Surf Forecasts:
Fishermans Reef surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, E swell with 318 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 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fishermans Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for our patch of coast over the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, I’ve gotta be honest with you – it’s gonna be a quiet stretch. Fishermans Reef is bottoming out. We’re looking at a long, drawn-out run of tiny swell and mostly crossed-up, mediocre conditions. It’s the kind of period where you might be better off waxing the longboard and just enjoying a paddle, ‘cause the surf is going to be real hard to come by.
Right now, and for the next several days, there’s just nothing doing. The combined swell energy is weak, and we’re talking tiny waves with periods that don’t inspire much hope. Monday morning the 17th is a prime example of the struggle: 4ft of easterly swell with a 9-second period, but with a cross-off south wind. The combined energy is moderate at 251, but the wave comment doesn’t lie – poor surf conditions. The water temp is sitting at 57° with a anomaly of -0.7°, so that’s pretty average for this time of year.
This flat spell is going to drag on for a long time. From Monday morning through to about Sunday the 24th, there’s barely a ripple. We get a few tiny pulses, but we’re talking waves below chest-high with periods all over the shop. Tuesday the 19th, Wednesday the 20th, the whole deal – it’s just no good. The one sliver of hope might be the glassy conditions on Monday the 24th morning and afternoon. For a moment, the wind goes dead calm, but the swell is a pathetic 0.3ft. You’d be scraping barnacles.
The only time things start to look slightly less grim is around Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st. We see a bump in energy – combined energy of all swells hits 76 on the morning of the 30th (Sunday) and 87 on the morning of the 31st (Monday). That would be 2ft of north-northeast swell with a period around 10-11 seconds. That’s still small, tiny even, but with the offshore and cross-off winds forecast, it might just be ridable for a log. Still, it’s not a standout by any stretch.
The first spot I’d mention, if you’re desperate, is Fishermans Reef itself. It’s a very sheltered reef break that rarely breaks, so these tiny pulses don’t exactly do it any favours. It’s a beginner spot, but honestly, this is for the diehards only. For the days around the 30th and 31st, if you see that 2ft east/northeast swell and a south-west offshore breeze on Sunday afternoon (the 30th), you might get a clean little wave. The crowds here are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it’ll be mellow.
Don’t get your hopes up for the rest of the run. We’re looking at a near-total blank for the first week and a half. On Monday the 1st of September, things look glassy and clean, but again, it’s 2ft and weak energy of 45. It’s just one of those quiet spells for this spot.
All in all, not much to get excited about. It’s a bummer, but the forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it. For now, go do something else.
Stay wet,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 7 | E 9 | E 6 | E 8 | E 11 | E 12 | N 16 | NE 14 | N 14 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
251 | 219 | 90 | 62 | 40 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:38AM2.85m | 10:54PM2.87m | 11:23AM2.77m | 11:37PM2.76m | 12:07PM2.67m | 00:21AM2.63m | 12:51PM2.55m | 1:06AM2.51m | 1:39PM2.43m | 1:54AM2.39m | 2:34PM2.34m | 2:47AM2.31m | 3:40PM2.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:36PM0.58m | 5:06AM0.60m | 5:22PM0.71m | 5:50AM0.69m | 6:10PM0.84m | 6:34AM0.80m | 7:01PM0.96m | 7:21AM0.92m | 7:55PM1.05m | 8:11AM1.02m | 8:50PM1.12m | 9:04AM1.09m | 9:46PM1.15m | ||||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SSE 3 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 11 | E 12 | E 12 | N 4 | E 12 | E 13 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 |
251 | 219 | 90 | 62 | 40 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | E 10 | SE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 6 | N 12 | — | NE 14 | NE 11 | NE 13 | E 12 | E 12 |
— | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | 8 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 10 | NE 10 | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | — | E 10 | — | — | N 16 | E 13 | N 14 | — | NE 10 | NE 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 3 | S 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | NW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NW 4 | W 4 | W 3 |
54 | 7 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 13 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 66 | 29 | 28 | 5 | 46 | 179 | 75 | 76 | 39 | 39 | 45 | 39 | 91 | 155 | 91 | 351 | 351 | 353 | 353 | 353 | 194 |
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.











