
Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, S swell with 324 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with SSW 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 1.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s get into it. We’re looking at a pretty tough stretch here at Fortress. This is a reef setup, exposed to the swell, but the optimum direction is from the southeast, and we’re not getting that. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
The next week and a half is basically a write-off. From Wednesday the 15th right through to the 22nd, it’s all small, weak waves with a combined energy of just 63 to 90, and the period is a short, weak 6 seconds. The wind is mostly cross-off or onshore, but the waves are just too tiny and gutless to get excited about. There’s a glassy moment on Thursday morning the 16th, but it’s only 2 ft – you’d be fighting for a dribble.
We finally see a little pulse of energy on the 20th and 21st, with the wave height bumping up to a more solid 6 ft on Tuesday morning the 21st, and the combined energy hitting 541. That’s a moderate energy, and the period is still short at 7 seconds, but the wind is clean cross-off. The problem is the quality is still rated as marginal. It’s a step up, but not a standout.
The real glimmer of hope comes right at the end of the outlook. Monday the 27th of July afternoon has a solid 5 ft swell from the south with a period of 8 seconds, combined energy of 334, and a clean cross-off breeze. Then Tuesday the 28th morning looks the best on offer: a 5 ft south swell, period 8 seconds, combined energy of 408, and a light cross-off wind from the west-southwest. That’s the pick of the bunch – clean, punchy, and a decent size for this spot. The 30th of July morning also looks promising with a 5 ft swell, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 368, but that’s a long way off.
For a beginner, anything over 5 ft is getting big, so the 27th afternoon and 28th morning are for the more experienced crew. The short period means it won’t have that long, drawn-out groundswell feel, but it should be peaky enough for a reef. Crowds are often a factor here, so expect company if it’s good.
The long gap of poor surf from the 15th to the 22nd is a real bummer, but the late run at the end is worth keeping an eye on, especially that Tuesday morning. Don’t hold your breath for the early days.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, calm by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 25°C on Fri night, min 17°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | S 6 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
155 | 55 | 77 | 37 | 28 | 29 | 15 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 13 | 13 | 105 | 64 | 76 | 93 | 136 | 165 | 217 | 310 | 298 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:45PM1.09m | 9:16AM0.91m | 9:35PM1.07m | 10:07AM0.94m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:55AM-0.12m | 2:46PM-0.09m | 3:40AM-0.12m | 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 | ||||||||
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | |
8:19 | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 13 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 26 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 22 | 27 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 27 |
Feels °C | 23 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSW 6 | ESE 9 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SE 8 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 6 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | E 5 | S 7 | S 8 |
13 | 55 | 8 | 37 | 28 | 3 | 15 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 64 | 76 | 93 | 136 | 165 | 1 | 230 | 298 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 9 | S 17 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 15 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 8 | — | SE 13 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | E 12 | E 5 | E 6 |
— | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | — | 7 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 17 | SE 15 | — | SE 15 | — | SE 14 | — | — | SE 13 | — | — | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 5 | 9 | — | 9 | — | 8 | — | — | 7 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | W 3 | SSW 6 | — | — | SSW 6 | NNE 3 | ENE 3 | S 5 | S 6 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | N 3 | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | — | S 8 | SSW 7 | — |
155 | 3 | 77 | — | — | 29 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 23 | 13 | 13 | 105 | 3 | — | 2 | 8 | — | 217 | 310 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 273 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1117 | 668 | 676 | 2521 | 668 | 668 | 185 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 38 | 38 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
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.











