The Fort Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mates, Rusty here, breaking it down.

The Fort is looking a bit average to start, but there’s a couple of real gems in the forecast. Water temp is about 59°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

First few days, from Friday the 4th to Tuesday the 8th, are a write-off. Swell is around 3ft to 4ft, but the wind is messy – cross or cross-onshore – and the energy is just moderate (around 500-700). Choppy and lumpy. Not worth a paddle.

Wednesday the 9th morning shows a little promise. The wind goes glassy, and we get a clean 3ft south swell with a 12-second period. Energy is still moderate (438), but with glassy conditions, it’s your first real chance.

The best window starts Thursday the 10th afternoon. The wind drops to glassy, and we get a clean 3ft southwest groundswell with a long 17-second period. Energy is a solid 730. That long period and the reef setup at The Fort will make for nice, well-shaped waves. The best session of the first week.

Friday the 11th morning is the absolute standout. Swell jumps to 6ft from the south-southwest – a bit heavy for beginners, but the wind is glassy and the energy is strong at 924. The period is a shorter 9 seconds, so you’ll get more frequent sets. That morning is the one to circle.

After that, the swell drops off. The 12th and 13th have some small, glassy waves but very little energy (down to 147). The second week is quiet with poor conditions from the 14th to the 17th, just small swell and fresh winds. The 18th morning sees a 7ft swell, but it’s cross-shore and lumpy. The 19th afternoon has a 7ft swell with strong energy (1179), but the wind is cross-shore, so it’s not the clean glass we had earlier.

Bottom line: Thursday the 10th afternoon for the clean, long-period groundswell, and Friday the 11th morning for the biggest, cleanest waves of the whole forecast.

Rusty.

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