New York
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Fortress for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Fortress, New York. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on SE swell at 9s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly very poor with 19mph out of the SW.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Midday is the call — 3-4ft waves with 10mph from the WSW and poor - fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 6s with 10mph from the WNW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on S swell at 5s with moderate W wind around 8mph. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 22mph and very poor by then.
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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Fortress is 1-2ft with a 9.05s swell period. Wind is SSW at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Fortress is 1-2ft, produced by a 1ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.9ft SSE secondary swell at 6s, a 0.8ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s. 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Fortress is Thursday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Fortress works best with a SSE swell and NNW winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Fortress. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Fortress is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. 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.
The prime season at Fortress is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Fortress include strong currents, rip currents, cold water, remote location, shifting sandbars. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
