
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-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, SSW swell with 5,302 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 15s. 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| 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
G’day, Rusty here. Lake Ferry is the only spot on the table for this 16-day run, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. This is a sandbar set-up that’s exposed to the south, so when it lines up, it can hold some serious energy. Right now, the water’s sitting at 52°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – a solid 2° chillier than average, so you’ll want a good thick steamer.
The action kicks off this Friday, July 17, with a clean 5ft SSW swell pushing in on a 14-second period. The morning’s got a light NE breeze blowing offshore, making for excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The combined energy is moderate at 1082. That afternoon turns glassy with no wind, same 5ft swell but a longer 15-second period (942 energy). It’s clean, but the period is long enough that at a beach-sandbar setup, it might be a bit straight, so keep that in mind.
Saturday the 18th starts clean again with a 4ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and a light NNW cross-off wind (1237 energy). Solid. The afternoon jumps to 7ft from the SSW with a very long 22-second period – that’s groundswell territory – and the energy is strong at 4197. But the wind goes cross, and the surf is marginal for this break. That’s a lot of juice for a sandbar; it might be too big and too straight, so only for the experienced crew.
Sunday the 19th is a standout. Morning brings 6ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions (1909 energy). That is clean, powerful, and well-shaped for those who can handle it. The afternoon stays clean enough with 6ft and a cross wind, but the morning is the call.
Monday the 20th morning is excellent: 6ft SSW swell, 14-second period, cross-off wind from the east (2201 energy). Clean. The afternoon though… 10ft from the SSW with a 19-second period, and the energy is extreme at 5316. The forecast says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert-only, if even that.
Tuesday the 21st morning sees 7ft from the south, 14-second period, with a nice offshore NNE breeze (1543 energy). Clean and punchy for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit windier with NNW winds at 12 mph, but still clean.
From Wednesday the 22nd onward, things drop off significantly. The 22nd morning has 4ft SSW swell, 12-second period, glassy, but the energy is only 427 – weak. The rest of that week and into the next just fades. There’s a gap from the 23rd through the 25th where it’s mostly poor or ordinary, with small swell and onshore winds. The 24th afternoon has a weird spike of 8ft SSW swell, but it’s only 7-second period, so short and lumpy.
The 26th of July offers a bit of hope: Sunday morning with 5ft from the south, 8-second period, and a light offshore NNE breeze (642 energy). Clean, but that short period means it’ll be a bit mushy. The afternoon is similar.
From the 27th through the 29th, it’s mostly poor, with small swell and fresh winds. The 30th of July morning has a 7ft SSW swell, but it’s short-period (8 seconds) and the wind is strong cross-off at 16 mph – marginal at best. The 31st and into August 1st are all ordinary, with small swell and poor conditions.
The best on offer is clearly Sunday the 19th morning, with that 6ft SSW groundswell and glassy conditions. Monday the 20th morning is also a cracker if you want a bit more size (6ft) and cross-off wind. After that, the second week is thin and uncertain, with nothing really standing out. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this run has a good few days at the start, then a long quiet spell. It tends not to stay poor for long, but for now, the window is the first four days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
731 | 773 | 475 | 651 | 4063 | 2870 | 1841 | 1498 | 1479 | 1270 | 5302 | 2781 | 1531 | 1018 | 598 | 425 | 373 | 209 | 87 | 108 | 57 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 7:17PM1.45m | 7:44AM1.28m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:01PM-0.04m | 1:44AM-0.01m | 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 | ||||||||
7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 9 |
731 | 773 | 475 | 651 | 4063 | 2870 | 1841 | 1498 | 1479 | 1270 | 5302 | 2781 | 1531 | 1018 | 598 | 425 | 373 | 209 | 87 | 108 | 57 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | S 19 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
171 | 169 | 201 | 142 | 134 | 123 | 68 | 65 | 38 | 894 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 34 | 46 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | NW 4 | — | SSW 24 | — | ESE 14 | — | — | — | SE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 9 | SSW 12 |
180 | 9 | — | 444 | — | 486 | — | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 21 | 28 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | NW 4 |
1 | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 29 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 45 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 23 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 27 |
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.










