Surf Forecasts:
Fishermans Reef surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, NNE swell with 143 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 1.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fishermans Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be real about what we’ve got on the table for the next couple of weeks. It’s a quiet stretch, no doubt about it. We’re looking at a long run of tiny, weak swell with barely any energy to speak of. The good news is the wind is often in a decent spot, so when the odd little bump rolls through, it’ll be clean. But we’re not talking about any kind of proper surf session for most of this period.
The first real chance to get wet at Fishermans Reef is from Wednesday, August 26th. Even then, it’s a total struggle. The swell is anemic at 0.3ft from the NE, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 11 and dropping. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Wednesday morning has a light cross-offshore breeze, so it’ll be clean, but with waves that small, you’re just floating. Wednesday afternoon the wind picks up to a moderate breeze, still cross-off, but there’s nothing to ride.
Thursday, August 27th, stays the same story. Morning is glassy calm with a 3 mph breeze, but it’s still 0.3ft. The wind swings onshore from the NE in the afternoon, making it even worse. Friday, August 28th, we see a tiny bump to 4ft, but it’s a short-period, messy windswell from the N at only 5 seconds. The energy ticks up to 59, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy – not worth paddling out for. Saturday morning, August 29th, is similar with 3ft and light cross-onshore rain. The afternoon brings a sudden shift to a moderate offshore breeze from the SSW, cleaning things up, but the swell is tiny and weak at 3ft from the NNE.
Sunday, August 30th, offers the best of a bad lot. We get a moderate offshore wind from the WSW in the morning, holding the 3ft NNE swell up with a slightly better 8-second period. The energy is 77. It’s clean, but it’s still a knee-high dribble. The afternoon has a stronger cross-offshore breeze but it’s blowing 19 mph, which will make it choppy.
From Monday, August 31st, through to the end of the first week, the swell drops back to 2ft with periods around 9-10 seconds. The wind is offshore most of the time, so conditions will be clean, but the energy is in the 60s. It’s a lake, not a surf break. The water is still a bit colder than average.
The second week is more of the same, with nothing to get excited about. From Wednesday, September 2nd, the swell drops to 1ft and energy plummets to the 20s. The wind stays cross-offshore or offshore, but the waves are non-existent. Blustery conditions on September 6th and 7th kick up a little 2ft to 3ft windswell from the N with a shocking 4-7 second period, but the energy is still low and the wind is strong. The last few days, September 9th and 10th, see the swell shrink back to 0.7ft and 1ft.
Honestly, the standout session here, if you can call it that, is the Sunday, August 30th morning. The offshore wind will make that 3ft swell look as good as it possibly can, but it’s still a beginner-level wave at best. For anyone with a bigger board, it’s a flat day. This break rarely breaks, and it’s living up to its name. There’s a long gap of nothing to ride before and after that.
It’s a tough run. When there’s no swell, it’s normal for this area. Forecasts can change, but for now, I’d leave the board in the car.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 9 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 42 | 64 | 98 | 121 | 125 | 138 | 100 | 65 | 77 | 50 | 43 | 47 | 64 | 60 | 30 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:20PM2.51m | 6:31AM2.43m | 7:00PM2.61m | 7:16AM2.53m | 7:40PM2.69m | 7:58AM2.62m | 8:20PM2.76m | 8:40AM2.69m | 9:01PM2.80m | 9:22AM2.74m | 9:43PM2.81m | 10:05AM2.75m | 10:26PM2.79m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:26AM1.03m | 12:43PM0.92m | 1:09AM0.94m | 1:26PM0.82m | 1:51AM0.84m | 2:07PM0.74m | 2:32AM0.75m | 2:46PM0.68m | 3:12AM0.68m | 3:26PM0.66m | 3:54AM0.64m | 4:07PM0.68m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 15 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 11 | NE 9 | E 15 | — | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | — | 125 | 138 | 100 | 65 | 77 | 50 | 43 | 47 | 64 | 60 | 30 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | E 12 | — | E 12 | NE 7 | — | N 11 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | NW 6 | N 6 | N 11 | — | — | — | — |
2 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | — | E 12 | — | — | — | N 11 | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 2 | WNW 2 | — | — | N 3 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | NNE 7 | — | WSW 3 | SW 4 | W 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 |
1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 42 | 64 | 98 | 121 | — | 8 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 351 | 296 | 110 | 39 | 39 | 296 | 41 | 5 | 39 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 28 | 5 | 46 | 46 |
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.











