
Surf Forecasts:
Fishermans Reef surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, N swell with 200 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 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fishermans Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. The next two and a bit weeks are a total write-off for Fishermans Reef (reef, beginner, rarely breaks). There’s nothing on offer worth paddling out for.
The whole period from now through to the end of the month is plagued by tiny swell. You’re looking at waves mostly around 0.3 ft to 1 ft – barely a bump. The combined swell energy is in the weak category throughout, hitting just 19 (Monday morning) and topping out at a measly 105 (Thursday morning the 17th) – but that’s a short-period, messy 4 ft north swell with cross-onshore wind and a period of only 5 seconds. That’s not surf, that’s a washing machine. The water temp is 59°, about average for this time of year, but you won’t be needing a wetsuit because you won’t be in the water.
Thursday the 17th is the only day that even registers a pulse, but with a 4 ft north windswell at 5 seconds and cross-onshore wind at 16 mph, it’s choppy, lumpy, and poor. That afternoon it drops to 0.3 ft. After that it’s back to flatness – days and days of nothing. The wind does go offshore or cross-offshore a lot, but with no swell to work with, clean conditions mean nothing.
The only faint glimmer comes right at the tail end: Tuesday afternoon the 29th shows a tiny 1 ft east swell with a 14-second period and offshore wind. That’s a long-period groundswell, but combined energy is still only 79 – weak. It’s a reef break and rarely breaks anyway, so this is a long shot.
Honestly, if you’re looking for paddle surfing, look elsewhere. This setup, with significant wind and poor quality, might interest the kite crowd more than surfers.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 13 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | N 5 | E 13 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 26 | 25 | 14 | 88 | 6 | 46 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:25AM2.88m | 9:38PM2.86m | 10:08AM2.82m | 10:20PM2.76m | 10:50AM2.74m | 11:02PM2.66m | 11:31AM2.63m | 11:44PM2.55m | 12:13PM2.52m | 00:27AM2.44m | 12:58PM2.41m | 1:13AM2.35m | 1:50PM2.33m | 2:03AM2.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:25PM0.56m | 3:50AM0.56m | 4:07PM0.65m | 4:30AM0.63m | 4:50PM0.75m | 5:11AM0.72m | 5:35PM0.86m | 5:53AM0.82m | 6:24PM0.96m | 6:39AM0.93m | 7:17PM1.05m | 7:28AM1.02m | 8:12PM1.11m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 11 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 12 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | NE 8 | N 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 11 | E 11 |
15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 16 | 26 | 25 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 46 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | NE 13 | N 12 | — | N 11 | N 10 | E 13 | E 13 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 12 | E 11 | N 8 | — |
1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | N 13 | — | N 12 | N 12 | NE 11 | — | — | N 11 | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | — | NW 4 | — | — |
3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 2 | — | SSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | NNW 2 | N 5 | N 7 | SW 4 | W 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 |
1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 88 | 262 | 12 | 23 | 31 | 29 | 24 | 12 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 204 | 103 | 217 | 133 | 217 | 217 | 296 | 349 | 110 | 349 | 331 | 46 | 134 | 268 | 246 | 302 | 332 | 349 | 331 | 366 | 302 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










