
Surf Forecasts:
Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, E swell with 2,932 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the long-range outlook for Fence (Port Elizabeth). We've got a mixed bag coming our way, but let's cut through the noise and find the waves.
The forecast period starts with some less-than-ideal conditions on Monday the 14th, but there's a real gem to kick things off properly on Tuesday the 15th. We'll then see a period of challenging weather and swell, before things clean up again towards the end of the following week.
The first standout is Tuesday morning, the 15th. The wind swings offshore from the WSW at a gentle 9 mph, cleaning everything right up. We've got a solid 5 ft east swell running with an 11-second period, giving the waves some real grunt. The energy is moderate at 713, and with that offshore wind, Fence should be offering some nice, clean lines for the advanced crew.
The big one to circle on your calendar is Thursday the 17th. It's glassy in the morning with absolutely zero wind. The swell is a powerful 5 ft from the SSW with a long 14-second period, and the energy is strong (1385). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. That glassy window is the one to nail. The water temp is 65°, which is about average for this time of year.
After that, we hit a rough patch from the 18th through to the 24th. Strong onshore winds and messy, blown-out conditions dominate, with some big but unruly swells. A 13 ft swell on the 19th sounds intimidating, but with 25 mph winds on it, it's a washing machine. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The pattern finally breaks on Sunday the 20th. It's another early morning call with a gentle 9 mph offshore wind from the west. The swell is 8 ft from the ESE with an 11-second period, offering strong energy (1611). It's another one for experienced surfers only, as anything over 8 ft is expert territory, and this is right on the edge.
Looking into the last week of September, the 25th looks promising. Friday morning shows a light 6 mph NW wind, creating clean conditions with a 6 ft east swell. It's a step down in size, but the clean conditions will make it worthwhile. After that, the swell drops right off into small, weak surf with poor winds through to the end of the forecast period.
So, to sum it up: Tuesday the 15th morning for the clean start, and Sunday the 20th morning for the bigger, cleaner swell. But the absolute best of the bunch is Thursday the 17th morning. That glassy session is the one to prioritise.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, calm by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 58mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Fri night, light winds from the W by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1000 | 969 | 628 | 403 | 254 | 2004 | 1303 | 342 | 790 | 757 | 539 | 473 | 821 | 982 | 2438 | 2755 | 2245 | 1381 | 1071 | 850 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:24PM1.89m | 5:36AM1.71m | 5:52PM1.77m | 6:03AM1.59m | 6:19PM1.63m | 6:32AM1.46m | 6:48PM1.47m | 7:08AM1.33m | 7:24PM1.31m | 8:18AM1.19m | 9:05PM1.18m | 11:35AM1.19m | 00:07AM1.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:28PM0.34m | 11:31AM0.36m | 11:55PM0.45m | 11:58AM0.48m | 00:23AM0.58m | 12:27PM0.63m | 00:55AM0.71m | 1:01PM0.79m | 1:39AM0.84m | 2:00PM0.95m | 3:54AM0.94m | 6:26PM0.97m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 19 | 5 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 |
1000 | 969 | 628 | 403 | 254 | 165 | 128 | 168 | 790 | 757 | 539 | 412 | 347 | 472 | 269 | 154 | 2245 | 1381 | 1071 | 410 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 11 | — | E 10 | SSW 13 | ENE 10 | E 10 | — | ENE 10 | — | S 9 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 15 | — |
183 | 121 | 74 | 69 | 145 | — | 164 | 342 | 173 | 72 | — | 108 | — | 14 | — | 50 | 90 | 136 | 434 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | — | — |
— | — | 11 | 48 | 147 | — | — | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 81 | 94 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 4 | — | — | SSW 3 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 8 |
— | 11 | — | — | 4 | 2004 | 1303 | — | 422 | 317 | 251 | 473 | 821 | 982 | 2438 | 2755 | — | — | 54 | 850 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 1 | 0 | 77 | 0 | 209 | 264 | 206 | 0 | 264 | 239 | 666 | 839 | 611 | 374 | 264 | 66 | 0 | 212 | 210 |
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.










