
Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, S swell with 8,619 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period with ESE 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 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) 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 31) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. The first solid surf window I can see doesn’t kick in until Monday, August 3rd. Before that, we’ve got a real quiet stretch with only tiny, weak waves and gnarly onshore winds—nothing worth getting wet for. That’s a gap of a few days from the start of the period.
Now, the standout of the whole 16-day window is Thursday, August 6th, at Lake Ferry (sandbar). The morning starts with a clean 8 ft swell from the SSE, period of 14 seconds, and a light offshore breeze from the NNE. That’s a proper long-period groundswell with plenty of punch (combined energy 2702). The afternoon goes even better—7 ft, SSE, 13-second period, and dead glassy conditions with zero wind. This is prime for experienced surfers only, as anything over 8 ft is expert territory. The swell direction matches the optimum S direction, so the setup is dialed. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.
The preceding days have some interesting but not perfect options. Monday, August 3rd sees a 3 ft SSE swell with a 11-second period and light offshore winds in the morning—clean, gentle, but only moderate energy (346). Good for a fun session if you’re not chasing size. Friday, August 7th offers 5 ft SSE swell, 12 seconds, and offshore winds again, with 606 combined energy—clean and solid for a step down from the Thursday peak.
From August 8th onward, the swell drops off into the 3 ft to 3 ft range with shorter periods, and the conditions get more ordinary. Still, there are glassy moments on the 11th, but the energy is weak (113). The rest of the second week is mostly small, clean, but unremarkable, with a few cross-off wind days.
No other break is featured in the data, so Lake Ferry is the only game in town. The water temperature anomaly is not given, so no comment on that.
If you’re an experienced surfer, point your rig at Lake Ferry on the 6th of August. That’s the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue night, strong winds from the NW by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon afternoon, min 3°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri night, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
98 | 95 | 86 | 174 | 115 | 70 | 67 | 28 | 25 | 335 | 5226 | 4583 | 2884 | 1174 | 813 | 441 | 254 | 143 | 2607 | |
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 | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 4:17AM1.08m | 4:43PM1.22m | 5:02AM1.08m | 5:28PM1.21m | 5:47AM1.07m | 6:13PM1.20m | 6:33AM1.07m | 6:59PM1.19m | 7:19AM1.08m | 7:44PM1.18m | 8:06AM1.09m | 8:30PM1.18m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:20PM0.26m | 10:24AM0.22m | 11:06PM0.25m | 11:10AM0.21m | 11:52PM0.24m | 11:57AM0.21m | 00:38AM0.23m | 12:44PM0.20m | 1:23AM0.22m | 1:31PM0.20m | 2:07AM0.21m | 2:19PM0.20m | 2:51AM0.19m | ||||||
— | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 6 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 9 |
Feels °C | 3 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | -2 | -1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 14 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 |
98 | 95 | 86 | 174 | 115 | 70 | 67 | 28 | 25 | 38 | 85 | 85 | 71 | 1174 | 813 | 441 | 254 | 135 | 1954 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSW 14 | SE 16 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 13 | S 19 | SSW 9 | SW 8 | SSW 11 | NE 13 |
57 | 20 | 80 | 56 | 47 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 35 | 18 | 8 | 195 | 7 | 48 | 55 | 43 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SW 16 | SSW 9 | ENE 5 | S 18 | — | SE 12 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 11 | — | — | NE 16 | SE 14 | SSW 10 | E 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | — |
23 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 6 | — | 6 | 9 | 9 | 5 | — | — | 10 | 114 | 88 | 4 | 37 | 69 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | SW 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | — | NW 3 | NNW 4 | — | SSW 9 | S 11 |
— | 11 | 77 | 145 | 171 | 145 | 231 | 266 | 129 | 335 | 5226 | 4583 | 2884 | — | 3 | 31 | — | 143 | 2607 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 27 | 31 | 82 | 82 | 91 | 140 | 130 | 91 | 112 | 140 | 91 | 91 | 172 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 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.










