Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) in feet and miles per hour.

First off, the water is sitting at 63°F, which is a solid 4°F colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a proper winter chill, so don’t forget the extra rubber.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start this weekend. Saturday morning serves up a 7ft south swell with a 13-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the NE at 3 mph. The combined energy is a beefy 1564, but the conditions are only marginal, so it’s a bit of a grind. Saturday afternoon stays similar, just a little smaller. Sunday is a write-off with onshore wind and poor conditions, so leave the board in the car.

Monday the 13th brings a 7ft east swell at 8 seconds – that short period means the waves will be a bit lumpy and lack power, with cross wind. Not really worth getting excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Tuesday morning the 14th is the first real standout. Glassy conditions, zero wind, and a 5ft ESE swell at 9 seconds. The energy is moderate at 456 and the water is flat. It’s not the biggest swell, but with the wind absolutely dead, Fence will be clean as a whistle. This is a solid window for a more advanced surfer to get some smooth lines.

Wednesday morning the 15th is also a good call: offshore wind from the W at 12 mph, with a 4ft east swell at 9 seconds. Clean conditions, but the swell is a little smaller.

Thursday morning the 16th, though, is the real gem of the first week. You’ve got a 6ft SSW groundswell with a very long 14-second period, offshore wind from the W at 6 mph, and the combined energy is pumping at 1420. The call is excellent surf for experienced surfers. That long period will wrap in nicely at Fence, giving you some proper power and shape. This is the one to circle.

Friday the 17th gets big but messy. An 12ft SSW swell at 13 seconds hits with strong offshore cross-off wind at 25 mph. That’s a lot of energy (4236), but it’s borderline too big for most, and the wind is howling. Only for the experts, and even then, it’s a handful.

The weekend of the 18th and 19th is plagued by cross-on and onshore winds, with east swells mixing in. The size is there, but the quality drops. Not recommended.

We then hit a bit of a lull. Monday the 20th has a small 4ft east swell with fresh offshore wind, but the energy is low. Tuesday the 21st is flat and poor. The wait is worth it, though.

The second week’s standout is Wednesday the 22nd. The morning is glassy – literally S wind at 3 mph, no wind – with a 5ft south swell at a very long 14 seconds. The energy is 1125, and the conditions are “very good.” This is a long-period groundswell that will set up beautifully at a reef or point setup like Fence. Paddling out will be easier with the gaps between sets.

Thursday the 23rd morning keeps the party going with offshore wind from the W at 6 mph, a 5ft SSW groundswell at 15 seconds, and 1051 energy. Clean and powerful.

The end of the window gets a bit wild. Sunday the 26th shows a massive 10ft to 12ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16 to 19-second period, and the energy is off the charts at 6318 to 8717. But the wind is cross-on or onshore, so it’s going to be a beast of a paddle and a messy, dangerous wave. Only for the absolute best, and with a lot of caution.

So, to sum it up: Thursday morning the 16th is the top pick of the whole 16 days – clean, powerful, and perfect for experienced surfers. Runner-up is Wednesday the 22nd for a glassy, long-period groundswell session. The rest is a mix of marginal or poor conditions, with some big but windy swells late in the period.

Stay stoked, and keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

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