Surf Forecasts:
Fishermans Reef surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, N swell with 134 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fishermans Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Fishermans Reef in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fishermans Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what we’re working with for this region. I’ll be straight with you – this isn’t a chart full of promise. It’s one of those outlooks where you might be better off waxing the longboard for a flat day paddle… or just taking the dog for a walk.
The only break on the books is Fishermans Reef, a very sheltered reef setup that’s marked as 'rarely breaks'. You’re looking at a long stretch of tiny surf, basically a 16-day window where finding a proper wave is going to be a serious challenge. The near-term is completely flat, and the whole period is dominated by small, weak swell from the NE, which isn’t what this spot wants to see – it's looking for a NE direction to work well, but the waves are just too small.
Water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is about normal for the time of year, so no surprises there.
On Saturday the 22nd you’ve got a tiny 0.3ft of swell with a very long 16-second period pushing in from the N, but it’s crossed up by a W wind. Combined energy is a measly 8, so it’s barely a ripple. The whole first week is a write-off: poor conditions, tiny heights, and no real push. There’s a spike in energy on Saturday the 29th of August when the combined energy hits 134 (moderate) and the swell bumps up to 5ft from the N with a short period of 6 seconds. It’s still labelled 'poor surf conditions' and the wind is a messy cross-on from the NNW, so it’ll be choppy and not very clean for your standard paddle surfer. Honestly, that kind of setup with a cross-on breeze and a short period beach reef is more of a kiter’s playground than a surfer’s dream.
Later on, around the start of September, things clean up a little. You’ll see glassy or offshore winds from the WSW and SW, with clean surfaces, but the swell is stuck at a tiny 1ft to 2ft from the NE, with combined energy between 36 and 86 (still weak). The periods come up to 10-11 seconds towards the end, so there’s a bit of shape, but no height to work with.
Long story short, there’s nothing here that qualifies as a standout. You’d be surfing ankle-snappers at best, and even then, the consistency is a huge question mark because this break rarely breaks. A blank run like this is more normal for the area. We just have to wait for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 16 | NE 14 | E 14 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 6 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 10 | E 11 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | N 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
5 | 8 | 5 | 30 | 33 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 46 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:34PM2.34m | 2:47AM2.31m | 3:40PM2.31m | 3:47AM2.27m | 4:43PM2.34m | 4:48AM2.28m | 5:35PM2.42m | 5:43AM2.34m | 6:20PM2.51m | 6:31AM2.43m | 7:00PM2.61m | 7:16AM2.53m | 7:40PM2.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:50PM1.12m | 9:04AM1.09m | 9:46PM1.15m | 10:01AM1.11m | 10:43PM1.15m | 11:00AM1.08m | 11:37PM1.11m | 11:55AM1.01m | 00:26AM1.03m | 12:43PM0.92m | 1:09AM0.94m | 1:26PM0.82m | 1:51AM0.84m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | NE 11 | E 13 | E 12 | N 6 | N 5 | — | NE 12 | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 |
2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 2 | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | NE 14 | E 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 13 | N 10 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 7 | — | — | N 10 | E 9 |
1 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 16 | — | N 14 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | — | N 12 | — | — | N 13 | E 13 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | — | E 10 | — |
5 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | — | 3 | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 2 | WNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 5 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 33 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 46 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 351 | 353 | 353 | 349 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 86 | 110 | 273 | 39 | 41 | 296 | 110 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Fishermans Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fishermans Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fishermans Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fishermans Reef surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Fishermans Reef) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Fishermans Reef may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Fishermans Reef is 20 km (12 miles) from the city of Northshore. If you plan a holiday in Auckland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Northshore. Northshore has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











