Surf Forecasts:
Riversdale surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, S swell with 2,371 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period with S 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 16 days are 2.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Riversdale over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
902 | 480 | 300 | 233 | 136 | 50 | 33 | 96 | 1336 | 1532 | 569 | 303 | 543 | 356 | 671 | 734 | 1256 | 1045 | 1009 | 1952 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:13AM1.27m | 12:38PM1.35m | 1:00AM1.25m | 1:24PM1.34m | 1:46AM1.24m | 2:11PM1.35m | 2:32AM1.24m | 2:57PM1.36m | 3:17AM1.24m | 3:42PM1.37m | 4:02AM1.25m | 4:27PM1.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:08PM0.29m | 6:21AM0.30m | 6:55PM0.31m | 7:07AM0.31m | 7:42PM0.32m | 7:52AM0.31m | 8:28PM0.32m | 8:37AM0.30m | 9:14PM0.31m | 9:23AM0.28m | 10:00PM0.29m | 10:09AM0.26m | 10:46PM0.27m | |||||||
— | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 16 |
902 | 480 | 300 | 233 | 136 | 50 | 10 | 96 | 1336 | 1532 | 569 | 303 | 543 | 356 | 671 | 734 | 1256 | 1045 | 669 | 1952 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | SSW 15 | ESE 13 | S 18 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 4 | S 18 | S 17 | ENE 5 |
64 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 38 | 133 | 17 | 162 | 13 | 17 | 2 | 298 | 1009 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SW 13 | S 17 | SSE 10 | NE 7 | — | — | SSW 18 | ESE 13 | — | ESE 12 | SE 14 | — | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | — |
— | 6 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 2 | — | — | 31 | 18 | — | 15 | 8 | — | 15 | 16 | 13 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | NNE 5 | WNW 4 | NW 3 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | — | — | NNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | — | SE 4 | — | — | ENE 4 | — |
— | 2 | 8 | 16 | 7 | 16 | 33 | 28 | — | — | 6 | 5 | 11 | 4 | — | 4 | — | — | 13 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 0 | 0 | 159 | 80 | 217 | 168 | 235 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 0 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Wairarapa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











