New York
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.
Sun, May 10: 4–5ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 4-5ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 11mph from the S.
Mon, May 11: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair - Good. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 8s with 7mph from the NNW. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 7s and moderate NNW wind around 9mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor conditions with 15mph out of the SSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 20mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with 20mph out of the S.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
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 4-5ft with a 8.2s swell period. Wind is S at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Fortress is 4-5ft, produced by a 3.7ft SSE primary swell at 8s, a 1.4ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 7.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
