Riversdale surf break

Riversdale surfForecast / Wairarapa / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Saturday 17 Jan 2026 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
16.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


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 Friday (Jan 23) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Riversdale in the next 12 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Fri 23rd Jan)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Best Surf 4PM (Fri 23rd Jan)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 24th Jan)16ft (5.0m) 11s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Tue night, strong winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Fri
23
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
S
1.9
S
2
S
2
S
2
SSE
1.8
SSE
1.6
SSE
1.5
SE
1.3
SE
1.2
SE
0.9
SE
0.7
SE
0.7
S
1.1
S
1.3
S
1.2
S
1.1
S
1.7
ENE
1.6
ENE
2.1
ENE
3.5
E
Period(s) (?)78899887777714141413126678
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)24347054661360345731824218914371511924946634953442072164561703
Wind
(km/h)
20
SW
25
SSW
25
SSW
15
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
15
SE
10
SE
15
SSE
10
SE
10
ESE
15
ENE
25
ENE
30
NE
35
NE
40
ENE
40
E
35
WSW
30
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:49AM
1.37
5:09PM
1.25
5:34AM
1.39
5:54PM
1.26
6:19AM
1.41
6:39PM
1.27
7:04AM
1.42
7:24PM
1.27
7:48AM
1.43
8:09PM
1.28
8:32AM
1.43
8:54PM
1.29
9:17AM
1.43
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:30PM
0.30
11:08AM
0.31
11:15PM
0.29
11:54AM
0.29
12:01AM
0.26
12:40PM
0.27
12:46AM
0.24
1:26PM
0.25
1:31AM
0.22
2:11PM
0.23
2:17AM
0.21
2:55PM
0.21
3:03AM
0.20
3:40PM
0.19
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Fri
23
Sunrise-6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--6:07--6:07--6:09-
Sunset--8:47--8:46--8:46--8:45--8:45--8:45--8:44
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
---1------------31735--
Temp. °C151616141415141515141515151717171816181718
Feels °C (?)11111011910101112111212131413131310171314
  • 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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