Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s get into it.

We’ve only got one spot on the radar for this 16-day run: The Fence (Port Elizabeth). It’s an advanced, very consistent setup, so this is no learner’s wave. The water temperature is sitting at 59°, which is a massive 8° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s seriously unusual, so you’re going to need a thick suit and booties, no question.

The period kicks off with almost nothing. Saturday the 15th has a weak 3ft E swell with a short, scrappy 8-second period and weak energy (267), but the morning is glassy and clean. It’s surfable but tiny. By afternoon, it drops off into poor conditions with a 2ft SSW swell – not worth changing plans for.

Sunday the 16th stays small. A 2ft SW swell crosses off under NNW winds, but the combined energy is still weak (305). It’s clean but gutless. Monday the 17th sees a solid jump: 4ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, energy climbing into moderate territory (703), and clean cross-off wind. This is the first proper highlight – a long-period groundswell with decent shape and punch. Expect good, grunty rights and lefts.

Wednesday the 19th morning is the real standout of the first week. Glassy conditions, 6ft SSW swell at 13 seconds, and energy cranking up to 949 (moderate). This will be deep, clean, and powerful for the Fence. The wave comment says very good, and I trust that. Thursday the 20th continues the run with a 5ft SSW swell in the morning, still clean, energy at 838. Solid.

Then we hit a lull. Friday the 21st fades to 4ft with onshore cross-winds and marginal conditions. Saturday the 22nd brings a big shift – 10ft SW swell, energy surging to 2709 (strong). This is expert-only territory. It’s clean in the morning, but that size at the Fence will be wild. Good for the brave. By Sunday the 23rd, it goes too big: 18ft SW swell at 15 seconds, energy at 23336 (extremely strong) – the profile says it’s predicted to be too big for this break. A true washout, even for experts.

Monday the 24th still has 10ft of S swell but with onshore winds pushing it rough. The second week tails off into a mix of marginal and poor conditions until the very end. There’s a glimmer on Saturday the 29th morning: 8ft SSE swell, glassy, energy strong (1168). That’s a final shout for the big-wave crew. After that, the last two days drop to tiny and windy.

Overall, the standouts are the mornings of Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th for the best balance of size, period, and glassy conditions. The Fence will be working, but get on it early before the wind shifts. Don't sleep on Monday the 17th either – that 14-second groundswell will reel in nicely. Everything after the 23rd is either colossal or cruddy.

Rusty.

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