
Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with 1,256 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM. 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+) | 9AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’re in for a quiet stretch at Lake Ferry for a good while, with a few glimmers later on. The forecast starts with very small, marginal waves and ordinary conditions, so don’t expect much action for the first few days. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate, with values ranging from 12 to 1234 (the highest being a quick spike of big, messy swell).
Thursday the 23rd kicks off with tiny 2ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, and a gentle offshore from the NNE keeps it clean. The energy is low (96), and it’s really just a knee-high dribble. By the afternoon, the wind swings NNW and picks up to 30 km/h, making things cross-off and messy with even smaller waves.
Friday the 24th is basically flat and poor, with wind and rain making a mess of things. Saturday the 25th sees a jump in swell height – Saturday afternoon pumps up to 10ft from the SSW at 8 seconds, but that’s onshore wind at 30 km/h and poor surf quality. The combined energy hits 1234, but with that short period and strong onshore, it’s a blown-out mess, not paddle-friendly. That’s more kite-surfing territory than surfable.
Sunday the 26th still has solid 7–8ft S swell, but with cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions, it’s not a day to get excited about. The energy is still strong (778–733) but the quality is lacking.
We get a break in the wind on Tuesday the 28th, and that’s the first real standout. Tuesday morning: 3ft SSE swell at 11 seconds, light offshore from the N at 10 km/h, clean surf, and a combined energy of 450. It’s not big, but the conditions will be glassy and lined up nicely. That’s your best bet in the first week. Tuesday afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze.
Wednesday the 29th has tiny 2ft ESE swell with a long 13-second period. Clean offshore winds, but it’s barely breaking – just a fun little ankle-slapper for a longboard.
Now, into the second week, the outlook gets a bit more interesting but less certain. Saturday the 1st of August morning: 3ft SSW swell at 12 seconds, light cross-off wind from the NNW, clean and surfable. Energy is moderate at 231. Sunday the 2nd gets wild – a massive 13ft S swell with only 9 seconds, wind-affected and too big for this sandbar system. The afternoon shows 10ft and cross-off wind, but the forecast waves are just too powerful and dangerous.
The real gem might be Wednesday the 5th of August. Morning: 6ft S swell at 10 seconds, light offshore from the NNE, very clean surf with an energy of 881. That’s a solid head-high swell, organized, and with light wind. The afternoon holds up well with 6ft and clean conditions again. That’s the best-looking day in the whole run – but it’s still a long way off, so keep an eye on the forecast.
Overall, Lake Ferry is a moody spot. You’ll get a few clean windows, but the big swell days bring nasty wind or just too much water moving around. If you’re keen, pencil in Tuesday the 28th or Wednesday the 5th. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Wed night, fresh winds from the NW by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 3°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 4 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
155 | 81 | 56 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 19 | 24 | 1204 | 703 | 601 | 523 | 401 | 320 | 127 | 328 | 207 | 117 | 98 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:33AM1.09m | 3:58PM1.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:39AM0.23m | 10:20PM0.26m | |||||||
— | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
Feels °C | 4 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | NW 4 | ESE 18 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SSW 14 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 |
155 | 81 | 56 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 19 | 3 | 30 | 65 | 55 | 79 | 401 | 320 | 127 | 328 | 207 | 117 | 46 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 13 | SSW 14 | ENE 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | ESE 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | ESE 13 |
10 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 50 | 48 | 41 | 52 | 45 | 36 | 89 | 129 | 138 | 88 | 98 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 12 | E 11 | SW 12 | S 12 | S 14 | S 8 | SW 18 | NNW 8 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SSW 10 |
2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 62 | 81 | 79 | 31 | 34 | 88 | 113 | 105 | 96 | 38 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — |
— | 20 | 99 | 307 | 205 | 86 | 103 | 24 | 1204 | 703 | 601 | 523 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 82 | 82 | 154 | 154 | 34 | 82 | 140 | 34 | 64 | 64 | 34 | 34 | 106 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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.










