
Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SSW swell with 5,743 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 23s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 23s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m 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 3.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 23s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Lake Ferry.
First off, the water is sitting at 52°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – so don’t be shy with the rubber.
We’ve got a slow start, but things kick off Saturday morning, July 18th. The standout of the whole window is Saturday morning at Lake Ferry. You’ve got a clean 4ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the north. The combined swell energy is strong (1246), and it’s going to be clean. This is the best wave of the run – solid, lined up, and for experienced crew only. The moderate crowd factor means you might have some company, but it’s worth it.
Saturday afternoon bumps up to 7ft from the same SSW direction, but the wind shifts to a light cross from the WNW, and the forecast is marginal – tide or conditions might mess with it. The energy is huge (4197), so it’s powerful, but the quality drops.
Sunday morning, July 19th, is onshore from the SW with 6ft and a 16-second period – still a solid swell, but the wind is on it, so it’s messy. Afternoon gets worse as the wind picks up and turns cross-on. Skip it.
Monday morning, July 20th, brings back clean conditions with a 5ft SSW swell, 19-second period, and a light cross-off from the east. The energy is very strong (2580), and this is another excellent session for the experienced. The afternoon, though, hits 10ft with the same long period, and the wind is light cross – but the wave comment says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert territory only, and even then, it’s pushing it.
Tuesday, July 21st, is back to quality: morning has 7ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and clean offshore wind from the NNE. Energy is strong (1645). Afternoon drops to 6ft but stays clean with a cross-off from the NNW. Both sessions are good, but the morning is the pick.
Wednesday morning, July 22nd, is a glassy 4ft from the S, 12-second period – small but clean, and the energy is moderate (353). Expect decent surf for the size, but it’s not a standout.
After that, we hit a long gap. From Wednesday afternoon, July 22nd, right through to Saturday, July 25th, conditions are poor or marginal. There’s a small window Saturday morning, July 25th, with 5ft but a short, weak 6-second period and onshore wind – not worth paddling out for.
Sunday, July 26th, is a write-off with strong onshore winds and tiny swell.
Then, Monday, July 27th, is a surprise. The morning is glassy with a 10ft SSW swell, 9-second period – the energy is high (1497), but the wave comment says it’s too big for the break. Afternoon is glassy too, with 10ft and an 11-second period, energy 1896, but again, too big for this spot. Only for the most experienced, and with caution.
From Tuesday, July 28th, through to the end of the window, the surf is marginal or poor. Winds are moderate to fresh, swells are inconsistent, and the energy is moderate at best. Nothing to get excited about.
So, the takeaway: Saturday morning, July 18th, is your best bet – clean, solid, and powerful. Monday morning, July 20th, is the other standout. The rest is either too big, too onshore, too small, or just plain poor. Get out there early and make the most of it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu night, min 6°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the NNW by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 14 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
660 | 4063 | 3245 | 1818 | 1498 | 1801 | 1421 | 5743 | 3149 | 1633 | 1179 | 584 | 330 | 260 | 119 | 81 | 34 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 13 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 8:14PM1.40m | 8:42AM1.27m | 9:10PM1.34m | 9:39AM1.25m | 10:05PM1.28m | 10:34AM1.23m | 10:57PM1.22m | 11:27AM1.22m | 11:48PM1.17m | 12:16PM1.21m | 00:35AM1.14m | 1:02PM1.20m | 1:21AM1.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:00PM-0.02m | 2:39AM0.01m | 2:57PM0.02m | 3:32AM0.04m | 3:54PM0.07m | 4:24AM0.07m | 4:48PM0.12m | 5:13AM0.12m | 5:40PM0.17m | 6:00AM0.16m | 6:30PM0.21m | 6:45AM0.20m | 7:18PM0.24m | ||||||||
7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 13 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | NNW 4 |
660 | 4063 | 3245 | 1818 | 1498 | 1801 | 1122 | 5743 | 3149 | 1633 | 1179 | 584 | 330 | 260 | 119 | 81 | 34 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | SSW 19 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SW 4 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 |
142 | 134 | 123 | 68 | 65 | 38 | 1421 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 23 | 2 | 53 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 24 | — | S 24 | — | — | — | SE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 11 | SW 4 | SSE 13 | SSE 9 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | S 11 | NW 7 |
444 | — | 99 | — | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 4 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 4 | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 3 | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | SW 4 |
— | — | 16 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 4 | 47 | 113 | 111 | 40 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 23 | 9 | 31 | 64 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 82 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 130 | 34 | 34 | 106 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










