Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next couple of weeks.

We've got a bit of a mixed bag coming up. The water is sitting at 60.3°, which is a whopping 6.1° colder than normal for this time of year, so that's a seriously unusual chill in the water. You'll want a decent steamer.

The first real action kicks off on Saturday the 22nd of August. There's a solid 7.9ft SW groundswell with a 13-second period rolling in, but a howling 25 mph WSW offshore wind is making it a battle to get out. The combined wave energy is strong at 1896, but honestly, it's more of a survival mission than a fun session unless you're a real local who knows the lineup.

Sunday the 23rd looks much cleaner. The morning sees a 5.6ft SSW swell (11 seconds) with a gentle 9 mph W offshore wind and clean conditions. The combined energy is a moderate 663. Afternoon stays clean with a 5.2ft SSW swell and a light 6 mph cross-offshore breeze. This is the kind of day where you can just enjoy a few laps without fighting for your life.

Monday the 24th is small and clean in the morning with a 3.0ft SSW groundswell (13 seconds) and next to no wind. Combined energy is a weaker 424. The afternoon picks up a touch with a 3.3ft SSW groundswell (15 seconds), but the cross-offshore breeze picks up to 12 mph.

Tuesday the 25th is where things start to get interesting. The morning offers a clean 6.2ft SSW swell (14 seconds) with 12 mph cross-offshore winds and moderate combined energy of 1545. But the real highlight is Tuesday afternoon: a 6.6ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, clean conditions under a gentle 9 mph cross-offshore breeze, and a strong combined energy of 3257. This is the first true standout. The long period means better shaped waves with more energy, and the cross-offshore wind will keep them clean. It's a solid size for experienced surfers, but the lineup can get crowded here sometimes, so be prepared for company. This is the best bet for the first week.

Wednesday the 26th is a complete write-off. Strong onshore winds from the east will trash the surf. Thursday the 27th is also poor with strong onshore winds. Friday the 28th morning offers a glimmer of hope with a 5.2ft E swell (10 seconds) and light offshore winds, but the combined energy is moderate at 971 and the swell direction isn't ideal.

The second week brings some serious potential, but it's further out so we're watching it. Saturday the 30th of August has a 9.8ft SW swell (13 seconds) in the afternoon with a strong 28 mph WSW offshore wind, making it another battle for the experienced. Sunday the 31st morning is clean with a 5.9ft SSW swell (13 seconds) and a 19 mph offshore breeze.

Now, the real fireworks are looking at Thursday the 4th of September. The forecast is showing an 11.5ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) with light winds and clean conditions, and the combined energy is a very strong 4944 to 4990. This is the standout of the entire outlook – a big, powerful groundswell with clean conditions. This is for advanced surfers only at that size, and the long period means it will be lining up well, but it might be a handful at the beach break sections. The crowds are possible here, and on a day like this, they'll be inevitable. Friday the 5th of September morning still has a 9.8ft SSW swell (13 seconds) with a moderate offshore breeze and clean conditions. Then on Sunday the 6th of September, we could see a massive 14.8ft SSW groundswell (15 seconds) with a moderate offshore breeze and an extreme combined energy of 8016. That is huge, pure power for the experts only, but it's a long way out so don't bank on it just yet.

So, the best of the best is Tuesday the 25th afternoon for the first week, and keep a very close eye on Thursday the 4th of September for a potential heavy session.

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