Surf Forecasts:
Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SW swell with 6,200 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 1.7m 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 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) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let's break that down in good old feet and miles.
The Fence is your spot. It's a serious wave, no beginner's playground. We've got a good run of swell, but the wind will be calling the shots, so you gotta be smart.
The start is a bit flat. Tuesday the 18th has a tiny 3ft to 5ft swell but the wind is off, and the water is *way colder than normal*. Skip it. Wednesday the 19th is where it gets real. The morning is the first standout. A clean 5-6ft SSW swell (13 seconds) with glassy conditions at Fence. That will be smooth, lined-up, and a dream to surf.
Thursday the 20th afternoon is the next big call. 8ft of clean SSW swell (14 seconds) with light wind. That's some serious, powerful stuff for the experienced guys. The energy in the water is moderate (2361). Friday the 21st is a no-go with onshore wind.
Saturday the 22nd has a strong offshore wind (25 mph in the morning, 31 mph in the afternoon). The swell pushes to 10ft, but that wind will make paddling out a brutal fight. Sunday the 23rd morning is the other absolute stand-out. A solid 10ft SSW swell (13 seconds) with a clean offshore breeze. Combined energy is very strong (2726). This one is for experts only.
The swell eases into the next week, but the 30th of August and 31st of August bring another clean pulse of long-period groundswell (15 seconds) at 4-5ft. The morning of the 1st of September has a glassy 3ft S swell (16 seconds) – clean, but that long period might make it fat at the beach.
The two best calls? Wednesday the 19th of August morning for the glass. And the real big one, for the experienced surfers, is Sunday the 23rd of August morning – 10ft of clean, strong SSW swell. Crowds are possible here, so be ready.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 332 | 915 | 1326 | 1026 | 995 | 543 | 2561 | 2348 | 1236 | 666 | 589 | 431 | 898 | 1724 | 6200 | 2726 | 1995 | 933 | 534 | 431 | 880 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-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 | 12:39PM0.47m | 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 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 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 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 332 | 915 | 1326 | 1026 | 995 | 543 | 2561 | 2348 | 1236 | 666 | 589 | 431 | 43 | 22 | 3018 | 2726 | 1995 | 933 | 534 | 431 | 880 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | S 15 | E 10 |
| kJ | 71 | 68 | 45 | 41 | 26 | 37 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 68 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | E 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 62 | — | — | — | 9 | 183 | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 898 | 1724 | 6200 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 206 | 66 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 206 | 0 | 209 | 661 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 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.
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