Lake Ferry Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.40° S 175.15° E

Lake Ferry Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Lake Ferry sea temperature is
10.8°C
1.1° 

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


Lake Ferry surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 3,251 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lake Ferry this week:

The surf forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lake Ferry in the next 16 days are 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 26th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 27th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 9AM (Thu 27th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at the whole 16-day picture for Lake Ferry. It’s a sandbar break, exposed to the swell, and the optimum direction is from the south. The water temperature is sitting at 51°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good 5/4 and some booties.

We kick things off on Monday the 24th of August with some surf, but don’t get too excited. There’s a 8ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, but the wind’s a cross-off from the north, and the conditions are described as marginal with questionable tides. The combined swell energy is high at 1919, but the quality just isn’t there. The afternoon drops to 7ft.

Tuesday the 25th is poor. The swell drops to 4ft in the morning and the wind is up to 30 km/h. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 26th is similar story – 4ft swell with a nice long 15-second period, but the wind is 30 km/h in the afternoon ruining it. The morning has a gentler breeze, but it’s just not coming together.

Now, Thursday the 27th of August is where we get our first true standout. The morning is absolutely glassy with zero wind, and a solid 8ft SSW swell running with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is a massive 3327. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. That long period groundswell will be lining up nicely, but watch for it to be a bit straight-breaking on a sandbar; still, with glassy conditions, the sets will be clean and powerful. This is the best session on offer in the whole first week. Crowds are possible here.

Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th are mostly poor, with onshore winds and dropping swell. Sunday the 30th only has a tiny 2ft swell with weak energy (100). A total write-off.

Monday the 31st of August sees a return of some hope. A 5ft SSW swell arrives in the morning with a 14-second period and light breeze, giving expect very good surf conditions. The afternoon looks better with a 4ft swell and light cross-off wind, making for excellent surf for experienced surfers. Combined energy hits 1121 in the PM. Not a standout, but a decent session.

Then we hit a massive spike on Tuesday the 1st of September. An 18ft SSW swell with a 13-second period is on the cards. That’s huge. The combined energy is an enormous 9908. The forecast says it’s too big for this break, so unless you’re a shark-bait big-wave charger with a jet-ski, give it a wide berth. The afternoon is still a 15ft monster. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s questionable.

Wednesday the 2nd of September is still big with a 8ft swell, but the wind is a strong 40 km/h cross-off. It’s messy and the tide looks questionable. Not recommended.

Thursday the 3rd of September is a lost cause with strong onshore winds and a lumpy, cross-onshore mess. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Friday the 4th of September has some hope with a 8ft SSW swell and gentle cross-shore wind, but it’s noted as marginal with cross-chop. Afternoon has onshore wind.

The final weekend, Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September, is a slow fade. Saturday is tiny at 3ft. Sunday the 6th morning has a glassy 3ft SSW swell with a 12-second period. It’s surfable for a longboard or a funboard, with calm winds giving clean conditions. Combined energy is low at 209.

From there, the second week runs dry with small, weak swell and strong winds. The 7th and 8th of September are poor, with winds over 35 km/h and swells dropping below 3ft.

So to sum it up: don’t hold your breath for the first few days. The absolute standout is Thursday the 27th of August morning at Lake Ferry. That glassy, long-period groundswell with 8ft is the one to circle on the calendar. The other decent shot is the afternoon of Monday the 31st of August. Everything else is either too big, too windy, or too small. It’s a patchy run, but that one morning will make it worth the wait. Keep an eye on the forecasts though, it tends not to stay poor for long.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Mon night, calm by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri afternoon).

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
1
0
2
1
2
0
3
5
4
3
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
SSW
13
2.1
SSW
12
1.5
SSW
12
1.3
SSW
11
1.2
SSW
14
1
SSW
15
1.1
SSW
15
1
SSW
14
1.5
SSW
17
2.4
SSW
17
2.1
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
13
1.3
S
12
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
11
1.1
S
11
1
S
11
0.9
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.6
S
7
0.9
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1886
1376
614
387
557
456
491
347
1230
3251
2028
1058
530
350
203
287
220
162
46
31
242
Wind (km/h)
15
N
20
NNW
25
NW
30
NW
25
NW
15
N
15
NNW
30
NW
25
NW
5
NNW
15
NNW
20
N
25
NNW
35
NNW
20
NW
20
NNW
25
NW
15
SW
10
N
20
NW
15
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:55PM1.20m
2:14AM1.09m
2:39PM1.20m
2:57AM1.08m
3:23PM1.20m
3:41AM1.08m
4:07PM1.20m
4:26AM1.09m
4:53PM1.20m
5:12AM1.10m
5:39PM1.20m
6:00AM1.11m
6:26PM1.19m
Low Tide
8:12PM0.26m
8:18AM0.23m
8:56PM0.26m
9:02AM0.22m
9:41PM0.25m
9:47AM0.21m
10:27PM0.23m
10:35AM0.19m
11:13PM0.22m
11:23AM0.18m
00:00AM0.20m
12:14PM0.17m
00:47AM0.19m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
 mm
2
1
1
Temp °C
13
14
12
15
15
12
16
15
14
14
15
13
13
13
13
14
14
10
14
15
13
Feels °C
8
9
7
9
10
9
11
10
10
13
13
9
8
6
8
9
9
6
11
10
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 Lake Ferry Surf forecast

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

Lake Ferry is 28 km (17 miles) from Lower Hutt. If you plan a holiday in The Wairarapa, look for hotels and other accommodation in Lower Hutt. Lower Hutt has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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