Our study shows that wind increases of 4 to 8 m s⁻¹ above warm Agulhas Current eddies are not uncommon. This should be taken seriously when sailing in the “Roaring Forties”. Using microwave remote sensing from satellite is a very useful tool for monitoring such eddies. This could be displayed operationally to provide vessels with early warning and to indicate where there are likely to sustain stronger wind. The result is also relevant for the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio Current.