Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 6s period, SE swell with 292 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 (Aug 28) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fortress in the next 16 days are 2.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it, just for the Fortress.
Alright, folks, let's be straight with you. The outlook for the next couple of weeks is a real mixed bag, and to be honest, it's looking pretty flat and ordinary for most of it. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak swell and tricky winds. The only real standout, and I mean the *only* one that gets the blood pumping a little, is right at the very end of the forecast. The water temp is sitting at 70°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first few days through to the end of August are a write-off. Tiny waves, mostly under 2ft, with a weak SE windswell. The combined energy is pitiful, barely cracking 94 (94) on the best of it. Winds are a mix of cross and cross-off, but with such small surf, it’s just not worth paddling out.
Moving into the first week of September, things don't get much better. We get a pulse of SE swell on the 2nd, pushing up to 6ft, but the period is a short, weak 6 seconds. The wave energy jumps up to 336 (336), but with onshore winds, it’s going to be a messy, lumpy crumble. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session. The following days are back to tiny, weak surf, with the occasional offshore breeze offering a clean, but flat, surface.
The second week stays quiet, with nothing but ankle-biters. There’s a pulse of longer period swell on the 8th, with a 10-second period from the SSE, but the heights are a paltry 2ft, and the energy is moderate at best (124). It's a tease.
The Standout
Now, if you’re looking for a proper session, you’re going to have to wait. The best bet on the entire forecast is Wednesday, the 9th of September. The afternoon at Fortress is your window. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the SSW, which is solid, and the wind is cranking offshore from the West at 22 mph. That’s a full-on offshore wind, which will hold the waves up and keep them clean. The combined energy is moderate at 123 (123), so there’s some push behind it. The period is a bit short at 6 seconds, so it won't be the most powerful wave, but that offshore wind is a game-changer. That’s your one to circle on the calendar. It’s a long way out, so don’t book the day off yet, but it’s the only real hope of a decent surf in the next 16 days. The rest of the time, honestly, leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sun night, min 18°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 60mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
70 | 53 | 50 | 30 | 28 | 33 | 25 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 31 | 41 | 248 | 261 | 139 | 75 | 39 | 28 | 19 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:37AM0.85m | 8:44PM0.89m | 9:07AM0.89m | 9:17PM0.88m | 9:40AM0.92m | 9:54PM0.86m | 10:17AM0.94m | 10:34PM0.82m | 10:59AM0.94m | 11:19PM0.77m | 11:46AM0.94m | 00:10AM0.72m | 12:41PM0.91m | 1:10AM0.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:14PM0.06m | 2:37AM-0.01m | 2:55PM0.05m | 3:11AM-0.02m | 3:38PM0.04m | 3:47AM-0.01m | 4:22PM0.05m | 4:26AM0.01m | 5:11PM0.09m | 5:09AM0.04m | 6:06PM0.13m | 5:59AM0.08m | 7:14PM0.16m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | 9 | 12 | 3 | — | — | 34 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 27 |
Feels °C | 26 | 24 | 25 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 23 | 25 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 5 | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | SW 5 | — | SE 11 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 |
70 | 53 | 50 | 30 | 28 | 33 | 25 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 7 | 13 | — | 1 | — | 75 | 139 | 75 | 39 | 25 | 19 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | E 6 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 4 | SE 14 | SE 13 | — | — | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 5 |
24 | 17 | 10 | 17 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | 10 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 7 | — | — | 65 | 46 | 28 | 28 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 4 | — | E 5 | — | — | — | SSE 6 | — | S 10 | — | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — | — | SE 8 |
— | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 9 | 5 | — | — | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 3 | NE 3 | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SW 5 | — | SSW 5 | — | ESE 7 | SE 4 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | NW 3 |
— | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 13 | 60 | — | 7 | — | 31 | 41 | 248 | 261 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 9 | 122 | 2 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 2568 | 2359 | 15 | 803 | 1163 | 1163 | 1163 | 25 | 210 | 9 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
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.











