84°
Partly Sunny
4%
85
Cumberland County, NJ · Delaware Bay
Fortescue
Fortescue Rd & Downe Ave, Newport, NJ 08345
"The Weakfish Capital of the World" — a tiny Cumberland County Bay community with a public swim/wade beach, boat ramps, and a working fishing port. Enrolled as a horseshoe crab sanctuary; beach closed day and night May 7 – Jun 7 during migration.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for fishing.
78°F water · 84°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 84°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 78°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
85 /100
ideal
83 Swim
81 Sunbathe
86 Walk
88 Fish
81 Photo
Best for fishing today
Water level 0.9 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
84°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
10 mph
E
Rain
4%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
82°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
78°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
8:57 PM
7.0 ft · in 5.7h
Water Quality
Clean
3 cfu/100mL · Fecal Coliform
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:44 AM
Sunset
8:27 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:58 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:34 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 2:50 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:57 PM | High | 7.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:58 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:33 AM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 3:50 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:54 PM | High | 7.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:53 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:30 AM | High | 5.5 ft |
| 4:48 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 10:50 PM | High | 7.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:45 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 11:25 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 5:43 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:43 PM | High | 7.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:35 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 12:19 PM | High | 5.7 ft |
| 6:36 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:35 AM | High | 6.8 ft |
| 7:22 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 1:11 PM | High | 5.8 ft |
| 7:29 PM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:26 AM | High | 6.5 ft |
| 8:08 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 2:03 PM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 8:22 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8537121, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
82°
Mostly Sunny
0%
86
86°
Sunny
0%
84
93°
Sunny
2%
75
88°
Sunny
2%
84
86°
Mostly Sunny
8%
84
86°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
23%
44
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 78°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
9:50 PM - 11:50 PM
Minor
2:50 AM - 3:50 AM
Major
10:20 AM - 12:20 PM
Minor
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Free lot at beach end.
Dogs
Leashed dogs permitted outside closure window.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Fortescue Rd & Downe Ave, Newport, NJ 08345
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Fortescue today?
Fortescue shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Fortescue dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs permitted outside closure window.
Is there an entry fee at Fortescue?
Entry to Fortescue is free.
Are there lifeguards at Fortescue?
No lifeguards are stationed at Fortescue. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Fortescue?
Amenities at Fortescue include beach access, boat ramp, charter fishing, fishing pier.
When is the water warmest at Fortescue?
Delaware Bay peaks in July and August at roughly 76-80°F — warmer and calmer than the open Atlantic. Comfortable swimming mid-June through September.
Where is Fortescue located?
Fortescue is in Cumberland County, NJ, at Fortescue Rd & Downe Ave, Newport, NJ 08345.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS