Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, SSE swell with 114 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m 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 1.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. Rusty here, and I gotta be honest – it’s a tough stretch ahead for the Fortress. We’re in a real flat spell, and there’s not much to get stoked about.
The first few days are a total washout. Sunday the 16th, we’ve got a 0.2m south swell with a 6-second period, and the energy is a measly 8. It’s glassy in the morning, but there’s just no wave to ride. That’s the story for the first week – a whole lot of nothing.
We get a little pulse on Monday the 18th. The morning shows a 1.0m swell from the SSE, with a 7-second period. The energy is moderate at 127, and it’s clean with a light cross-offshore breeze from the north. This is the best we’ll see for a while, but it’s still just *surfable* – not a standout. The quality is ordinary, and the reef is exposed, so it’s not doing us any favors.
After that, there’s a gap of several days with no solid recommendations. The swell flickers – a 0.9m onshore mess on the 21st, some glassy conditions on the 23rd with only 0.3m – but it’s all poor surf. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
The only thing that gets my attention is way out in the second week, on the 27th of August. The Thursday morning shows a 0.7m swell from the SE with a 12-second period – that’s a nice, long-period groundswell. The energy is 240 (moderate to strong), and it’s clean with a cross-offshore wind from the northwest. It’s promising, but it’s still a small wave. It’s a long-range call, so don’t get too attached.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The 30th and 31st see a bump in size – 1.5m to 1.8m – but with onshore winds, it’s just a choppy, ugly mess. The energy on the 31st is 339, which is strong, but with the wind on it, it’s a total bust for surfing. If you’re into kite surfing, that onshore slop might be fun, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a hard pass.
Honestly, the only real standout is that Thursday morning the 27th. It’s a small, clean, long-period wave with decent energy. It’s the only time in the 16-day window where the stars align for a clean session. The Fortress is a reef break, and crowds are “often,” so expect some company.
Keep your board waxed and your eyes on that Thursday. It’s a long wait, but it’s the only genuine shot we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 24°C on Sun night, min 20°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 4 | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 5 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 3 | 17 | 41 | 83 | 64 | 101 | 114 | 64 | 40 | 27 | 25 | 12 | 27 | 18 | 26 | 31 | 62 | 62 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:37PM0.90m | 11:09AM0.98m | 11:13PM0.82m | 11:52AM0.93m | 11:48PM0.74m | 12:35PM0.87m | 00:23AM0.67m | 1:23PM0.81m | 1:03AM0.61m | 2:23PM0.77m | 1:53AM0.57m | 3:43PM0.74m | 3:07AM0.55m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:21AM-0.02m | 4:53PM0.05m | 4:55AM0.03m | 5:39PM0.12m | 5:30AM0.09m | 6:28PM0.20m | 6:07AM0.15m | 7:27PM0.26m | 6:51AM0.20m | 8:51PM0.30m | 7:45AM0.24m | 10:13PM0.29m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  |  | |
 | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | 7:46 | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 5 | SE 8 | ESE 5 | S 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 64 | 101 | 114 | 64 | 40 | 27 | 25 | 12 | 27 | 18 | 26 | 11 | 37 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | SE 9 | — | — | — | SSE 9 | SSW 7 | SE 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | SE 9 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 8 | 18 | 7 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SE 6 | — | — | — | SE 9 | — | SE 13 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | SSW 5 | S 5 | SE 15 | S 5 | SE 14 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 12 | — | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 6 | S 4 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | SW 4 | NE 3 | NE 4 | — | ENE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 17 | 41 | 83 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 7 | 3 | 12 | — | 31 | 62 | 62 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1664 | 1511 | 3347 | 585 | 118 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 38 | 15 | 10 | 219 | 15 | 155 | 306 | 51 | 668 | 801 | 123 |
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.
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