Surf Forecasts:
Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 3,517 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 11s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's on the cards for Fence (Port Elizabeth). The water temp is sitting at 60°, which is a whopping 6° colder than normal for this time of year – that's very unusual, so you'll be wanting a thick wetsuit.
The window opens up on Wednesday the 19th with a solid start. Wednesday morning is looking really good. We’ve got a 6ft SSW groundswell with a 13-second period, and the wind is glassy from the NNW. That’s clean, shapely, and the combined energy is moderate at 1178. It’s a proper session for anyone who’s competent.
The real standout, though, is Thursday the 20th. Thursday morning sees the swell bumping up to 8ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the wind is offshore from the WSW. The wave energy is strong at 3032. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but anything over 8ft is only for the experts. If you’ve got the skills, this is your window.
After that, the quality drops. Friday the 21st has onshore winds and the swell drops, so don't bother. Saturday the 22nd has a strong offshore breeze, but it's blowing 25 mph, making it hard to paddle into. Sunday the 23rd is a bit better with a clean 6ft SSW swell and light cross-off winds – a decent option.
The following week gets a bit patchy. There's a solid 5ft, 16-second period swell Monday afternoon the 24th, but it's cross-shore. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are a write-off with onshore winds. Thursday the 27th morning is a good call with a clean 5ft swell and cross-off winds, but it's short-lived. After that, it’s a mix of building wind and shorter period slop, with a few bigger but messy days around the 28th and 29th. The last week fades out with dropping swell and poor winds.
The best bet is clear: Thursday morning the 20th for the experts. Wednesday morning the 19th is the next best call for clean conditions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Fri morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1152 | 543 | 3078 | 2752 | 1359 | 749 | 669 | 512 | 862 | 1518 | 1651 | 650 | 602 | 700 | 518 | 962 | 1237 | 1313 | 1968 | 1061 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:40PM1.59m | 2:45AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:27AM0.53m | 8:46PM0.56m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | E 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 26 | 543 | 3078 | 2752 | 1359 | 749 | 669 | 512 | 862 | 9 | 233 | 650 | 602 | 700 | 518 | 962 | 1237 | 1313 | 1968 | 1061 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 4 | E 6 | — | SSW 12 | E 8 | SSW 15 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SSW 12 | E 9 | — |
| kJ | 42 | 25 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 6 | — | 19 | 25 | — | 222 | 1 | 45 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 554 | 7 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | S 11 | S 11 | E 10 | S 14 | E 10 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 7 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 7 | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | WSW 4 | SW 13 | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 |
| kJ | 1152 | 140 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 37 | 1518 | 1651 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 66 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 580 | 11 | 246 | 206 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 264 | 206 |
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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