82°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
53%
18
Cape May County, NJ · Atlantic Ocean
Wildwood Crest
Ocean Ave & Trenton Ave, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
The southern, family-focused section of the Wildwoods — no boardwalk (it ends at Cresse Ave), quieter, residential, still with the signature wide white sand. The Doo-Wop motels along Atlantic Ave are the best-preserved mid-century roadside architecture on the East Coast.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 53% rain · NWS alert active
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A slight chance of rain showers before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 4am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Weather
- 82°F air — ideal beach weather
- 53% rain — rain likely at some point
- 20 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
Water
- 76°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- 3.9ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — tornado watch issued july 18 at 1:55pm edt until july 18 at 9:00pm edt by nws mount holly nj
10 /100
skip
0 Swim
29 Sunbathe
5 Walk
22 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Water level 0.8 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.
Small Craft Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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...From noon today to 4 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Weather alert in effect
Tornado Watch issued July 18 at 1:55PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Atmosphere
Air Temp
82°F
Clear
Wind
20 mph
S
Rain
53%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
7 High
High 01 PM–03 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
82°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
76°F
Swimming weather
Wave Height
3.9 ft
5s · S swell
Water Quality
Clean
3 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ANZ453)
The PHI office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- NJZ014 Eastern Monmouth — Sandy Hook Low
- NJZ026 Coastal Ocean — Long Beach Island Low
- NJZ025 Coastal Atlantic — Atlantic City Low
- NJZ024 Atlantic Coastal Cape May — Ocean City Low
- DEZ004 Delaware Beaches — Rehoboth Beach Low
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:48 AM
Sunset
8:22 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| 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 |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:50 AM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 7:05 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 1:25 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 7:26 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:39 AM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 7:52 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 2:17 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 8:23 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:31 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 8:38 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| 3:10 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 9:22 PM | Low | 0.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:24 AM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 9:26 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 4:04 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 10:22 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:21 AM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 10:17 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 4:58 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 11:22 PM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:18 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 11:08 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 5:50 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8536110, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
82°
Mostly Sunny
13%
82
82°
Sunny
1%
86
83°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
67%
17
82°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
78%
7
81°
Chance Rain Showers
27%
71
82°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
79
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Beach shelter or anchored canopy 20 mph wind — umbrellas will flip
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 76°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 53% rain chance
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Metered; season permits $250 starting Apr 1.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on beach in-season.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Ocean Ave & Trenton Ave, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Wildwood Crest today?
Wildwood Crest 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 Wildwood Crest dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on beach in-season.
Is there an entry fee at Wildwood Crest?
Entry to Wildwood Crest is free.
Are there lifeguards at Wildwood Crest?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Wildwood Crest during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Wildwood Crest?
Amenities at Wildwood Crest include lifeguards, Doo-Wop motels, restrooms, family beach.
When is the water warmest at Wildwood Crest?
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 Wildwood Crest located?
Wildwood Crest is in Cape May County, NJ, at Ocean Ave & Trenton Ave, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS