Swell Intel

Fortress Surf Forecast, New York

New York

Atlantic Terrace3-4ftDitch Plains3-4ftPark Line4-5ft
Fortress surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
5-6ft
head high
Swell Period
7.85s
Wind
18mph
SSW / Gusts 28mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Wind Swell
6.0ft @ 8sS

Nearest Webcam

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 315-6ft
Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 16-7ft
Poor

Skip the dawn patrol — 6-7ft and poor early on. Wind drops off and the surface cleans up — poor - fair by afternoon.

6am9am12pm3pm
9s S|14-23mph SW
Thu, Apr 23-4ft
Poor - Fair

Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with 16mph NE winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s S|16-19mph NE
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Sat
2ft
Swell building Fri, Apr 3Poor

6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Fortress Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
SSE
Best Wind
NNW
Season
Fall

Fortress is a lesser-known surf spot tucked along the eastern tip of New York near Montauk, facing NNW toward Block Island Sound and exposed to swells wrapping around from the Atlantic. The break picks up energy from northeast and south swells that refract around the point, producing punchy, hollow beach break waves that reward surfers willing to make the trek. Its relative remoteness keeps crowds thin, making it a prized find for New York surfers seeking uncrowded conditions during the fall swell season.

Strong currentsRip currentsCold waterRemote locationShifting sandbars

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Fortress Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Fortress?
The current wave height at Fortress is 5-6ft with a 7.85s swell period. Wind is SSW at 18mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Fortress surf forecast?
Our Fortress forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends.
What is the breaking wave height at Fortress?
The current breaking wave height at Fortress is 5-6ft, produced by a 6ft S wind swell swell at 8s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
When is the best time to surf Fortress?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Fortress is Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 5ft waves, a 8.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.