Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 2,430 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 16s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Lake Ferry’s been doin’ its thing, but this 16-day run is a real mixed bag. The water’s sittin’ at 51°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year – you’ll want a good steamer.
The first proper window to paddle out is Thursday 20th August afternoon. The lake’s got a solid 5ft S swell pumping in, and the glassy conditions with that light SW breeze at 3 mph are gonna make for some super clean lines. The wave energy is strong (512), and while the tide is often a factor here, that glassiness is a real rare treat. It’s not gonna be the biggest, but it’ll be your best bet for a fun, uncrowded session on the sandbar.
Come Friday 21st August, the morning’s got a similar 5ft S swell, but the period jumps to a very long 15 seconds – this is proper groundswell. The NE wind is offshore at 6 mph, so it’ll be clean, but with that long period, the sandbar might make ‘em a bit straight. The wave energy is enormous (1239), so it’s for experienced surfers only. Friday afternoon drops to 5ft S swell with an NNW cross-off breeze, still offering clean waves but less grunt.
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd are a write-off. The wind hits 25 mph, absolutely destroying the lake. Flick it off, it’s not worth it.
The next real standout is Monday 24th August, but here’s the catch. The morning has a massive 10ft SSW swell with a 14-second period – huge energy (3562). The NNE breeze at 6 mph is offshore, so it’ll look incredible, but it’s way too big for this break. That’s expert territory or kite-surfing conditions only. Same story for the afternoon – 10ft, clean cross-off wind, but too much muscle.
After that, the lake goes quiet with small, marginal swell from Tuesday 25th through to the end of the month. There’s the odd 5ft bump, but it’s crossed up and messy.
Now, look ahead to Sunday 31st August. The morning brings a pumping 8ft SSW swell with a 14-second period – this is big (4199 energy) and the glassy conditions with a light SW breeze will make it look perfect. But fair warning, at 8ft it’s only for experienced surfers. The afternoon on the 31st gets even bigger at 12ft and that’s straight into the “too big” category for Lake Ferry.
Then it’s a whole lot of blowy rubbish from Monday 1st September until Thursday 3rd. The wind goes wild again. There’s a glimmer of hope on Friday 4th September with a nice 6ft S swell, clean as a whistle with light offshore NNE wind in the morning and a dead calm, glassy afternoon. That’s a proper little window to circle.
So, the pick of the bunch is Thursday 20th August afternoon for that glassy, manageable swell. For the experienced crew, the Friday 21st August morning and Sunday 31st August morning offer real power. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big. Keep an eye on the forecast, ‘cause a blank run here is pretty normal.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the NW by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 15 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
773 | 1232 | 669 | 397 | 247 | 188 | 100 | 31 | 16 | 75 | 2430 | 1659 | 593 | 265 | 605 | 431 | 604 | 376 | 242 | |
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 | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:17PM1.14m | 11:42AM1.21m | 00:03AM1.12m | 12:27PM1.21m | 00:48AM1.10m | 1:11PM1.20m | 1:31AM1.09m | 1:55PM1.20m | 2:14AM1.09m | 2:39PM1.20m | 2:57AM1.08m | 3:23PM1.20m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:26AM0.20m | 5:59PM0.22m | 6:10AM0.22m | 6:44PM0.24m | 6:53AM0.24m | 7:28PM0.25m | 7:35AM0.24m | 8:12PM0.26m | 8:18AM0.23m | 8:56PM0.26m | 9:02AM0.22m | 9:41PM0.25m | |||||||
— | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 15 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 13 |
773 | 1232 | 669 | 397 | 247 | 188 | 100 | 31 | 16 | 75 | 2430 | 1659 | 593 | 265 | 605 | 431 | 604 | 376 | 242 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 12 | E 15 | E 13 | S 16 | S 15 | SW 15 | ESE 13 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SSW 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SSW 16 |
267 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 33 | 8 | 8 | 121 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 91 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | E 8 | — | SE 12 | E 16 | — | — | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | — | — | — | SE 14 | — | — | — | — | SE 13 |
6 | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 6 |
— | — | 3 | 154 | 471 | 221 | 400 | 494 | 207 | 168 | 13 | 3 | 19 | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 42 | 138 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 31 | 82 | 91 | 140 | 160 | 240 | 154 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 91 | 9 | 18 | 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.











