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.

Eats & Drinks 80 Stay 78 Shops 11 Charters & Tours 6

Today's Conditions

Ideal for a beach walk.

NWS alert active · 79°F water · 83°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 83. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph.

Weather

83°F air — ideal beach weather
Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

79°F water — warm — full-day swim weather

Safety

NWS alert active — small craft advisory issued september 9 at 1:09pm edt until september 10 at 2:00pm edt by nws mount holly nj

64 /100

good

48 Swim

77 Sunbathe

85 Walk

80 Photo

Best for walking today

Water level 0.5 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.

NOAA station 8536110 · Observed 1.23 ft · Predicted 0.69 ft

Small Craft Small Craft Advisory

Small Craft Advisory issued September 9 at 1:09PM EDT until September 10 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

NWS · In effect through Sep 10, 2:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 6 ft expected. * WHERE...Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Little Egg Inlet to Great Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM and Coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May NJ out 20 NM. * WHEN...Until 2 PM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

83°F

Clear

Wind

15 mph

Rain

This Afternoon

UV Peak

8 Very High

High 12 PM–02 PM · burn in ~25m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM

Tomorrow

85°F

Mostly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

79°F

Swimming weather

Next High Tide

8:07 PM

6.0 ft · in 50m

Wave Height

3.3 ft

4s · SW swell

Rip Current Risk

Low

NWS SRF · PHI · NJZ024 · Issued Sep 9, 3:16 AM

Tomorrow: Moderate

Barometer

29.87 inHg

1012 hPa · buoy 44009

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:35 AM

Sunset

7:18 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
1:37 AM	Low	0.4 ft
7:44 AM	High	5.1 ft
1:37 PM	Low	0.1 ft
8:07 PM	High	6.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
2:24 AM	Low	0.2 ft
8:35 AM	High	5.5 ft
2:30 PM	Low	0.0 ft
8:56 PM	High	6.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:06 AM	Low	0.1 ft
9:21 AM	High	5.7 ft
3:19 PM	Low	-0.0 ft
9:41 PM	High	5.9 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:46 AM	Low	0.1 ft
10:05 AM	High	5.8 ft
4:06 PM	Low	0.1 ft
10:23 PM	High	5.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:24 AM	Low	0.2 ft
10:46 AM	High	5.8 ft
4:50 PM	Low	0.3 ft
11:05 PM	High	5.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:02 AM	Low	0.4 ft
11:27 AM	High	5.7 ft
5:35 PM	Low	0.5 ft
11:46 PM	High	5.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:41 AM	Low	0.6 ft
12:09 PM	High	5.5 ft
6:20 PM	Low	0.8 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8536110, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Sep 9

83°

Sunny

Thu Sep 10

85°

Mostly Sunny

Fri Sep 11

81°

Chance Rain Showers

27%

Sat Sep 12

81°

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

17%

Sun Sep 13

84°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

69%

Mon Sep 14

83°

Mostly Sunny

Tue Sep 15

82°

Mostly Sunny

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 79°F

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

lifeguardsPromenadeVictorian architectureWashington Street mallrestaurantsrestroomsbike rentals

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.