Fortress Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’m looking at the whole 16-day window here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough one. Right now, there’s nothing going on for the first few days. The swell is small, the wind is messy, and the surf is just poor. We’re looking at a bit of a blank run until things start to show a tiny bit of life around the middle of next week.

The only spot that ever gets a look-in is Fortress. It’s a reef break, exposed to the south, and it needs a clean S/SE swell to really work. The water temperature is sitting at 69°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 3°F below average, so you’ll feel that chill.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Tuesday, August 4th, in the morning. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best of a bad bunch. We’ve got a 4 ft south swell, with a short 8-second period, so it’s a bit weak and won’t have much punch. The combined energy is only 173 (moderate but low end). The big win here is the wind: absolutely glassy, a light NNE breeze at 3 mph. That means the surface will be clean, no chop. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The swell direction is straight south, which isn’t quite the optimum SE for Fortress, so it’ll be a bit wobbly and inconsistent – the break is only fairly consistent anyway. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Early on Wednesday, August 5th, we get a similar story – 4 ft south swell, short period, but with a light cross-offshore wind from the SW. That keeps it clean, but the swell is weak and the period is only 6 seconds, so it’s just small, mushy waves. Nothing special.

The Monday, August 3rd morning has a 5 ft south swell, and the combined energy jumps to 300 (moderate), but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-shore, making it lumpy and messy. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

Later in the Friday, August 14th afternoon, there’s a 6 ft SSW swell with a 7-second period, energy hitting 326 (moderate), but it’s onshore wind from the ESE, so it’ll be blown out and choppy. Not worth paddling out for.

Honestly, there’s no standout session in this 16-day stretch. The best you’ll get is that glassy Tuesday morning with small, weak waves. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window. Otherwise, the forecasts might change, but right now, it’s a quiet period.

Rusty.

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