Riversdale surf break

Riversdale surfForecast / Wairarapa / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Wednesday 17 Dec 2025 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Riversdale surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Riversdale sea temperature is
16.4° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Riversdale this week:

The surf forecast for Riversdale over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 2.0m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 12 days are 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Dec 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 20) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 18th Dec)8ft (2.4m) 9s
Best Surf 4AM (Thu 18th Dec)8ft (2.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 4PM (Mon 22nd Dec)7ft (2.2m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
3
2
1
2
1
0
0
4
2
2
1
1
3
2
2
3
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
NE
1.7
SSW
2.5
SSW
1.8
S
1.6
S
1.1
S
0.7
S
0.5
S
0.5
ENE
2.3
SSW
1.9
SSW
1.3
S
1.1
S
1.6
SSW
1.7
SSW
1.2
SSW
2.2
S
2.1
S
1.9
S
1.7
S
1.4
S
Period(s) (?)8799987789888810101312111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)48262102747038915651243782949822417335061027615581225872661379
Wind
(km/h)
20
WSW
30
WSW
20
W
5
W
10
ESE
15
NW
15
NW
35
WNW
25
WSW
15
WSW
15
S
5
WSW
10
SSW
10
SSE
0
NNE
5
SSW
10
SE
15
NNE
25
NW
40
WNW
10
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glassoncross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
glassglassoncrosscross-
off
offoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:12PM
1.26
4:37AM
1.35
4:58PM
1.26
5:22AM
1.37
5:43PM
1.26
6:06AM
1.40
6:28PM
1.27
6:51AM
1.41
7:13PM
1.27
7:35AM
1.42
7:56PM
1.26
8:18AM
1.41
8:40PM
1.25
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:08AM
0.31
10:20PM
0.29
10:55AM
0.31
11:04PM
0.30
11:41AM
0.30
11:49PM
0.29
12:28PM
0.29
12:34AM
0.28
1:13PM
0.28
1:19AM
0.27
1:59PM
0.27
2:03AM
0.27
2:43PM
0.26
2:46AM
0.26
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Sunrise5:37--5:37--5:37--5:37--5:39--5:39--5:39--
Sunset-8:45--8:45--8:45--8:45--8:46--8:47--8:47-
thunderstorm
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
231-----5232-----311-
Temp. °C14121117171621191714119141412181718222115
Feels °C (?)8661515121812131085111210151417191411
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Riversdale Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Riversdale provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Riversdale can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Riversdale 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 (Riversdale) 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 Riversdale 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.

Riversdale is 38 km (24 miles) from Masterton. If you plan a holiday in The Wairarapa, look for hotels and other accommodation in Masterton. Masterton has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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