
Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, SW swell with 622 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fortress this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Fortress in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty. Look, I’ll be straight with you—this 16-day window for Fortress is a tough one. There’s a real quiet stretch at the start, and honestly, most of the run is flat or blown out. We’ve got a few moments where things get interesting, but you’ll have to be patient and pick your windows carefully.
The first real chance for a surf comes on Thursday, September 10th, a full week away. Up until then, it’s pretty much a write-off. From now through to Wednesday, September 9th, the swell barely breaks 2ft, period is short, and the energy is weak—down in the 30s and 40s. There’s nothing to get excited about.
Thursday morning, September 10th, is where the story changes. Fortress sees a sudden pulse of 8ft swell from the SW, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 906 (moderate to strong energy). The wind is WNW at 25 mph, offshore, so it’s clean—but that’s a strong breeze. This is a solid, punchy wave for experienced surfers. It’s too big for beginners, and the strong offshore wind will make paddling into it a real battle. The water temp is about 69°F, which is normal for the time of year. Thursday afternoon drops to 4ft from the SSW, still clean but with a fresh offshore breeze.
After that, it drops again. Friday September 11th through to Tuesday September 15th is mostly small, weak, and often cross-onshore—just not worth your time. The energy is low, under 100 most days, and the swell rarely hits 3ft.
There are a couple of real glassy moments that stand out for the patient soul. Saturday September 13th in the morning: glassy conditions, 2ft from the ESE, period 7 seconds. It’s small, but it’s clean. Then again on Thursday September 17th in the morning: glassy again, 3ft from the E, period 5 seconds. The energy is weak (53), but if you’ve got a longboard, these are your best windows for a peaceful, clean session.
The standout, though, is that Thursday September 10th morning. It’s the only time the swell really shows some muscle. The wind is offshore, the waves are clean, but it’s a strong breeze and a 8ft swell—experts only. After that, the rest of the run is a grind. Saturday September 12th afternoon has 3ft from the east with a light offshore, but it’s not great. The 18th and 19th of September show some S swell, but the wind is onshore or cross, so it’s messy.
If you’re looking for paddle surfing, you’re mostly out of luck. With the wind and swell combo on some of those days, a kite surfer might find it more interesting, but for a regular surfer, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon afternoon, near gales from the SW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SSW 7 | SW 8 | SSW 7 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 24 | 34 | 27 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 401 | 622 | 172 | 59 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:50AM0.98m | 8:11PM0.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:34PM-0.05m | 2:00AM-0.05m | |||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | E 7 | ESE 7 | SSW 6 | E 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 8 | ESE 9 | S 7 |
15 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 27 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 276 | 9 | 59 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 9 | S 6 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 |
17 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SW 4 | SE 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 | ENE 3 | E 5 | E 7 | SSW 6 | N 2 | NW 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 4 | SW 5 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | SW 8 | SSW 7 | NNE 4 |
2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 34 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 5 | 36 | 117 | 401 | 622 | 172 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 273 | 668 | 182 | 231 | 25 | 48 | 51 | 15 | 15 | 801 | 676 | 803 | 585 | 578 | 682 | 1155 | 68 | 62 | 32 |
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.










