Mahia Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.09° S 177.87° E

Mahia Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Mahia Reef sea temperature is
12.8° C
1.4° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 14s period, S swell with 17,197 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mahia Reef in the next 16 days are 6.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 21st Jul)8ft (2.5m) 18s
Best Surf12AM (Tue 21st Jul)8ft (2.5m) 18s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 27th Jul)21ft (6.5m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
2
3
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
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)
1.8
S
15
2.3
S
19
2.5
S
18
2.3
S
16
2
S
15
1.6
S
13
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
1.1
S
13
0.8
S
12
0.5
S
12
0.4
SSW
10
0.4
S
10
0.4
S
9
0.3
E
10
1.7
SW
7
1
SSW
7
0.6
SE
16
1.7
SSW
7
1.5
S
16
5.5
S
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1415
3752
4586
2609
1699
905
501
342
389
177
72
34
30
26
18
268
111
159
294
1206
12526
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
20
SSW
15
S
15
WSW
5
S
10
NNW
5
W
5
ESE
5
WNW
10
N
15
NE
10
NNW
20
NNW
20
N
25
NW
40
WSW
20
W
35
W
40
W
35
W
45
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:17AM1.72m
10:42PM1.74m
11:07AM1.68m
11:33PM1.68m
11:59AM1.65m
00:24AM1.62m
12:54PM1.62m
1:14AM1.58m
1:46PM1.61m
2:03AM1.55m
2:36PM1.59m
2:51AM1.51m
3:22PM1.58m
Low Tide
4:30PM0.21m
5:02AM0.20m
5:23PM0.29m
5:51AM0.28m
6:15PM0.36m
6:39AM0.36m
7:08PM0.42m
7:27AM0.42m
8:00PM0.47m
8:15AM0.47m
8:50PM0.50m
9:04AM0.48m
9:37PM0.50m
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
11
11
11
10
10
9
10
10
9
11
13
12
14
15
13
11
12
13
11
12
9
Feels °C
7
6
7
7
8
6
8
8
7
7
9
8
9
10
10
3
6
7
2
4
-2
  • 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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