
Surf Forecasts:
Fortress surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, E swell with 57 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with SSE 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 (Sep 13) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 0.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fortress over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a long, hard look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – this is one of those outlooks where you might wanna take up golf for a while. The surf window is basically closed, and it stays that way for a long stretch.
Starting now and running almost the entire 16-day period, we're looking at a massive gap. From right now until the 22nd of September, there's just nothing doing. We're talking day after day of tiny, weak, messy swell. The combined energy barely breaks into double digits most days, sitting between 20 and 77 for over a week straight. The wind is a mess, mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the swell heights are a paltry 0.7 ft to 3 ft. On the 18th and 19th there's a whisper of a longer period (12 seconds) but the height is only 0.7 ft and the energy is weak (40 and 32), so it's not even a blip on the radar. There's a solid 9-day stretch where the commentary just says "poor surf conditions" every single time. It's a dead zone.
Then, around the 23rd of September, things finally get interesting, but with a massive caveat. On Wednesday the 23rd, the swell starts to build. By Wednesday afternoon, Fortress (a reef break that needs a SE swell) is looking at 7 ft of swell from the SE, with the combined energy hitting 440 – that's a serious jump in power. The wind is a cross-offshore, so the surface should be clean. However, that size puts it squarely in expert-only territory. At over 8 ft, it's not a place for the faint of heart, and on a reef, the consequences are real. The wave comment only calls it "marginal," so it's promising but not a green light.
The 26th of September, a Saturday, offers something a little more manageable. The morning sees a 3 ft swell from the ENE with an offshore NW wind, moderate and clean. The afternoon holds a 3 ft swell from the E with an offshore WNW breeze. The combined energy is weaker, around 81 to 98, so it's not a powerhouse, but the clean conditions and surfable size make it the pick of the very slim litter for the average surfer. It's still not world-class, but after two weeks of flatness, it'll feel like a gift.
Overall, the only time you'll see a board out is very late in the period. The 23rd is for the brave and skilled only, and the 26th is the best bet for everyone else, but with modest expectations. Don't get your hopes up for anything before that.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNE by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu night, min 15°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 10 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 9 | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 24 | 37 | 31 | 24 | 49 | 25 | 19 | 45 | 34 | 13 | 10 | 42 | 46 | 26 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 39 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:28PM0.91m | 9:53AM1.02m | 10:02PM0.85m | 10:31AM0.98m | 10:34PM0.79m | 11:08AM0.92m | 11:06PM0.73m | 11:46AM0.85m | 11:40PM0.67m | 12:26PM0.79m | 00:22AM0.62m | 1:16PM0.74m | 1:14AM0.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:01PM-0.04m | 3:07AM-0.03m | 3:41PM0.01m | 3:38AM0.01m | 4:20PM0.06m | 4:11AM0.06m | 4:59PM0.13m | 4:46AM0.11m | 5:42PM0.20m | 5:24AM0.17m | 6:31PM0.27m | 6:08AM0.23m | 7:37PM0.31m | |||||||
— | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | 19 | 9 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 |
5 | 24 | 33 | 31 | 24 | 49 | 25 | 19 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 42 | 46 | 26 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSW 5 | — | SSW 5 | SE 9 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 6 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 9 | ESE 8 |
14 | 2 | — | 15 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | S 9 | — | SE 9 | S 10 | — | — | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — | ESE 9 | SE 12 | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | — |
1 | 2 | — | 31 | 2 | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 8 | 6 | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 3 | SSE 5 | NW 3 | S 6 | N 3 | NW 3 | NE 4 | E 5 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | S 2 | SW 3 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 5 |
— | 3 | 37 | 2 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 45 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 12 | 39 | 25 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1163 | 273 | 185 | 10 | 55 | 129 | 20 | 273 | 123 | 1065 | 191 | 193 | 344 | 193 | 377 | 1199 | 187 | 273 | 107 | 83 |
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.










