
Surf Forecasts:
Fence (Port Elizabeth) surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 19s period, SSW swell with 939 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. 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 1.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (SAST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your wettie, let's talk about the Fence (Port Elizabeth).
For the first week, it’s a tough go. The water is sitting at 60°F, which is a staggering 7°F colder than average for this time of year – that’s a serious chill.
Nothing worth paddling for until Saturday the 15th of August. Friday the 14th is junk with easterly winds. Saturday morning shows a light offshore breeze from the WSW cleaning up a 4ft east swell with a 9-second period. The wave energy is weak (390), but it’ll be clean, which is a solid improvement.
Sunday the 16th morning is borderline. Swell drops to 3ft from the east, but the period stretches to 11 seconds, giving it a bit more push. Wind is cross-offshore from the WSW, so it’ll be rideable.
Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are mostly messy, but Tuesday morning the 18th has a proper offshore wind from the WSW at 19 mph. The swell is only 3ft from the SW, but the surface will be glassy and clean.
The real standout, and the one to save the trip for, is Thursday the 20th through Friday the 21st of August. Thursday morning brings 4ft of clean SW groundswell with a long 13-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze. Thursday afternoon gets even better: a 6ft east swell with a short 6-second period, but with a clean offshore wind from the west.
Friday the 21st morning is the absolute pick of the forecast. We’re looking at 6ft of east swell with a 10-second period, with a glassy offshore wind from the WSW at just 6 mph. The break is very consistent and fairly exposed, so it should handle that east swell really well. Just know that crowds are a possibility.
After that, things get windy again, but Saturday the 22nd morning offers a last clean window with a fresh offshore wind and a 4ft SSW groundswell at a long 14 seconds.
So, a slow start, but a few clean sessions, and Friday the 21st morning is the one to paddle out for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri night, calm by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 22 | E 7 | E 8 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | E 8 | E 8 | SSW 15 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | E 9 | E 11 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
585 | 679 | 807 | 688 | 766 | 707 | 939 | 655 | 593 | 305 | 364 | 209 | 175 | 146 | 223 | 152 | 237 | 293 | 336 | 166 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:00PM1.76m | 3:15AM1.81m | 3:41PM1.89m | 3:55AM1.86m | 4:19PM1.96m | 4:32AM1.87m | 4:55PM1.98m | 5:07AM1.84m | 5:29PM1.95m | 5:40AM1.77m | 6:02PM1.87m | 6:12AM1.67m | 6:36PM1.75m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:11PM0.36m | 9:28AM0.24m | 9:51PM0.27m | 10:03AM0.18m | 10:27PM0.23m | 10:37AM0.16m | 11:02PM0.23m | 11:09AM0.18m | 11:35PM0.29m | 11:39AM0.25m | 00:06AM0.38m | 12:09PM0.35m | 00:38AM0.49m | |||||||
— | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | SW 13 | E 10 |
585 | 298 | 202 | 432 | 547 | 707 | 939 | 499 | 347 | 305 | 364 | 209 | 175 | 146 | 223 | 152 | 237 | 229 | 336 | 165 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | S 10 | SSW 22 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | E 5 | SW 12 | E 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | E 11 | SW 12 |
238 | 19 | 363 | 147 | 31 | 446 | 7 | 2 | 273 | 259 | 186 | 168 | 163 | 16 | 54 | 98 | 100 | 293 | 220 | 114 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 24 | SSW 22 | S 11 | SW 11 | S 9 | — | S 11 | S 9 | S 10 | — | SW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | WSW 12 | SW 5 | — | SSW 14 |
— | 58 | 807 | 57 | 31 | 16 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 13 | 5 | 120 | 70 | 84 | 14 | 6 | — | 166 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | WSW 5 | — | ENE 5 | NNW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | — | — | E 3 |
494 | 679 | 486 | 688 | 766 | 526 | 585 | 655 | 593 | — | — | 33 | — | 42 | 2 | 6 | 10 | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 628 | 264 | 264 | 264 | 206 | 246 | 264 | 37 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 246 | 11 | 1 | 66 | 0 | 142 | 206 | 66 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Eastern Cape (South) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











