Broadway (Cape May)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Chop
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Broadway in Cape May is an exposed beach and jetty break that delivers consistent surf and can work at any time of year. The break is generally beginner-friendly, but it’s shaped by nearby wooden and stone jetties that can also create hazards and shifting sandbars. For wind and swell alignment, north to northwest winds are described as producing the cleanest offshore conditions. Surf performance is reported to be best when swell interacts well with the sandbars formed around the jetties, with conditions often most favorable around mid tide. September is consistently highlighted as the standout month for getting rideable, cleaner waves. Safety is a key consideration: jellyfish are reported as a hazard, and rip currents can form near the jetties. Summer crowds can also affect the session, and access can be regulated during the summer season with seasonal beach tags and designated surfing zones during lifeguard hours. Water conditions are cold outside the warmer months, and winter sessions require full cold-water gear (including a neoprene hood, gloves, and boots). Local guidance emphasizes checking sandbars after major storms because they can move quickly around the jetties, changing how well waves peel and offer rides.
- Exposed beach/jetty break with consistent surf
- North/northwest winds tend to create the cleanest offshore conditions
- Jetty sandbars frequently influence wave shape
- September is typically the best month for surf
- Consistent surf that can work year-round
- Beginner-friendly conditions reported
- Strong sandbar/jetty influence that can improve wave shape when conditions line up
- Exposed break with occasional rip currents near the jetties
- Jellyfish risk
- Can be crowded at times (especially summer)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as often frontal; north/northwest directions provide cleaner offshore conditions for the break.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- September
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small to medium surf described depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water described as chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach access along the promenade area.
Through the year
Highly crowded during June to August; much quieter during autumn and winter months.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/jetty break with consistent surf that can work year-round; often produces clean, rideable waves in September. Often best around mid tide when swell interacts well with sandbars near the jetties.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, SSE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best around mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/jetty setting; wooden/stone jetties and associated sandbars shape the break, but the overall location remains exposed.
- Wind Effect
- North and northwest winds provide the cleanest offshore conditions; best in offshore north winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may close out if the period is too short.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling, medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short to medium-length rides depending on sandbar configuration.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer short to medium-length rides depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Broadway (Cape May) in the full forecast view.
Broadway (Cape May) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NNE31°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2712 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–0.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 10–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Broadway (Cape May) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.4–0.8 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- jetties
- rip currents near the jetties
- jellyfish
- summer crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for emergencies; rescue availability reported as limited.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Beach tags are required for access during the summer season; surfing is typically restricted to designated areas during lifeguard hours.
- Seasonal beach tag required during summer
- Surfing zones during summer (during lifeguard hours)
- Check the sandbars after major storms; they frequently shift around the jetties.
- Winter surfing requires full cold-water gear.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape May
- Nearest Town
- Cape May
- Parking
- Metered street parking is available along Beach Avenue and adjacent side streets.
- Access
- Public beach access along the Broadway and Beach Avenue promenade area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals are available within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and cafes are located along the promenade and downtown Cape May.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops in Cape May provide rentals and gear.
- Gear Storage
- Not clearly specified for this spot; regional guidance notes limited storage availability.
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair available at local surf shops nearby.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Cape May blends a National Historic Landmark City atmosphere with well-known beaches, plus strong nature and wildlife viewing.
Historic 1859 lighthouse offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.
Historic Victorian architecture and designated historic district.
An 18-room Victorian house museum providing a glimpse into the lifestyle of the late 19th century.
Boat tours for whale and dolphin watching in the Atlantic and Delaware Bay.
Bird watching at Cape May Point State Park, known for migratory birds.
Popular local craft brewery with an extensive tasting room and beer garden.
Fresh seafood and local cuisine.
Beach walking, shell collecting, and nature trails.
A three-block outdoor pedestrian mall featuring unique shops, eateries, and ice cream parlors.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Broadway (Cape May)?
The best overall months at Broadway (Cape May) are September.
Which wind directions work at Broadway (Cape May)?
Broadway (Cape May) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Broadway (Cape May) suitable for?
Broadway (Cape May) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.