Surf Forecasts:
Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 2,675 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period with SW 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 2.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 12s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The only game in town for the next couple of weeks is Fence (Port Elizabeth). It’s a very consistent, advanced wave that handles the South Westerly swell that’s coming. The water is way colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want the thickest steamer you’ve got—an anomaly of 4.7°F colder is serious.
The pattern kicks off on Sunday the 16th of August. It’s small to start, with chest-high swell at 2.3ft from the SW. Period is a decent 13 seconds, so there’s some push behind it. Wind is light cross-off, keeping things clean. Wave energy is moderate (283), and the conditions are clean, but it’s a slow start.
Monday the 17th sees the swell bump up to 3.6ft in the morning, with a 14-second period, and the energy jumps to moderate (635). By Monday afternoon, we’re seeing 3.9ft from the SW with a 13-second period and energy of 702. Winds stay cross-off and clean. The surf is picking up nicely.
Tuesday the 18th has a bit of a mixed bag. Morning is a bit dicey with some questionable tide conditions, but the afternoon comes alive. Swell hits 4.9ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and energy climbs to a strong 847. Winds are cross-off and clean. This is looking solid for the afternoon session.
Wednesday the 19th is where things get a bit more serious. The morning swell is 5.6ft from the SSW, 13-second period, and energy is now strong at 1083. But the wind is light cross-shore, putting a bit of a ripple on it. The afternoon though… wind cranks up to a fresh 35 km/h from the WSW. That’s going to ruin it. The energy is still there (920), but the wind will make it a mess. Morning is the call if you can handle a slight bump.
Thursday the 20th is the first real standout. Morning session is money. We’ve got 6.9ft of SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the energy is very strong at 1611. Wind is a light 10 km/h from the WSW, so it’s cross-off and clean. This is expert territory, but the conditions will be excellent for those who can handle it.
Friday the 21st is a glassy gem in the morning. The wind is dead calm, the swell is a clean 5.2ft from the SSW with a 12-second period, and the energy is moderate (787). This is a dream session for the advanced surfer.
Saturday the 22nd gets blown out in the afternoon, but the morning has a fresh offshore wind (30 km/h) from the WSW. The swell is only 3.6ft, but with a 11-second period and energy of 274, it’s marginal. The offshore wind makes it clean, but the swell is small and the wind is strong—hard work.
Sunday the 23rd has a bump in swell to 5.9ft in the morning and 7.2ft in the afternoon, both from the SSW. The morning has a 12-second period (987 energy), but fresh cross-off wind. The afternoon has a 14-second period and strong energy (1807) with a moderate cross-off. It’s clean, but the tide might be a factor.
Monday the 24th is a write-off. The morning has 7.2ft from the SSW with a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the ENE and choppy. The afternoon is even worse with onshore wind. Skip it.
Tuesday the 25th is poor. Onshore wind both sessions, small swell.
Wednesday the 26th has a big pulse. Morning sees 8.2ft from the SSW with a 17-second period, and the energy is massive at 4144. But the wind is cross-on from the NE, putting a ripple on it. This is a beast of a swell, but the conditions are marginal. Only for the brave.
Thursday the 27th is another standout. Morning is glassy again with a 5.2ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and energy of 1043. The wind is dead calm. This will be pristine. The afternoon stays clean with light cross-on wind.
Friday the 28th is blown out by fresh cross-off winds. The swell is around 4.9-5.2ft, but the wind is strong. Hard work.
Saturday the 29th has a moderate 6.6ft swell in the morning (14-second period, strong energy at 1583) with moderate cross-off wind. The afternoon drops a little but stays clean. Decent but not amazing.
Sunday the 30th is the second standout. The morning is glassy again—dead calm wind, 5.2ft from the SSW with a 13-second period, energy of 827. Clean, lined up, and perfect for advanced surfers. The afternoon gets a bigger 8.2ft pulse with a 16-second period and massive energy (3422), but the wind is fresh cross-off, so
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 12 | E 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 172 | 184 | 97 | 469 | 517 | 330 | 530 | 779 | 1093 | 1042 | 894 | 739 | 1587 | 2675 | 1581 | 774 | 655 | 423 | 265 | 593 | 838 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 6:02PM1.87m | 6:12AM1.67m | 6:36PM1.75m | 6:44AM1.55m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:39AM0.25m | 00:06AM0.38m | 12:09PM0.35m | 00:38AM0.49m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 23 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | E 8 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 58 | 89 | 97 | 469 | 517 | 330 | 530 | 779 | 1093 | 1042 | 894 | 739 | 1587 | 2675 | 1581 | 774 | 655 | 423 | 265 | 4 | 838 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | — | E 8 |
| kJ | 172 | 184 | 86 | 101 | 185 | 138 | 96 | 68 | 45 | 41 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 16 | 11 | 9 | — | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | SSW 15 | E 11 | — | S 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 53 | 58 | 84 | 65 | — | 127 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 11 | — |
| kJ | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 25 | 18 | 593 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 206 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 206 | 209 | 209 |
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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