenade, Victorian architecture, Washington Street mall, restaurants, restrooms, bike rentals.
When is the water warmest at Cape May?
Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.
Where is Cape May located?
Cape May is in Cape May County, NJ, at Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS