Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, SE swell with 77 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fortress in the next 16 days are 0.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
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’s on the cards for your local stretch. We’ve got a pretty quiet start, so don’t rush to the water just yet. We’re talking about Fortress (a reef break, exposed to the swell) and the first couple of weeks are looking flat and uninspiring for the most part. There’s a big gap with next to no surf worth paddling for, stretching from now all the way until the end of the first week of September. The only real light on the horizon comes in a few distinct windows, but they’re a bit of a wait.
Alright, let’s break it down. For most of August and into the very start of September, the surf is just too small and weak to bother with. We’re looking at tiny waves—1 ft to 2 ft—with poor surf conditions. The combined swell energy is pathetic, barely reaching three-digit figures. The wind is mostly cross-off or cross, but with heights that small, it’s not going to get you anywhere. Expect a lot of days with “poor surf conditions” or just “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s a frustrating stretch, honestly. There’s a little blip on Thursday the 28th of August afternoon with a 3 ft swell and a short 5 second period, but the energy is still weak (104), and it’s not worth getting excited over. The following days stay tiny until we hit the start of September.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is our first real standout. We’ve got a 4 ft swell pouring in from the ESE with a solid 13 second period, and the combined energy finally kicks up to a moderate 429. The wind is offshore from the WNW, light, at 6 mph. That means clean, lined-up waves at Fortress. This is a reef break, so that longer period groundswell is going to wrap in nicely. It’s not huge—still fine for intermediates—but the quality is there. Thursday the 3rd of September actually sees a bump up to 7 ft from the east, but the period drops to 8 seconds and the wind turns cross-shore, bringing marginal conditions. That’s more of a challenge: 7 ft is getting into expert territory for some, and the shorter period means it might be a bit lumpy and closed-out at a reef. Keep that in mind.
If you ask me, the absolute best call is Friday the 4th of September. The morning delivers a 4 ft swell from the east with an 8 second period, but here’s the beauty: the wind goes glassy. Literally glass. 3 mph from the NW with a “glassy” wind state. The combined energy is a healthy 345, and conditions are rated as “expect good surf.” Clean, smooth, offshore conditions at a reef. That’s the one you circle on the calendar. The afternoon stays glassy too, with a smaller 2 ft SE swell and a very long 13 second period (275 energy). It will drop off in size, but still clean.
After that, the weekend of the 5th and 6th sees the wind turn cross-onshore and choppy, with 3–3 ft swell. Not the move. The following week (7th to 9th of September) drops right back down to tiny, weak surf with onshore or cross-onshore wind. It’s a dead end.
So, to sum it up: don’t waste your time until Wednesday the 2nd of September. The two standouts are that Wednesday morning with the 4 ft offshore clean waves (429 energy, ESE swell), and Friday the 4th of September morning with the glassy 4 ft east swell (345 energy). That Friday morning is the best of the lot – glassy conditions at a reef are hard to beat. Just be aware that the Saturday and Sunday after that turn rubbish. Plan around those two windows.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon night, min 18°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 18°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSW 5 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | S 5 | S 5 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
36 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 39 | 46 | 72 | 72 | 50 | 60 | 57 | 38 | 53 | 46 | 38 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:56AM0.68m | 7:13PM0.84m | 7:34AM0.74m | 7:45PM0.87m | 8:07AM0.80m | 8:14PM0.88m | 8:37AM0.85m | 8:44PM0.89m | 9:07AM0.89m | 9:17PM0.88m | 9:40AM0.92m | 9:54PM0.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:32AM0.16m | 12:09PM0.19m | 1:04AM0.11m | 12:53PM0.14m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:34PM0.10m | 2:05AM0.02m | 2:14PM0.06m | 2:37AM-0.01m | 2:55PM0.05m | 3:11AM-0.02m | 3:38PM0.04m | 3:47AM-0.01m | ||||||
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
7:32 | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Feels °C | 21 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 6 | ESE 6 | SSW 5 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
36 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 39 | 46 | 72 | 72 | 50 | 58 | 47 | 38 | 39 | 31 | 38 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 4 | — | S 6 | — | — | E 11 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — |
30 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 4 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 34 | 53 | 46 | 31 | 18 | 10 | 6 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | N 3 | E 9 | — | — | — |
5 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 3 | SW 4 | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | S 4 | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 |
— | 1 | 15 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 60 | 57 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 193 | 222 | 15 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 163 | 1155 | 191 | 10 | 0 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 668 | 2580 | 2359 |
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.











