
Surf Forecasts:
Mahia Reef surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with 2,400 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mahia Reef over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | SE 9 | S 10 | ESE 9 | S 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SE 15 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
606 | 338 | 343 | 222 | 216 | 135 | 122 | 56 | 73 | 26 | 20 | 48 | 53 | 95 | 186 | 163 | 523 | 1014 | 1412 | 1246 | 1006 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:46AM1.73m | 3:16PM1.84m | 3:46AM1.75m | 4:14PM1.90m | 4:46AM1.78m | 5:14PM1.94m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:14PM1.96m | 6:44AM1.79m | 7:11PM1.96m | 7:42AM1.78m | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:39PM0.30m | 8:58AM0.26m | 9:39PM0.25m | 10:00AM0.22m | 10:38PM0.19m | 11:01AM0.15m | 11:37PM0.13m | 11:59AM0.08m | 00:36AM0.09m | 12:53PM0.04m | 1:34AM0.06m | 1:47PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.06m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | |
5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | 5:06 | |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SE 15 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
606 | 338 | 231 | 178 | 173 | 120 | 122 | 49 | 46 | 26 | 8 | 48 | 53 | 95 | 186 | 163 | 523 | 1014 | 1412 | 1246 | 1006 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | SE 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 | ESE 10 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 16 | S 18 | SE 16 | S 6 | SSE 6 | S 8 | S 9 | SSW 11 |
248 | 334 | 343 | 222 | 216 | 135 | 79 | 47 | 73 | 16 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 24 | 69 | 66 | 48 | 55 | 57 | 76 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 7 | S 7 | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | SSW 13 | E 15 | ESE 10 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 16 | S 19 | S 14 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | SSW 12 | NE 5 | S 25 |
51 | 31 | 43 | 32 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 56 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 4 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 49 | 17 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NW 2 | WNW 2 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 2 | SSW 5 | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | — |
84 | 70 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 17 | 14 | 1 | 1 | — | 8 | 2 | 51 | — | — | 5 | 11 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 88 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











