
Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, S swell with 930 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fortress in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about what’s coming up at Fortress. This is a reef set-up, and honestly, for the next few days, it’s looking pretty flat. There’s a bit of a wait on our hands.
The first good news doesn’t roll in until Sunday the 19th. That morning, we’ll see a new SSW swell push in at about 5 feet, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind will be offshore from the West, so the lineup should be clean. Wave energy is moderate (247) so there’s some push to it. For a beginner-friendly reef, this is the best we’ve got in the early run. The water is sitting at 68°, which is a touch colder than average for this time of year.
We then get a bit of a lull before the next good window. Monday the 20th morning is glassy with a 3 foot S swell, but it’s only 8 seconds, and the energy is still moderate (148). It’s surfable, but nothing to get too excited about.
The next real standout is Wednesday the 22nd. The morning kicks off with a 5 foot S swell, 8 seconds, and a fresh NW offshore wind, creating clean conditions. Energy is solid (333). That afternoon, it drops slightly to 5 feet but the WNW offshore continues, making for a good long session. This is the pick of the bunch for the first week.
After that, things get messy. Strong winds and onshore slop take over through the 23rd and 24th. Not worth paddling out.
Then, on Saturday the 25th, we get a nice surprise. A morning session with a 4 foot SE swell, 8 seconds, and a gentle offshore from the West. The energy is moderate (232) and the conditions will be clean. It’s a small, fun day for the crew who don’t mind the lower end.
The final swell of note hits on Sunday the 26th, but it’s a tricky one. The morning shows a 8 foot S swell, 8 seconds, with a cross-shore wind. The energy is strong (919), but the wind is messy. This one is for experienced surfers only, and even then, the wind might make it a battle. The afternoon drops to 5 feet but the cross-onshore picks up, making it a write-off.
After that, the forecast fades into small, weak, and wind-affected surf right through the end of the month. Nothing worth chasing.
So, to wrap it up: the best call is Wednesday the 22nd, with the clean offshore winds and solid 5 to 5 foot swell. Sunday the 19th is the next best, but a touch smaller. Don’t sleep on the glassy morning of Monday the 20th if you’re after a quiet paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu night, strong winds from the SW by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, near gales from the SSW by Wed morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | S 4 | SSW 5 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 13 | 14 | 24 | 9 | 20 | 13 | 69 | 163 | 182 | 98 | 112 | 104 | 124 | 71 | 62 | 188 | 575 | 450 | 228 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:23PM1.02m | 10:56AM0.95m | 11:08PM0.94m | 11:45AM0.94m | 11:52PM0.85m | 12:33PM0.91m | 00:35AM0.76m | 1:24PM0.88m | 1:18AM0.68m | 2:18PM0.84m | 2:02AM0.61m | 3:18PM0.80m | 2:56AM0.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:39PM-0.06m | 4:23AM-0.09m | 4:31PM-0.02m | 5:04AM-0.05m | 5:25PM0.05m | 5:44AM0.01m | 6:20PM0.11m | 6:23AM0.07m | 7:21PM0.17m | 7:03AM0.12m | 8:32PM0.22m | 7:48AM0.17m | 9:44PM0.24m | |||||||
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 23 | 25 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 8 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 11 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
3 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 163 | 182 | 98 | 112 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 575 | 450 | 228 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 14 | SE 8 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — |
9 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 15 | — | — | SE 14 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | SE 12 | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | — | — | — | — |
— | 9 | — | — | 8 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 6 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | — | NNE 3 | S 6 | SSW 3 | S 5 | S 4 | SSW 5 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | N 3 | — | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | — | — | NNW 4 |
16 | — | 1 | 24 | 4 | 20 | 13 | 69 | 6 | 4 | 8 | — | 104 | 124 | 71 | 62 | 188 | — | — | 14 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1791 | 1117 | 15 | 2521 | 668 | 1732 | 678 | 365 | 1452 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 1155 | 1155 | 185 | 55 | 0 |
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.










