Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.96° S 25.65° E

Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Fence (Port Elizabeth) sea temperature is
15.2° C
3.9° 

Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 2,895 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. 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 2.3m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (SAST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 17th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Best Surf 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug)7ft (2.1m) 13s
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, grab your wettie and listen up. It’s Rusty here with the full rundown for Fence (Port Elizabeth). This one’s a proper advanced wave, very consistent, and it’s got a fair bit of exposure to the SW. We're looking at a good window of opportunity, but we gotta pick our moments.

The water is a chilly 59° which is a solid 7° colder than normal for this time of year. That is not just a little fresh, that is a proper bite. You’ll want the thickest suit you’ve got and maybe a hood.

The first few days are all about grooming. The swell is in the 4ft to 5ft range with a solid 13-14 second period, and the energy is moderate (635). The 17th sees a clean, glassy morning with a slight SSW wind, and it’s a good warm-up. The 18th afternoon sees the swell build a touch to 5ft from the SSW with clean conditions, and the energy bumps up (836). It’s a decent start, but not the big show.

Now, Wednesday the 19th is where you want to be. We’ve got a clean 6ft of SSW groundswell, period pushing 13 seconds, and the morning is glassy with a slight NW wind. The energy is strong (963). This is some proper Fence wave. The afternoon, however, turns nasty with a 22 mph cross-off shore that will chop it all to bits.

Thursday the 20th is a different beast entirely. The swell jacks up to 10ft from the SSW with a solid 14-second period. The energy is absolutely cranking at (2953). This is for experts only – way too big for anyone still learning. Morning looks clean with a light WSW wind, but even then this is a serious, serious ledge. The afternoon backs off a touch in size but gets a bit of onshore cross-grain.

The following days, from the 21st to the 24th, we see that swell settle back into that clean, fun zone. Waves are in the 5ft to 6ft range, with that long 12-14 second period. Mornings with light offshore or glassy winds are your friend here, especially the 21st and 24th mornings that look prime. Crowds are possible at Fence, and on days like this with quality waves on offer, you can bet it’ll be busy.

The energy drops off a bit for the 25th and the 26th gets blown out by a strong ENE onshore. The 27th is small and weak, so maybe save your energy. Then, out of nowhere, Friday the 28th morning brings a left-field surprise. A solid 7ft SW swell arrives with not a breath of wind – dead glassy. The energy is strong (1650). That’s a magic hour if I’ve ever seen one, but it doesn’t stick around.

The first week of September is where the real power returns. The 31st of August brings a proper pulse: 10ft of S swell with a very long 15-second period. The energy readings are huge (4243 and 4467). It’s a big, raw ocean and definitely expert-only territory. The S direction is slightly off the optimum SW for Fence, which might make it a bit wonky, but the power is undeniable.

After that, the 1st of September gets messy with a strong onshore, so you can chalk that up as a washout.

So here’s the deal. Your standout windows are the morning of the 19th for a solid, clean 6ft day, and the morning of the 28th for that glassy 7ft surprise. The big swells at the end of the month are for the hardcore crew only. It’s not a perfect forecast, but there’s plenty to get excited about.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon).

Mon
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
2
2
3
1
2
2
3
2
3
2
2
1
1
4
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SW
13
1.1
SW
13
0.9
SSW
14
1.5
SSW
13
1.9
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
13
1.3
SSW
12
2.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
13
2
SSW
13
1.7
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.4
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.9
SSW
13
2.1
SSW
13
1.6
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.3
SSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
517
380
332
768
1206
1011
1044
473
2591
2449
1338
838
614
512
595
1206
1408
759
669
491
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
20
W
20
WSW
15
SW
10
NNE
5
NNW
30
SW
35
WSW
25
WSW
15
S
10
NNE
5
WNW
15
SSW
20
W
30
WSW
25
WSW
15
W
5
WNW
10
S
5
W
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross
off
High Tide
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
1:26PM1.30m
1:33AM1.37m
Low Tide
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
7:15AM0.79m
7:37PM0.81m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
16
16
16
16
17
16
16
16
15
15
17
15
15
16
15
17
17
15
Feels °C
13
15
13
12
16
16
14
11
11
13
13
14
15
13
9
9
11
16
15
15
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  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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