
Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, SSW swell with 247 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with S 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 (Aug 14) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fortress in the next 16 days are 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Fortress has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – this is a tough run. The water temp is sitting at about 73°F, which is pretty average for this time of year, no drama there. But the surf... well, it’s a lean stretch.
Right from the start, Monday the 10th is a write-off. Tiny 2 ft southerly slop on a short 5-second period, with a messy cross-shore wind. Don’t even bother.
We’ve got a real dry spell here. From Tuesday the 11th all the way through to Saturday the 16th, it’s just ankle-biters. Heights stay between 1 ft and 3 ft, all from the south or south-southwest, with periods mostly around 5-7 seconds. Even on the rare occasions the wind goes offshore or clean, there’s just not enough oomph in the water. The combined swell energy is in the weak zone – hitting as low as 14 and peaking at only 31. There’s no saving it.
Sunday the 17th gets a little interesting, but it’s not pretty. Monday morning the 17th shows a 5 ft south swell with a short 6-second period and a strong cross-onshore wind at 25 mph – just messy and lumpy. By Monday afternoon, the swell pushes up to 6 ft from the south-southwest (270 combined energy – that’s moderate energy now) and the wind switches to a cross-offshore, so it cleans up. But with a 7-second period, the waves will be crumbly and fat. Still, it’s the first proper size all run. I’d call it a marginal day at best – only for those who are really jonesing.
Now, here’s where it gets weird and a little promising. Tuesday morning the 18th: we’ve got a 2 ft swell, but it’s from the southeast with a very long 15-second period. The combined energy is 202 (moderate) and it’s clean with a light cross-offshore breeze. Now, a long-period groundswell like that at a reef break like Fortress (exposed to southeast) means the waves will have some real shape and push. But a 2 ft south-east swell with 15-second period? It might be glassy and rideable, but it’s likely to be very sleepy between sets and breaking straight. Worth a paddle if you’re desperate, but not a standout.
Wednesday the 19th sees that long-period energy peak in the afternoon: 2 ft from the southeast with a 17-second period and a combined energy of 424 – that’s strong wave energy! But look at the wind: moderate cross-shore from the SSW at 12 mph, putting a cross-chop on it. For a reef break, that long-period SE groundswell with cross-shore wind could turn it into a bumpy, shifting mess. It’s a real tease.
Thursday the 20th morning cleans up a bit with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is only 3 ft from the southeast (10 seconds, 213 combined energy). Better than nothing, but not what you’d call firing.
From the 21st right through to the 25th, it’s back to weak, short-period onshore windswell. Heights hover around 1 ft to 4 ft, but the wind is always cross-on or onshore and the periods are short (5-7 seconds). Combined energy drops back below 200, often well below. The 23rd and 24th even see onshore ESE winds. Just a flat, sloppy end to the outlook.
So, what’s the best on offer?
Honestly, the Tuesday morning 18th session is the most surfable wave. It’s only 2 ft, but that very long 15-second SE groundswell with light offshore wind will give a clean, lined-up wave on the reef. Just don’t expect power or size.
The Wednesday afternoon 19th has the most energy in the water (424 combined energy), but that cross-shore wind is going to spoil it. If you’re an expert who can work with a tricky wind, maybe. Otherwise, it’s a no-go.
The Monday afternoon 17th is the only day with real size (6 ft), but the short period means it’s going to be fat and won’t hold a good shape. Beginners should stay clear of anything over 5 ft.
Overall, this is a long, lean run with very few windows. The first week is a total dud. The second week teases with some long-period energy but can’t get the wind to play ball. It’s a waiting game at Fortress.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Fri morning, light winds from the WNW by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 4 | S 6 | S 5 | S 6 | S 7 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 40 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 13 | 27 | 38 | 24 | 24 | 98 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:49PM1.02m | 7:18AM0.85m | 7:42PM1.05m | 8:09AM0.92m | 8:30PM1.05m | 8:57AM0.98m | 9:15PM1.02m | 9:42AM1.00m | 9:57PM0.97m | 10:26AM1.00m | 10:37PM0.90m | 11:09AM0.98m | 11:13PM0.82m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:04AM-0.03m | 12:50PM-0.04m | 1:49AM-0.08m | 1:44PM-0.07m | 2:30AM-0.10m | 2:34PM-0.08m | 3:10AM-0.09m | 3:22PM-0.05m | 3:46AM-0.07m | 4:08PM-0.01m | 4:21AM-0.02m | 4:53PM0.05m | 4:55AM0.03m | |||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 26 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 9 | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SE 8 | S 6 | S 5 | S 6 | S 7 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SE 8 | SSE 8 |
4 | 18 | 23 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 3 | 40 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 13 | 27 | 38 | 24 | 3 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | — | SE 9 | SE 8 | ENE 4 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 13 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | — |
1 | 4 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | E 15 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 14 | E 10 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 7 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | — | — | SSW 6 | — | NE 3 | — | SW 4 | — | S 4 | WSW 3 | NW 4 | W 3 | N 3 | N 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | S 7 | SSW 5 |
13 | — | — | 25 | — | 4 | — | 18 | — | 19 | 2 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 24 | 98 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 387 | 404 | 15 | 2521 | 675 | 801 | 3347 | 2 | 803 | 2558 | 0 | 722 | 3406 | 819 | 668 | 668 | 51 | 678 | 1065 | 273 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Long Island New York | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











