Surf Forecasts:
Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,993 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fence (Port Elizabeth) in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there are a couple of real gems in there if you’re keen and can pick your moments.
We’ve got a solid run of swell starting immediately, but the first few days are a bit touch-and-go. Tuesday afternoon kicks off with 5ft SSE swell at 13 seconds, but the wind’s a cross-off from the SW at 20 km/h. The water’s sitting at 60°, which is a bloody 6° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s proper unusual, so layer up. The combined energy is moderate at 983, but the conditions are only marginal, so it’s not the best to start.
Now, Wednesday morning the 19th is where you want to be. The wind goes glassy from the west at just 5 km/h, and we’ve got 6ft of clean SSW groundswell at 13 seconds, with combined energy jumping to 1178. That’s a proper window of clean, lined-up waves. The afternoon gets wrecked by a strong 35 km/h cross-off, so make the morning session count.
Thursday the 20th is the standout of the whole outlook. Morning brings 10ft of SSW swell at 14 seconds – that’s a lot of power, with energy hitting 3006. Wind is light offshore from the WSW at 15 km/h, so it’ll be smooth and hollow. This is strictly for experienced surfers only; anything over 8ft is expert territory. The afternoon drops to 8ft but still excellent with cross-off wind. This is your best bet.
Friday the 21st goes onshore and drops off fast – 5ft with E wind at 15 km/h and poor conditions. The weekend gets messy too. Saturday has strong offshore winds at 45 km/h, making it hard to paddle into, and Sunday morning the 23rd bounces back with 8ft SSW swell at 12 seconds and moderate offshore wind – another one for the experienced crew, with energy at 1575.
From Monday the 24th through to the end of the month, there’s a real lull. Lots of marginal or poor days. Swell drops under 5ft, winds swing onshore or cross, and the combined energy stays weak to moderate. The water warms up a touch but nothing special. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.
Then, on Monday the 31st of August, we get a surprise – a morning session with 7ft of E swell at 9 seconds and glassy conditions. Energy is strong at 1625, and the wind is dead calm. That’s going to be clean and punchy, but short-period so better suited to a point or reef setup. Still, a real highlight after a quiet week.
The first week of September looks small and average, with 4ft SSW swell and cross-off winds but nothing worth getting excited about. The energy is weak, and the scores are low.
So, to sum it up: Thursday the 20th of August is the absolute standout – big, clean, offshore, and powerful. Wednesday morning the 19th and Sunday the 23rd are solid secondaries. And that Monday the 31st glass-off is a nice late surprise.
Stay warm – that water is freakin’ cold.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
915 | 1326 | 1137 | 1152 | 473 | 2993 | 2383 | 1236 | 749 | 548 | 438 | 1073 | 625 | 2349 | 1574 | 1266 | 715 | 189 | 346 | 787 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:09PM1.62m | 7:17AM1.41m | 7:47PM1.47m | 8:00AM1.28m | 8:40PM1.33m | 9:23AM1.17m | 10:26PM1.24m | 12:01PM1.17m | 00:29AM1.27m | 1:26PM1.30m | 1:33AM1.37m | 2:08PM1.45m | 2:13AM1.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.62m | 1:11PM0.61m | 1:49AM0.75m | 1:50PM0.76m | 2:50AM0.87m | 3:01PM0.91m | 5:32AM0.90m | 6:18PM0.93m | 7:15AM0.79m | 7:37PM0.81m | 7:57AM0.66m | 8:16PM0.69m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | E 7 | ENE 8 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
915 | 1326 | 1137 | 26 | 473 | 2993 | 2383 | 1236 | 749 | 548 | 438 | 26 | 20 | 1054 | 1574 | 1266 | 715 | 187 | 346 | 787 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 5 | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSW 14 | S 14 | E 10 |
68 | 45 | 41 | — | 25 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | — | 15 | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 189 | 264 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | WSW 12 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 114 | 14 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 13 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | SW 11 | SW 8 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 |
— | — | — | 1152 | 218 | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | 1073 | 625 | 2349 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 8 | 0 | 206 | 66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 249 | 0 | 209 | 246 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











