
Surf Forecasts:
Riversdale surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 5,430 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Riversdale this week:
The surf forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed night, min 7°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 15 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | S 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
517 | 332 | 183 | 270 | 373 | 373 | 277 | 207 | 149 | 60 | 93 | 185 | 311 | 254 | 172 | 266 | 1193 | 5361 | 3093 | 1832 | 1042 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 1:16PM1.56m | 1:44AM1.42m | 2:14PM1.57m | 2:41AM1.43m | 3:10PM1.57m | 3:37AM1.44m | 4:06PM1.57m | 4:32AM1.45m | 5:00PM1.55m | 5:26AM1.46m | 5:52PM1.53m | 6:18AM1.46m | 6:44PM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:37PM0.11m | 7:53AM0.09m | 8:34PM0.10m | 8:50AM0.07m | 9:31PM0.08m | 9:47AM0.06m | 10:26PM0.07m | 10:44AM0.06m | 11:20PM0.07m | 11:39AM0.07m | 00:12AM0.08m | 12:34PM0.08m | 1:02AM0.10m | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | 16 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 9 |
Feels °C | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 5 | -1 | 7 | 11 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 11 | SE 6 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 |
48 | 45 | 183 | 270 | 373 | 373 | 277 | 207 | 149 | 60 | 45 | 76 | 257 | 118 | 36 | 146 | 300 | 5361 | 3093 | 1832 | 1042 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 15 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | ENE 13 | SSW 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 |
1 | 47 | 80 | 100 | 83 | 56 | 35 | 35 | 21 | 11 | 93 | 22 | 21 | 254 | 172 | 17 | 145 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 9 | E 8 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 21 | S 20 | S 19 | SSW 18 | ENE 8 | SSW 20 | ENE 8 | SE 6 | SE 5 | ENE 9 | ENE 13 | — | — | — | — |
4 | 3 | 22 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 30 | 7 | 75 | 7 | 24 | 9 | 8 | 17 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | W 6 | WNW 2 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 7 | — | S 7 | SSW 10 | — | — | — | W 3 |
517 | 332 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 22 | 9 | 1 | 185 | 311 | 191 | — | 266 | 1193 | — | — | — | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 91 | 91 | 82 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 64 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 213 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 109 | 9 | 106 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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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 16 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.










