Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 6,040 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s 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 (Aug 27) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 2.3m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Lake Ferry in feet and miles per hour.
The water’s sitting at 52°, which is about 2° cooler than usual for this time of year – a bit chilly, but not unheard of.
The first real surf shows up on Wednesday, 26 August morning. A 4ft swell from the SSW with a 15-second period. That’s a long period groundswell, so it’s got some push. The wind is 9 mph from the NNW, blowing cross-off, so it’s clean. The combined energy is moderate (513). It’s a so-so session. The break is a sandbar, and with that long period, it might break a bit too straight. Crowds are possible.
Wednesday afternoon is a bust. The wind jumps to 22 mph, and the swell drops to 3ft. The energy falls to 343. Not worth it.
Thursday, 27 August morning, is the standout. The swell is 6ft from the SSW with a 17-second period – that’s a very long groundswell. The energy is strong (2208). The wind is light at 6 mph from the east, cross-off, so it’s clean. This is for experienced surfers only. The sandbar might make it a bit straight, but for those who can handle it, it’s the best of the first week. Thursday afternoon holds at 7ft from the south, 16 seconds, but the wind picks up to 9 mph and there are tide concerns.
Friday, 28 August, and Saturday, 29 August, are garbage. Strong winds, 19-22 mph, and the swell drops to 4ft then 2ft. The energy fades to 165. Skip it.
Sunday, 30 August, is flat. The swell is 1ft, with a 9 mph offshore wind in the morning, but it’s not enough. The energy is 55.
Monday, 31 August morning, is a beast. Glassy conditions, no wind. The swell is 13ft from the SSW with a 12-second period. The energy is massive (4871). The forecast says it’s too big for this break. That’s a washout for most. The afternoon drops to 8ft but with 19 mph winds.
Tuesday, 1 September, is the same story. 13ft in the morning, 10ft in the afternoon, both flagged as too big.
The real pick is Thursday, 27 August morning. That 6ft, 17-second swell with light cross-off wind is your best bet. The energy is strong (2208), and it’s clean. Experienced surfers only.
The second week is a desert. There’s a flash on Thursday, 3 September afternoon – 8ft from the south, glassy wind, and excellent conditions for experts. The energy is strong (1773). That’s a one-off. After that, it’s all small and windy. Swell drops to 6ft on 4 September with strong winds, then to 0.9ft by 7 September. The energy is down to 70. The wind is howling by 8 and 9 September.
So, if you’re looking for a wave, hit Thursday, 27 August morning. The second week has a tiny window on Thursday, 3 September afternoon, but it’s a gamble. After that, the lake goes quiet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed night, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | S 16 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 8 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
505 | 336 | 939 | 2024 | 2141 | 1042 | 513 | 290 | 121 | 123 | 114 | 75 | 31 | 36 | 800 | 4871 | 2186 | 2208 | 5150 | 2770 | 1812 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:23PM1.20m | 3:41AM1.08m | 4:07PM1.20m | 4:26AM1.09m | 4:53PM1.20m | 5:12AM1.10m | 5:39PM1.20m | 6:00AM1.11m | 6:26PM1.19m | 6:49AM1.14m | 7:15PM1.19m | 7:39AM1.18m | 8:05PM1.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:02AM0.22m | 9:41PM0.25m | 9:47AM0.21m | 10:27PM0.23m | 10:35AM0.19m | 11:13PM0.22m | 11:23AM0.18m | 00:00AM0.20m | 12:14PM0.17m | 00:47AM0.19m | 1:05PM0.16m | 1:35AM0.17m | 1:58PM0.15m | 2:23AM0.16m | |||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | |
— | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | S 16 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 8 | NW 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NW 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
505 | 336 | 939 | 2024 | 2141 | 1042 | 513 | 290 | 121 | 123 | 114 | 75 | 31 | 14 | 7 | 4871 | 2186 | 23 | 5150 | 2770 | 1812 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 14 | WNW 6 | S 7 | ESE 11 | E 16 | — | SE 15 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 |
8 | 7 | 74 | 168 | 13 | 5 | — | 8 | 58 | 47 | 31 | 41 | 17 | 36 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 901 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 13 | ESE 13 | — | E 16 | SE 11 | ESE 15 | SSE 14 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SE 12 | SW 14 | S 9 | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 7 | 16 | — | 5 | 5 | 21 | 38 | 18 | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NW 6 | — | — | ENE 4 | NNE 3 | NNW 5 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | SSW 8 | — | NW 6 | SSW 9 | — | — | NNW 4 |
35 | 172 | — | — | 27 | 3 | 33 | 483 | 183 | 134 | 307 | 29 | 94 | 209 | 800 | — | 227 | 2208 | — | — | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 91 | 31 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 130 | 82 | 31 | 82 | 9 | 9 | 94 | 130 | 9 | 84 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 91 |
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.











