
Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 4,094 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s 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 (Sep 09) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, talking Lake Ferry. This is a sandbar setup in a lake, so it’s not your typical ocean break. Water temp is about average for this time of year.
The first few days are a total bust. Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th are just poor surf with tiny, weak swells and bad wind. Not worth a second look. Friday morning the 11th shows a little hope with a 2ft S swell, but that’s a long period groundswell at 18 seconds – it can break too straight at a sandbar, so keep that in mind. It’s clean with a light breeze, so it’s an option for the patient.
The big standout is Saturday afternoon the 12th. The swell hits 10ft from the SSW with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 4672 – that’s serious power. The wind is a light cross-offshore and it’s clean. But 10ft is way too big for this break. This is strictly for experts, and it’s going to be a heavy, dangerous wave. Sunday morning the 13th is the same story: 10ft from the SSW, but with a cross-onshore wind, so it’s lumpy and even more chaotic.
Monday the 14th is the best realistic option. The morning brings a 7ft S swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is light and offshore – clean. The combined energy is 1254, that’s a solid, powerful wave. This is where the experienced surfers should be. The afternoon drops to 6ft, still clean, but less punch.
After that, it fades. Tuesday the 15th is smaller and windy, Wednesday the 16th is a mess with a 4-second period, and the rest of the week is a mix of strong winds or huge, blown-out swells. Friday the 18th afternoon has an 12ft SSW swell with a 17-second period – a very long period groundswell – and the combined energy is 6804, but with a moderate breeze, it’s a beast for experts only. The following week, from the 19th onward, is mostly poor with strong winds and small, weak swells.
So, if you’re a competent surfer, Monday morning the 14th is your window. Clean, solid 7ft S swell, light offshore breeze. The Saturday afternoon 12th is a monster, but only for the brave and the very skilled. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Wed night, calm by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
55 | 34 | 34 | 12 | 18 | 94 | 352 | 270 | 118 | 353 | 856 | 2954 | 3420 | 3213 | 2258 | 1615 | 1254 | 855 | 550 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:20AM1.25m | 2:51PM1.40m | 3:15AM1.26m | 3:46PM1.38m | 4:10AM1.26m | 4:40PM1.35m | 5:05AM1.26m | 5:34PM1.31m | 6:00AM1.25m | 6:28PM1.27m | 6:54AM1.25m | 7:22PM1.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:31AM0.02m | 9:12PM0.05m | 9:28AM0.02m | 10:07PM0.06m | 10:25AM0.02m | 11:02PM0.06m | 11:22AM0.04m | 11:56PM0.08m | 12:20PM0.07m | 00:49AM0.10m | 1:15PM0.10m | 1:40AM0.12m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
Feels °C | 4 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 |
55 | 34 | 34 | 12 | 11 | 75 | 74 | 114 | 48 | 353 | 856 | 2954 | 3420 | 2444 | 2258 | 1615 | 1254 | 855 | 550 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 6 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | NW 4 | NE 13 | SSW 16 | ENE 12 | — | NE 12 | — | — | — | — |
11 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 18 | 3 | 72 | 270 | 118 | 5 | 7 | 1718 | 15 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 19 | S 18 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | SSW 18 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 107 | 1 | 4 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 3 | NW 6 | NW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 7 | — | NW 4 | — | S 5 | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 |
— | — | 4 | 224 | 17 | 94 | 352 | — | 41 | — | 57 | — | — | 3213 | — | — | 5 | 39 | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 14 | 27 | 82 | 27 | 158 | 112 | 9 | 27 | 9 | 42 | 9 | 9 | 42 | 42 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 9 |
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.










