
Surf Forecasts:
Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 19s period, SSW swell with 1,097 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fence (Port Elizabeth) this week:
The surf forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fence (Port Elizabeth) in the next 16 days are 1.3m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM. 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let's talk about Fence (Port Elizabeth). We've got a real mixed bag coming our way over the next couple of weeks, so you gotta pick your moments. It starts out rough, gets a little tasty in the middle, and then we've got a proper, serious swell on the horizon that's gonna shake things up.
The first few days are a complete loss. The wind is screaming from the east, and we’ve got a jumbled mess of windswell. Tuesday and Wednesday are a write-off – there’s plenty of energy (1688 and 1318) but it’s all onshore slop. Not worth the paddle.
Finally, on Saturday the 15th, things calm down. The wind backs off and goes offshore, giving us clean, if smaller, waves. It’s not big, but it’s surfable. Then Monday afternoon the 17th looks like a real treat. Light winds, clean surfaces, and a nice little bump of energy (711) – that’s your window for a few fun ones.
But the real story is Saturday the 22nd. The long-range charts are lighting up with a proper SSW groundswell. We're talking 2.5m at 17 seconds, with an energy reading of 3477. This is a big, powerful, clean groundswell. The wind is forecast to be strong offshore, which will make it look perfect, but this isn't a day for the faint-hearted. This is strictly for the experienced surfers – it’s going to be heavy, and getting out the back is going to be a battle. Sunday the 23rd will still be big (2.4m), but the wind turns onshore and it'll chop up fast.
Also, keep an eye on Wednesday the 26th in the morning. It's looking glassy with clean 1.4m surf. Not the size of the weekend, but a great chance for some quiet, solo waves mid-week.
The water is running much colder than usual for this time of year, over 3 degrees colder than normal. We're looking at 15°, so you'll definitely need a good wetsuit.
So, the plan is simple: sit out the first part of the week, hit the clean windows around the 17th, and for those of you brave enough, the big groundswell on the 22nd is the one to circle on the calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NE by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 14 | E 11 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1041 | 585 | 620 | 533 | 611 | 747 | 707 | 1097 | 638 | 533 | 298 | 617 | 199 | 169 | 237 | 350 | 335 | 282 | 288 | 375 | 407 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 3:00PM1.76m | 3:15AM1.81m | 3:41PM1.89m | 3:55AM1.86m | 4:19PM1.96m | 4:32AM1.87m | 4:55PM1.98m | 5:07AM1.84m | 5:29PM1.95m | 5:40AM1.77m | 6:02PM1.87m | 6:12AM1.67m | 6:36PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:49AM0.35m | 9:11PM0.36m | 9:28AM0.24m | 9:51PM0.27m | 10:03AM0.18m | 10:27PM0.23m | 10:37AM0.16m | 11:02PM0.23m | 11:09AM0.18m | 11:35PM0.29m | 11:39AM0.25m | 00:06AM0.38m | 12:09PM0.35m | 00:38AM0.49m | |||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 13 | E 10 |
1041 | 585 | 246 | 202 | 432 | 547 | 707 | 1097 | 499 | 339 | 298 | 347 | 199 | 169 | 237 | 350 | 335 | 282 | 277 | 336 | 125 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 5 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | — | SSW 14 |
352 | 232 | 19 | 363 | 147 | 31 | 446 | 7 | 2 | 273 | 259 | 188 | 168 | 161 | 23 | 54 | 97 | 136 | 288 | — | 131 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 24 | — | S 11 | SW 11 | S 9 | — | S 11 | S 9 | S 10 | — | WSW 5 | SW 4 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | WSW 12 | SW 7 | SW 6 | — | E 5 |
— | — | 58 | — | 57 | 31 | 16 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 10 | 3 | 142 | 70 | 14 | 2 | 8 | — | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 8 | WSW 5 | — | ENE 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 5 | — | E 11 | SW 12 |
295 | 501 | 620 | 533 | 611 | 747 | 513 | 487 | 638 | 533 | — | 617 | 21 | — | 42 | 1 | 13 | 9 | — | 375 | 407 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 264 | 628 | 264 | 264 | 264 | 206 | 246 | 239 | 206 | 11 | 16 | 8 | 0 | 142 | 11 | 106 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fence (Port Elizabeth) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fence (Port Elizabeth) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fence (Port Elizabeth) 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 (Fence (Port Elizabeth)) 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 Fence (Port Elizabeth) 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.
The Fence is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of Port Elizabeth. If you plan a holiday in Eastern Cape (South), look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











