Fortress Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.02° N 71.96° W

Fortress Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Fortress sea temperature is
21.0°C
0.4° 

Fortress surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Fortress surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, SSW swell with 330 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period with SE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fortress this week:

The surf forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Fortress in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Fri 4th Sep)1.5ft (0.5m) 8s
Best Surf 2AM (Fri 4th Sep)1.5ft (0.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 8AM (Thu 10th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's look at what we've got on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Fortress. We'll call it as it is.

To be straight with you, this outlook is a tough one. We're looking at a solid 16-day stretch, but the honest truth is there’s nothing good on offer for surfers here. It's a long, flat spell ahead with no real swell energy to speak of. The very first record we see is for Friday the 4th of September, and it's already a write-off.

We kick off on Friday the 4th with tiny 1ft swell from the ESE at a short 8 seconds. The combined energy is a weak 40. The wind is cross-off at 6 mph, but the waves are just too poor to get excited about. That same small, weak pattern holds right through the weekend. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th offer nothing but 1.0ft to 2ft of slop—periods are short, and the energy readings are mostly in the 20s and low 40s. It’s flat, plain and simple.

Monday the 7th sees a slight lift in period to 11 seconds, but it’s still only 2ft of swell. The morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, but the wave comment says it all: "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." Not worth rushing out for. That tiny energy of 68 backs that up.

The only real pulse in the whole period hits on Thursday the 10th of September. The swell jumps to 5ft to 6ft from the SSW, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs into the moderate range at 231 and 299. But look closer—that southerly swell is coming from the complete opposite direction to what Fortress likes. The optimum swell direction here is SE, so this SSW swell isn't wrapping in well. Plus, it’s a short-period windswell, and the wind is howling a fresh breeze at 22 mph, making for a raw, blown-out day. It’s no good for a paddle; this setup would be more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional surf. By Friday the 11th, it’s gone again, dropping to 3ft and fading fast.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. From Saturday the 12th through to Saturday the 19th of September, we’re looking at tiny waves—mostly under 3ft—with energy readings mostly below 100. There's a small bump on the 13th with 4ft from the ENE, but it’s onshore wind and a 6-second period, so it's messy. Even the final day on the 19th shows 4ft from the ESE with a fresh 19 mph offshore wind, but the energy is still only 122, and it's a 6-second period swell.

Honestly, for a spot that’s fairly consistent, it’s a painful stretch. Fortress is a reef break that needs that SE swell to light up, and it just isn’t happening. Nothing here peaks above a rating worth a mention. You’re better off waiting for the next system to roll through. Forecasts change, but this window is a write-off.

Stay patient.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri night, calm by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Mon night, calm by Wed afternoon).

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SE
8
0.4
ESE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.3
SE
8
0.3
SE
8
0.9
E
5
0.4
E
7
0.7
E
5
0.4
ESE
10
0.5
E
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
9
0.8
E
4
0.6
E
4
0.2
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
34
26
16
16
9
9
34
15
27
36
64
37
18
17
7
6
22
13
8
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
NNW
20
WNW
20
NNW
15
N
10
ESE
25
NE
20
NE
5
SE
20
NW
15
NNW
15
WSW
20
W
20
NW
20
WSW
15
N
5
E
15
W
30
WSW
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
on
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
High Tide
1:10AM0.68m
1:47PM0.89m
2:24AM0.66m
3:10PM0.89m
3:53AM0.69m
4:36PM0.91m
5:11AM0.75m
5:44PM0.94m
6:12AM0.83m
6:39PM0.98m
7:03AM0.91m
7:27PM0.99m
Low Tide
6:57AM0.12m
8:42PM0.18m
8:08AM0.14m
10:06PM0.15m
9:29AM0.13m
11:08PM0.10m
10:47AM0.09m
11:59PM0.04m
11:51AM0.04m
00:44AM-0.01m
12:46PM-0.02m
1:24AM-0.04m
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:16
7:15
7:14
7:12
7:10
7:08
7:07
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
24
23
27
26
21
21
20
17
19
20
19
24
22
20
24
24
21
21
22
Feels °C
25
24
26
23
19
21
18
13
19
17
16
20
16
17
20
21
21
22
19
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Fortress Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Fortress provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fortress can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fortress surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Fortress) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Fortress may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Fortress is 39 km (24 miles) from New London. If you plan a vacation in Long Island New York, look for hotels and other accommodation in New London. New London has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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