Broadway Beach:
Currently the most crowded spot in town, Broadway also offers the greatest variety of waves. The main peak is a consistently good left that breaks off the jetty, frequently shifting a little down the beach. There are also fun, wedgy rights, and lined-up lefts up and down the entire beach on a decent swell. While a northeast wind provides offshore conditions here, there is no size guarantee. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in quality. Beach tags are required, and surfing is not allowed during the day in summer. Bodyboarders dig this spot because they can ride unrestricted here all day long in the summer.
Be prepared to deal with aggressive crowds during big nor’easters and hurricane swells. It’s not uncommon to see 100 to 150 surfers out on a big nor’easter when the rest of the coast is giant and unsurfable. Alerted by all forms of media, longboarders, shortboarders and bodyboarders from the entire tri-state area converge on tiny Broadway Beach.
Poverty Beach:
Fast, hollow, barely makable waves break close to shore on this ultra-steep beach. It needs a big, long-period swell and a stiff north to northwest wind to really turn on. When it does, it’s worth the wait.
Queen Street:
Difficult lefts jack up suddenly, then wall up down the beach on big nor’easters. Once you get through the takeoff and first section, the wave becomes rippable. Queen Street doesn’t show its full potential until the swell is overhead. It’s also a popular longboarding spot on smaller summer days. Crowds are heavy on small summer days, with lots of grizzled longboarders and frantic groms, but things thin out when the surf gets serious.
Stockton Avenue:
Stockton lefts break off a rock jetty, but they need a bigger swell (chest-high to overhead) to show their full potential. This used to be the most consistent spot in town, but beach replenishment projects have screwed the sandbars.
Grant Street Beach:
Grant Street offers an experienced mix of longboarders and shortboarders seeking refuge from the insanity of neighboring Broadway Beach. However, it doesn’t cook until it’s head-high or bigger. It’s a friendly longboard spot on smaller days, but, at size, expect long lefts and shorter, punchy rights.
The Cove:
Lined-up lefts break off the last jetty in Cape May at 2nd Avenue. The wave is a bit tricky with size, and the current keeps pulling you out of position, but long rides are possible when it all connects. It’s also a popular longboarding spot and a great place for beginners on smaller days.