Mahia Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.09° S 177.87° E

Mahia Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Mahia Reef sea temperature is
12.2° C
1.6° 

Mahia Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Mahia Reef surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 8,606 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mahia Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Mahia Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mahia Reef in the next 16 days are 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 20th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 8s
Best Surf12PM (Fri 21st Aug)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 19th Aug)18ft (5.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mahia Reef over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
S
9
2.4
SSW
8
4.5
S
10
5.5
S
12
5
S
11
4
S
11
2.5
S
14
2.3
S
13
2.1
S
8
1.6
S
8
1.7
S
16
1.6
S
15
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
10
0.5
S
10
1
NW
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1507
644
3414
8216
5881
4083
2606
1890
601
356
1474
1195
563
339
209
149
73
48
35
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
45
SW
55
SW
60
SSW
45
S
35
SSW
25
WSW
25
SW
20
SSW
5
NNW
10
NW
10
ENE
15
NW
20
WNW
10
NW
25
NW
25
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-off
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
High Tide
9:21PM1.76m
9:46AM1.75m
10:10PM1.71m
10:33AM1.72m
10:59PM1.67m
11:22AM1.67m
11:48PM1.62m
12:14PM1.62m
00:35AM1.57m
1:06PM1.58m
1:22AM1.51m
1:56PM1.54m
2:10AM1.45m
Low Tide
3:39AM0.22m
4:01PM0.28m
4:27AM0.30m
4:51PM0.34m
5:15AM0.36m
5:41PM0.40m
6:03AM0.41m
6:30PM0.44m
6:49AM0.45m
7:20PM0.47m
7:35AM0.46m
8:10PM0.48m
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:46
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
 mm
3
1
1
5
2
Temp °C
9
10
9
9
9
9
10
10
11
10
12
13
11
15
17
14
16
17
15
Feels °C
-1
-1
-3
-3
-1
1
3
5
7
9
11
10
6
12
14
8
10
12
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Mahia Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Mahia Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Mahia Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Mahia 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 (Mahia 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 Mahia 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.

Mahia Reef is 49 km (30 miles) from the city of Gisborne. If you plan a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Gisborne. Gisborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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