
Surf Forecasts:
Takapuna-North Reef surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, NNE swell with 142 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Takapuna-North Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Takapuna-North Reef in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Takapuna-North Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve stared at the charts for your neck of the woods and I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. For the next 16 days, we just aren’t seeing the goods. There’s no real surf on offer here, so it’s a proper blank run for the area.
Starts off on Sunday the 13th of September, and honestly, we’re looking at swell height of only 0.3 ft with a combined energy of just 3. That’s as weak as it gets. That tiny little pulse from the N is carrying a long 13-second period, but it’s not enough to even pop your board on. Winds are a cross-off from the SW at 12 mph, so the water will be clean, but there’s nothing to ride.
That pattern just keeps on going. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – all 0.3 ft. The swell energy stays below 11 for days. The direction stays from the NE or N, with a period between 12 and 13 seconds, but it’s all just a whisper. The only change is the wind, which swings offshore from the W and WSW around Wednesday and Thursday, but again, no height to work with. You could have glass all day and it wouldn’t matter.
We get a slight spike on Thursday the 17th of September with the swell bumping to 2 ft and the energy hitting 17, but the direction is N, and the period has dropped to a junk 4 seconds. That’s not a swell you want to be in – it’s just wind chop. By Friday the 18th, that same N wind swell gets up to 2 ft in the morning with energy of 51, but the wind turns onshore from the N at 12 mph, so it’s going to be messy. This is a beach-and-reef setup, and with that short period and onshore wind, honestly, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The rest of the period is a complete write-off. After that little blip, Saturday the 19th sees the swell drop back to 1 ft and energy down to 21. Then from Sunday the 20th onward, we’re back to 0.7 ft or 0.3 ft, with the combined energy barely registering. There are even days on the 24th and 25th of September where the swell height is a dash – nothing at all. On the 25th there’s a little 1.0 ft from the S with a period of 3 seconds, but that’s just a ripple. The winds stay offshore and clean for much of the second week, but again, with no swell, you’re just paddling around.
The only break in the mix is Takapuna-North Reef, a beginner-friendly spot that’s sheltered and inconsistent as a rule. It doesn’t break often, so a run of flat days like this isn’t unusual here. If you are desperate, the absolute best of a bad bunch is Friday the 18th of September morning, when the swell hits 2 ft (combined energy of 51) from the NNE with a short 7-second period. It’s still poor conditions, but it’s the only time the numbers get even close to interesting. Expect the wind from the N at 12 mph, making it a cross-shore mess. Not one for the highlight reel.
Hang in there. The forecasts can change, and this spot tends not to stay poor for long. But for now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Wed night, fresh winds from the NNE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 13 | N 13 | N 14 | N 14 | NE 12 | N 13 | N 13 | NE 12 | NE 13 | N 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 4 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 80 | 48 | 42 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:18AM3.00m | 8:33PM3.04m | 9:03AM2.98m | 9:16PM2.96m | 9:46AM2.92m | 9:58PM2.86m | 10:28AM2.83m | 10:40PM2.74m | 11:09AM2.72m | 11:22PM2.62m | 11:51AM2.59m | 00:05AM2.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:17AM0.42m | 2:34PM0.41m | 2:59AM0.42m | 3:15PM0.46m | 3:40AM0.46m | 3:57PM0.55m | 4:20AM0.53m | 4:40PM0.66m | 5:01AM0.63m | 5:25PM0.78m | 5:43AM0.74m | 6:14PM0.89m | |||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | N 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 13 | N 11 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | — | — | NNE 7 | N 11 | N 7 |
7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | — | 48 | 2 | 28 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 14 | N 14 | — | N 13 | N 13 | — | N 12 | N 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — | — |
— | — | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 2 | SW 2 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 6 | — | NNE 7 | — |
7 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 80 | — | 42 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 59 | 59 | 116 | 121 | 215 | 116 | 35 | 35 | 116 | 226 | 215 | 341 | 104 | 120 | 127 | 289 | 84 | 41 | 15 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Takapuna-North Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Takapuna-North Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Takapuna-North Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Takapuna-North 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 (Takapuna-North 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 Takapuna-North 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.
Takapuna-North Reef is 7 km (4 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.










