
Surf Forecasts:
Lake Ferry surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, SSW swell with 6,991 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lake Ferry in the next 16 days are 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lake Ferry over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Lake Ferry in feet and miles per hour. First few days are a total bust. The water is 53°F, about average for the time of year, so you’ll need a hooded 5/4.
Tuesday, July 28th, we get a 3ft SE swell with a 12-second period and a light offshore breeze. The wave energy is weak (306). It’s okay, nothing special. The afternoon goes glassy, with a 3ft ESE swell.
From Wednesday, July 29th, through the end of the week, the wind is a killer. A 2ft swell with 25 mph winds, then onshore junk up to 40 mph. On Saturday, August 1st, the swell jumps to 16ft with a massive combined energy (4237) and onshore wind. That’s a kite-surfing setup, not a surfing one. Sunday, August 2nd, is the same story: 15ft to 16ft of onshore wind and rain.
The first real window opens Monday, August 3rd. We get a clean 4ft SSW groundswell, 9-second period, moderate energy (489). The morning is the best bet. Tuesday, August 4th, the morning is a standout: 3ft SSW swell, but the period is a long 14 seconds, and the wind is glassy. The energy is moderate (568). It’s a clean wave, but remember, this is a sandbar, so that long-period swell might be a bit straight.
Wednesday, August 5th, the morning is a beauty. 4ft SSW swell, 12-second period, glassy wind. Energy is moderate (569). Thursday, August 6th, afternoon is the real gem: 4ft SSW swell with a very long 15-second period, glassy. Energy is moderate (925). That’s a proper groundswell.
Then it gets big. Friday, August 7th, the swell is 20ft from the S with a combined energy of 15281. That’s an enormous amount of power. The wind is light, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. Only for experts. Saturday, August 8th, is still big at 10ft. Sunday, August 9th, is more manageable at 5ft from the S, with a clean morning wind and moderate energy (472).
After the 9th, the wind swings onshore from the east again, bringing rain and messy conditions through to the 12th. The swell drops to around 3ft, but it’s a choppy, poor mess.
So, the best bets are the morning of Wednesday, August 5th, for the cleanest ride, and the afternoon of Thursday, August 6th, for that glassy, long-period groundswell. The 7th and 8th are for the big wave crew, and it might be too big.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 3°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Fri night, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 5 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
223 | 206 | 98 | 95 | 86 | 174 | 115 | 102 | 67 | 28 | 43 | 126 | 6991 | 3680 | 2483 | 1960 | 1624 | 989 | 325 | 297 | 169 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 3:58PM1.22m | 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 | 9:39AM0.23m | 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 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | -2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | NW 5 | SE 16 | SE 15 | S 12 | SE 13 | S 19 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
223 | 206 | 98 | 95 | 86 | 174 | 115 | 102 | 67 | 28 | 43 | 22 | 65 | 83 | 2483 | 215 | 7 | 989 | 325 | 297 | 164 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 16 | SE 16 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 14 | NE 16 | S 19 | S 22 | SSW 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 |
83 | 85 | 39 | 20 | 80 | 56 | 47 | 26 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 38 | 19 | 18 | 70 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 218 | 230 | 99 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 8 | SW 16 | SSW 9 | — | S 18 | — | — | SSW 14 | E 11 | SW 14 | — | — | E 10 | — | S 19 | SW 22 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 15 |
— | — | 23 | 10 | 8 | — | 6 | — | — | 21 | 9 | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | 7 | 19 | 37 | 62 | 169 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | SW 5 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | — | S 11 | S 10 | — | NW 5 | NW 3 | NNW 3 |
— | — | — | 12 | 80 | 145 | 185 | 165 | 269 | 178 | 195 | 126 | 6991 | 3680 | — | 1960 | 1624 | — | 56 | 3 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 31 | 82 | 34 | 91 | 91 | 140 | 153 | 140 | 140 | 34 | 91 | 258 | 9 | 9 | 82 | 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.










