Cape May Tide Chart
High and low tide times for Cape May, New Jersey. Plan your beach day with accurate NOAA predictions.
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Nearest airport: Atlantic City International (ACY)
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Data Source: Cape May Station
Southern-most NJ tide station at Cape May Harbor. Primary reference for the Cape May peninsula and Wildwoods.
View official NOAA data →Best Activities by Tide
Shell Hunting
Low tide exposes more beach and tidal pools
Swimming
Calmer currents on rising mid-tide
Surfing
Moving water creates better wave shape
Surf Fishing
Fish feed actively as tide pushes baitfish
More in Cape May
Cape May Monthly Tide Tables
Full high and low tide tables for Cape May by month — plan your beach vacation around the tides.
Explore Cape May
Water Quality at Cape May
ExcellentCongress has a 5-year average bacteria level of 2 CFU/100mL.
View Cape May water quality →Tide tip: Kayaking
More water in back bays and marshes.
Tide FAQs
What is the best tide for beach activities in New Jersey?
Low tide is ideal for shell hunting, exploring tidal pools, and maximizing beach space. Mid-tide rising is best for swimming as currents are calmer. High tide is often best for fishing from shore and surfing at certain breaks.
How often do tides change at the Jersey Shore?
The Jersey Shore experiences semi-diurnal tides, meaning two high tides and two low tides approximately every 24 hours and 50 minutes. Each tide cycle takes about 6 hours and 12 minutes.
Where can I find accurate tide predictions for NJ beaches?
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) provides official tide predictions for multiple stations along the Jersey Shore. Our tide charts use official NOAA CO-OPS data for accuracy.
What does MLLW mean in tide charts?
MLLW stands for Mean Lower Low Water, which is the average height of the lower of the two daily low tides. It is the standard reference datum for tide predictions in the United States.
Tide predictions provided by NOAA CO-OPS