
Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, S swell with 4,240 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period with S 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 (Jul 22) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lake Ferry in the next 16 days are 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, but we’re talking feet and miles now. For Lake Ferry, here’s the 16-day picture.
The kick-off is July 22nd. Wednesday morning has a clean 4ft S swell with a 12-second period and a NNE offshore blowing at 5 km/h. The water is about normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 363. It’s not big, but it’s smooth and clean. Come afternoon, it gets glassy, the swell drops to 3ft from the same direction. This is your best early window. It’s small, but it’s clean, and you might have it quiet, though crowds are sometimes a factor.
Then it goes south, fast. The 23rd of July sees a 2ft SSW swell, and the wind hits 30 km/h in the afternoon, ruining it. From the 24th through the 31st, it’s a grim stretch. Onshore winds, stormy, and barely any energy. The combined energy drops to a measly 10 at one point. The 27th has a 15ft S swell, but it’s under 40 km/h onshore winds—total mayhem, only for the crazy.
The 28th of July afternoon offers a moment: a 6ft S swell with glassy conditions and no wind. Energy jumps to 688, but it’s a short 8-second period. Best in a week, but just a flash.
Through the start of August, it’s tiny. The 1st and 2nd have 2ft to 2ft swells with weak energy. The 3rd of August morning has a 2ft SSW swell with a 13-second period and a clean NNE offshore, but it’s barely there.
Now the big one. On the 5th of August, a massive 12ft SSW swell is predicted, with a 15-second period and clean cross-offshore winds from the NW. The combined energy is a monstrous 9680. The forecast says it’s too big for this break, and at over 8ft, it’s strictly for experts. The 6th of August is similar, with a 10ft S swell. This is a heavy, long-period south groundswell on a lake sandbar—a raw, powerful, unpredictable beast. For the brave, it’s a mission. For everyone else, it’s a spectator sport.
So, the first two weeks are mostly flat and messy. The stand-out is July 22nd for a small, clean session. The big gamble is August 5th and 6th for the serious crew.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the NW by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri night, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, strong winds from the SSW by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
519 | 341 | 294 | 155 | 81 | 40 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 24 | 165 | 563 | 176 | 202 | 460 | 1322 | 2831 | 4240 | 2351 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 10:57PM1.22m | 11:27AM1.22m | 11:48PM1.17m | 12:16PM1.21m | 00:35AM1.14m | 1:02PM1.20m | 1:21AM1.11m | 1:47PM1.20m | 2:05AM1.10m | 2:30PM1.21m | 2:49AM1.09m | 3:14PM1.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:13AM0.12m | 5:40PM0.17m | 6:00AM0.16m | 6:30PM0.21m | 6:45AM0.20m | 7:18PM0.24m | 7:28AM0.22m | 8:04PM0.25m | 8:11AM0.24m | 8:49PM0.26m | 8:55AM0.24m | 9:34PM0.26m | |||||||
— | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 18 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
Temp °C | 7 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
Feels °C | 4 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | -1 | -2 | -2 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | S 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SE 13 | ESE 16 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 |
519 | 341 | 294 | 155 | 81 | 40 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 24 | 19 | 51 | 176 | 84 | 98 | 41 | 48 | 68 | 529 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 13 | SW 18 | SE 14 | SW 7 | SE 15 | SE 14 | E 10 | — | — | — |
5 | 22 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 104 | 55 | 52 | 54 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 12 | E 11 | SW 12 | S 12 | SW 14 | S 8 | SE 13 | SE 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | E 10 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 11 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 48 | 82 | 73 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | — | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 |
2 | — | — | — | 13 | 89 | 307 | 172 | 69 | 12 | 165 | 563 | — | 202 | 460 | 1322 | 2831 | 4240 | 2351 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 82 | 174 | 154 | 158 | 14 | 140 | 140 | 25 | 64 | 112 | 112 | 140 | 230 | 153 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










