All depends on the CURRENTS that sweep ACROSS the mouth of this inlet. So in addition to all the typical rage conditions you really have to keep in mind the lateral currents running that create adverse side currents when in the 'throat' of this inlet. I usually shoot on the RED side when entering ... and the usual 'entrance bar' on the north side seemed to be 'missing' (I saw nothing less than 25ft. where there is normally a 'bar'), at least a few days ago. With a northerly flowing current the 'GREEN' side will be much worse than the shorter jettied RED side --- I use the NOAA current station off the 'bay side inlet' as my 'guide' for cross-wise tidal current when entering Cape May 'ocean side' inlet. Like all NJ inlets your really cant SEE what is going on IN the inlet throat when there is a rage going on and its too damn late to do a 180 and go back out and wait.

Other ...
I noticed that since Irene, the 'very close to the beach' channel around Cape May 'Point' had filled in by about 4+ft. on the 'ocean side' --- still passable for a deep draft but definitely going to be 'squirreley' during a high tide flow until is 'clears'. This is the close-in channel to the Del. Bay where you can 'spit on the beach' very close to the Cape May 'point'. Cross it at 'dead slack' and you wont have a problem -- and save ~2 hours instead of going 'out and around' to enter the Delaware Bay.

LOTS of water still coming down the Delaware Bay and Del. River due to the flooding from Irene although the tide at the entrance to the C&D canal will be later and higher. I got a westward boost through the C&D instead of an ebb flow a few days ago. Use http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=phi&gage=rdyd1&view=1,1,1,1,1,1%22 for observing tidal height for traveling the Upper Delaware .... still near flood stage as of this AM.